Page 12 of Movers and Fakers

“I’m studying, actually, so I can’t talk right now.” Trying to let her down easy, I add, “Maybe I’ll see you later.”

“If you need a study partner, you should have asked! I’m a great partner.”

Her sultry tone makes me want to cringe, but I hold it in.

“I’m sure you are, but I’ve got one already,” I reply, and gesture to Aurora.

Aurora crosses her arms, a slight smirk playing on her lips. I widen my eyes, pleading with her to help me out. She seems satisfied to sit back and watch me suffer, so it surprises me when she speaks up.

“What’s your name?” Aurora asks the woman.

“Mckinleigh,” the woman replies, looking down her nose. “And who are you?” Her voice is far too loud for the library, and draws eyes because of it.

“His tutor,” Aurora replies flatly.

Mckinleigh turns her attention to me, still holding my hand hostage.

“I—”

Aurora cuts her off. “Do you understand the logical difference between an inclusive OR and an exclusive OR in regard to truth claims, Mckinleigh?”

Mckinleigh blinks.

“What?”

“Because if you don’t, then you’re not going to be a good partner for Hayes,” Aurora continues, her tone scathing. “You’re only going to waste all of our time.”

Mckinleigh opens her mouth, then closes it.

“I really should get back to studying,” I say, tugging my hand out of her grip.

She frowns but relents in the face of Aurora’s dark expression.

“I guess I’ll talk to you later,” she mumbles, and I nod, even though I have no intention of seeing her again.

Mckinleigh leaves, and the silence in her wake is loud. I clear my throat.

“Thanks,” I say.

“I didn’t do it for you. If I want to follow through on the contract, I need all the time we have,” she replies.

Her words remind me of everything that’s at stake if I fail. Getting cut off. Losing the Shadow Ring. Starting a future I’m nowhere near ready for.

“It won’t happen again.”

It doesn’t look like she believes me. The evidence is stacked against me, after all.

“Did you even know her name?” Aurora asks, judgment lining her tone.

“I did at one point,” I hedge.

She shakes her head and looks down at the textbook.

“Let’s get back to work.”

So we do, but the entire time I can’t help but feel like I disappointed Aurora. I’ve never cared about anything like that, but it stings a little when it comes to her.

Chapter seven