I knew that I couldn’t do this for some convenience. If I did it, I was committing to stay with her for the rest of her life.
I couldn’t do it just to solve a problem we were having – and it only solved our part of the problem.
Discrediting Fitz wouldn’t help if it had actually been a shapeshifted Tyz’vel, but I found myself heading to their office after school anyway. I stood opposite it, my hands in my pockets. Kanesha had gone home to talk to Mike.
Might be our last chance. Either he would be in jail or Thruor would make him disappear. And then we might not see her again either.
I felt as if everything was coming to an end, crashing down around me. None of it could be salvaged or saved.
He wanted me to hate him. I was trying my best not to, because that was letting him win.
Except he already had. This round. Not the war, but this battle. An attack I hadn’t expected.
How did I fortify myself against the next one? Short of breaking off with Kanesha and isolating myself – which would only, I thought, make me more vulnerable.
I still thought I wanted to discredit Fitz. And there he was, coming out of the office. I focused on not being noticed.
It didn’t work. Tyz’vel’s influence, perhaps, or maybe I was not concentrating properly. Odin knew I had good reason for that.
Our eyes met. He crossed the street towards me. “Ms…Rudi, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry about your situation, but you know it can’t stand.”
I studied him. “You ever spent any time in a DC group home?”
“Better than living with a murderer. Especially for your…do you consider her a sister?”
I shook my head. “Absolutely not. But he’s not one.”
“We have multiple witnesses to say otherwise.”
“You and they are being fooled.” I studied the man. Sharp features. There was intelligence in those eyes. Would he believe or would he be one of those who freaked out?
Could I take the risk with Tyz’vel’s influence like a net over him? Then I heard footsteps. Familiar footsteps. I turned slightly, not wanting to take my eyes off of Fitz.
Father William. A sight for sore eyes.