He shook his head and I headed to the music room. I don’t know why, since all I really wanted to do was finish my work and never look at Magnus again. Because I … I had kissed him. And he had kissed me back. He’d said he wanted to be with me. Knowing he was committed to someone else.

I found him sitting on a sheet-covered couch, holding a cup of coffee. Kelela was across the room, searching the bookcase. I sat on the couch across from him. I probably could’ve used some of the coffee on the table between us, but my stomach was fluttering so much I didn’t think I could keep any down.

“I looked Tom in the eye today,” he said, his voice quiet and frightened.

I glanced at Kelela, who had her back to us, still searching through the small library of music, then whispered, “When he caught us in the hall today?”

“I was so distracted, I didn’t hear his footsteps. I should’ve looked away. I knew better.”

“He must’ve heard your bells. I’m sure he looked away in time.”

“Maybe.” He sounded unconvinced.

My gut sank into knots. I didn’t have much choice, did I? I would have to go out into the halls during the Waking if I was going to keep Tom from … vanishing. If that’s really what was happening.

“Let me deal with everything, okay?” I said. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“You’re such a godsend, Andromeda. I hope you know that.” Magnus sipped his coffee and then leaned forward on the couch, forearms resting on his thighs. “I’m struggling tonight.”

I swallowed a painful lump. “I’m sorry.”

“Is there a cure? With an amulet?”

“I’ve never known an amulet to work on depression.”

“Is that what this is?” he asked, staring into the blackness in his cup. “Depression?”

“Maybe you should cut the evening short.”

He shook his head. “Esjay and Kelela come from so far to see me. I’m grateful for the company.” The coffee rippled as he moved to set it down on the table, and I reached across and grabbed the cup to steady it. My hand rested against his. His skin was soft, his fingers trembling, and more than anything I wanted to toss that stupid cup out of the way so I could hold his hand. I felt foolish for wanting that.

“Stay, Andromeda.” It was more of a question, tonight, than a demand.

“Of course.” I pulled my hand away, taking the coffee cup with me.

“I found it!”

Kelela’s too-loud voice jolted me upright, and I nearly spilled the coffee, steadying it just in time.

“This is the song I was talking about,” she said, holding out a music book to Magnus. “You play, I’ll sing.”