Rory scowled and stomped toward the balcony doors, every inch of his skin crawling, his blood and bones complaining.

Behind Rory, Gwen whispered, “The magic really is unpleasant. Maybe we should give him a moment outside. Ellis and I can go downstairs; I could use the space myself.”

“None of us have eaten for hours,” Jade said, just as quietly. “What if Zhang and I find something, bring it back? Arthur, would you like to join us?”

“I think I should talk to Rory,” Arthur said.

And normally Arthur’s voice would make Rory feel better, more anchored. But Arthur had secrets again, secrets about his aura, which was full of Rory’s magic.

Rory didn’t want to talk to Arthur. Not when Arthur wasn’t willing to talk back.

“I really would give him a moment by himself, Arthur,” Gwen said. “At least wait until the magic dissipates.”

“No, it’s okay,” Arthur said. “Maybe I can make him feel better. Even if I can’t, I want to be here for him.”

Rory fell back to the morning only weeks ago in Manhattan, Arthur over him on the bed, between his legs, their soft kisses and whispers as friction built between them.

Ace, you being here for me—you don’t know how much that means.

I am here. Maybe one day that won’t surprise you anymore.

Rory ground his teeth together and reached for the balcony doors.

There was more muttering behind him, then a moment later, the lounge door was closing across the room and Arthur’s familiar presence was right behind him.

“Ellis is a useless asshole,” he said supportively. “Come on, it’s terribly stuffy in here. Stand on the balcony with me and cool off.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Rory gripped the balcony’s rail tightly with both hands. The smoking balcony was barely wide enough to stand and four stories up. The rooftops of Paris stretched out in front of them, never-ending city lights that reminded him of the white-capped waves of the open ocean.

“We can try again,” Arthur offered.

“It was bad enough the first time, like getting tattooed on every inch of my skin and bones,” Rory said crossly, moving over toward the corner of the balcony. “I don’t want to go through it again.”

His pain and frustration were rushing to the surface, unstoppable as water coming to a boil. “Why didn’t Ellis listen to me? I get magic, more than anyone else besides Gwen. Why does everyone keep treating me like I’m some idiot kid?”

“You’re not—”

“You do it more than anyone else!”

Arthur looked hurt by that. “I don’t,” he said.

“Oh yeah?” Rory said, with bite. “How come Gwen and Ellis know there’s something wrong with your aura and I don’t?”

Arthur took a sharp breath.