Page 52 of Innocent Until Proven Witch

I set the cloth aside. "You went alone."

Finn looks entirely unapologetic. "Yes."

"That was stupid."

"Probably."

His smile returns briefly, then disappears, because neither of us is actually amused. The implications settle heavily between us. Someone is operating beneath Moonhaven, someone with enough confidence to establish a base beneath the harbor, someone who nearly caught Finn.

I sit back slowly, the realization crawling through me. "They knew you were there."

Finn nods. "Almost immediately."

I stare into the fire, thinking, and the answer arrives before I want it to. "We're being watched."

Silence. Finn doesn't argue, doesn't dismiss it, which means he's reached the same conclusion.

I rise and move toward the window. Outside, darkness blankets the cliffs, the sea crashes below, the lighthouse stands alone. Yet suddenly it doesn't feel isolated. It feels observed. The thought freezes me.

Finn notices. "What are you thinking?"

"If someone finds you that quickly, they either patrol constantly..." I hesitate. "Or they already knew where you'd look."

The silence that follows lasts longer. Finn's expression hardens. Neither possibility is comforting.

Eventually he exhales. "I hate when you're right."

"I don't."

His laugh escapes unexpectedly, the sound easing some of the tension. Not much. Enough.

I glance toward him. The bruise along his jaw is already darkening. "You should stay here tonight."

Finn opens his mouth. I raise an eyebrow. He closes it again.

"Good decision," I tell him.

"Was I given a choice?"

"No," I say, and his smile returns, small, genuine. The bond settles warmly between us, not demanding, simply there—a quiet reminder that neither of us is facing this alone.

The next knock comes shortly after sunrise. I frown immediately, and Finn looks up from the table, his expression mirroring mine. Neither of us is expecting visitors. Especially after last night.

The knock comes again, measured, patient, nothing like Finn's desperate pounding on the door. I move toward the entrance, Finn following.

The moment I open the door, surprise flashes through me. Aldric stands outside.

He smiles. "Good morning."

My confusion must show on my face, because his smile widens slightly. "May I come in?"

Every instinct tells me no. Unfortunately, refusing would only create questions. I step aside, and Aldric enters the lighthouse, his gaze briefly sweeping across the room, taking everything in, including Finn. That catches my attention immediately. Aldric doesn't seem surprised to find him here.

Finn leans against the table. "What brings you here?"

Aldric folds his hands, the picture of concern. "I wanted to check on both of you."

I blink. That is not the answer I expected. Apparently Finn didn't expect it either, because he raises an eyebrow. "Us?"