Free The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

carefully. She had never seen him look more solemn. All the humor drained out of him, and his mouth, usually so quick to smile, had drawn into a tight line. “Maybe I don’t tell you everything, Don. We all have secrets. I just learned that today.”
    She bit her lip. Dammit, this was something she would not be able to stand; there was no way she could go on without Navin beside her. But he was right. She had kept secrets; maybe too many of them for their friendship to survive. She had always believed that she didn’t have a choice—the Order had its rules, and she’d followed them because … well, because that’s what you do when you grow up among the alchemists.
    But of course, now she knew an important but painful truth: the choice had been hers all along. Donna had chosen to follow the rules.
    That choice could cost her the most important person in her life; it could cost her Navin.

After Navin had gone, Donna lay on her bed listening to the familiar sounds of her aunt clattering mugs and plates in the kitchen. She reluctantly contemplated putting in an appearance for tea, not really wanting to face her aunt while she was still so confused about everything.
    She was supposed to be doing homework, but there wasn’t a chance she’d be able to concentrate on Hermetic Literature with everything that had happened since last night. Swallowing hard, she tried to think about something else, something comforting and normal.
    The fact that Aunt Paige was making afternoon tea seemed ridiculously mundane in light of recent developments. They usually spent some time catching up on Sundays—time that didn’t have anything to do with either Donna’s education and training or her aunt’s work. Paige was very busy during the week and often away on Saturdays, meaning that Sunday was the one day they really got to spend quality time together.
    Donna’s mind wandered back to the conversation with Navin. Not only had she broken one of the Order’s most sacred vows, but she’d involved her friend way more than was safe. She’d pretty much spilled her guts and told him everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but a lot . She still hadn’t shown him her hands and arms, but no doubt that would be next.
    She remembered the carefully controlled expressions of shock on Navin’s face while he listened to her, and the way he’d looked at her before he left. The disappointment and the worry—and the darkness in his eyes that said he almost didn’t recognize her—would stay with her forever. That look, especially, was completely her fault. Just as she’d been allowing herself to believe it might be okay, that Navin was handling things well, she’d pulled away from his touch. He had finally asked her about her hands—something he’d never pressed her about—and she’d shrunk from him.
    Some friend I am , she thought.
    Her phone beeped and she grabbed it from the bedside table. She hoped it meant Navin was okay and not going completely nuts just thinking about all the things she’d told him. But the number on the display was unfamiliar. Donna frowned. It wasn’t like many people sent her text messages.
    Holding her breath, and suddenly getting a clear mental image of intense green eyes, she read the message several times before she could fully take it in:
    Please meet me for coffee. We need to talk. X
    For one crazy moment, Donna thought the message had been signed with a kiss. Then she remembered that “X” was Xan’s initial. Duh .
    She bit her lip and tried not to get too excited. Or too nervous. So he wanted to meet—it didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t like it was a date. Her hands felt clumsy as she fiddled with the phone and wondered what she should say in reply. Then she smiled and began to type.
    I thought you were going to CALL me? I call this texting ;-)
    The reply came back within seconds:
    I find it easier to take rejection in writing …
    Her grin widened and she couldn’t stop a delicious, warm feeling