Cold Burn of Magic(97)

But I’d been hurt, too—horribly so—and I didn’t want my heart to be broken again. Not even for someone as all-around cute, charming, and wonderful as Devon Sinclair.

Devon waited until Felix had handed over my black leather belt, and I’d buckled my sword around my waist again, before jerking his thumb over his shoulder.

“Come on,” Devon said. “Let’s go home and get cleaned up.”

He and Felix turned and headed out of the square. I followed them, but something made me stop and look back over my shoulder. Thanks to my sight, I easily spotted the tree troll staring at me through the leafy branches, his green eyes brighter and more wary than ever before, as if he knew about some lurking danger that I didn’t. Our eyes locked, and once again, the creature’s worry, fear, and dread made my heart sink, my stomach churn, and a cold chill slither down my spine.

I shivered, dropped my gaze from the monster, and hurried after my friends.