Revealed (Unbound, Book 5)

Chapter Six

Neither of us said a word as we parked in front of a family-style restaurant.

Calin pulled into a stall, shifted to park before shutting off the ignition, and then sat back. He stared ahead and then looked down, fingering the teeth of the key to his car. Whatever anger he'd had before entering the parking lot seemed to have dissipated but the air within the car was thick, oppressive. I watched him for a few minutes, waiting for him to speak, and then turned to look out the window.

I'd offended Calin.

In trying to avoid being hurt by Calin, I'd caused him pain.

I sighed and rolled my eyes up to the ceiling of the car before closing them and counting to ten. When I first came to Wickenton, I'd tried to steer clear of Calin for my own sake. Now, I wondered why I hadn't stuck to that for his benefit. I might not have discovered what Maible was to me—or it would have taken longer—and I definitely wouldn't have found my connection with Briarville again if Calin hadn't taken me, let alone have an escape from the Manor if his mom didn't let me stay with them. But if I had kept Calin at bay, he wouldn't be hurt.

Six months ago, I'd correlate this with the bad effects magic has on someone's life.

Now, I only had myself to blame.

"We should go inside," Calin said suddenly, and I nearly jumped as the silence cracked.

"Calin—"

"Not now, Nora." Calin shook his head but didn't look at me. "Let's go inside and talk about the rest later."

Calin opened the door without waiting for my response and started to get out.

I licked my lips and nodded, quickly blinking.

Less than a minute later, I was composed enough to follow. Calin had waited for me in front of his car but began walking away as soon as I came to his side. For the first time, he didn't hold the door open as we entered the building, his hand noticeably missing from the small of my back, and I felt worse than if he'd yelled at me.

The exterior of the building had blended with the row-style shops, and I hadn't bothered looking to find out the name of the restaurant. Inside, however, was cozy. Dim lighting hung over booth-style tables edging the walls with two long tables holding court in the center. Everything was decorated in earth tones, with the fabric on the booths a mix of green and brown swirls.

"There's Brant," Calin said, waving toward a booth near the back of the restaurant.

"And Maible," I whispered and started forward, ignoring the sign for us to wait to be seated.

I nearly tripped over my own feet when I felt Calin's hand on my back, the relief popping the balloon of hot air trapped in my chest. Out of the corner of my eye, I snuck quick glances at Calin, but he never once looked my way. A small pressure built in my chest again, this time filled with a different kind of warmth. One I wouldn't have ever felt if I hadn't let Calin work his way past my rejections. I started to doubt my decision but then the thought of his possible reaction after learning about Zachariah. What I had yet to discover created an ache in my stomach that caused an empty, nothing-can-ever-fulfill-me-again pain that was a thousand times worse.

If the thought of that was this bad, it would be unbearable if it happened.

In comparison, I could handle Calin being upset with me if we had the chance to move past it once I returned.

Maybe, if I was honest about my reasons, he would even understand.

Pasting a smile to my face, I lifted my head and focused on somehow getting through to Maible. Afterwards, I would talk to Calin and be more transparent. If he cared, he would at least try to understand or—as my mother would have done—respect what I want. I hoped.