torment at a distance

Rowan's mood had gotten low since Elara's funeral and the drama with Lysander. He also had to take a week off to help his dad in another city, so he had no time to see anyone else.

He was too busy to hang out and, more frustratingly, too busy to stir up his usual chaos. And even once he returned to Veridion, Asuriel and Vaerion were doing their own thing and couldn't come to see him, either.

So, he had to call up another friend to hang out with on his day off – and he knew just the girl. Just because he was unable to see Asuriel in person, that didn't mean he couldn't cause problems for her from a distance.

And what better way to make up for lost time than to tell a little half-truth?

Rowan was good friends with Cassie, a regular at the Lounge and a well-connected tabloid journalist. She was sharp, charming, and always searching for an exclusive scoop.