"I don't care," she snapped. "If the universe wanted to punish both of us, then this is a pretty good start, but not if I can help it."
They stared at each other, without breaking contact. A glint flickered through the witch's eyes, but it was so fast that Alaric almost missed it.
Then, slowly, the spell faded from the ground. The symbols vanished into the dirt, and the heat disappeared.
"Go," she muttered, turning away. "Before I change my mind."
Alaric didn't move from his spot, even when his instincts yelled at him to grab her and pin her against the tree. "What's your name?"
She turned around to walk away, but stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "You don't get to know my name."
And with that, she disappeared into the trees.
Alaric stayed there, staring at the spot where she vanished. His hands curled into fists, and his chest felt tight. He didn't know whether to chase her or run in the opposite direction.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, falling to his knees.
