Free Perfectly Reflected by S. C. Ransom Page B

home, that no one else decides to try to use you as a way out of this existence.”
    “What about Olivia? Surely she can be trusted? And Matthew?”
    “I suppose,” he agreed grudgingly. “But I can’t see how I can keep you completely safe when I have to spend so much time gathering.”
    He was right. He couldn’t be with me all the time. I felt my shoulders slump as we walked along, then straightened up, not wanting to be defeated. “But, Callum, we can’t be scared by how dangerous all this is.” I gestured to the amulet on my wrist. “We can’t spend our time worrying about the next attack.”
    “There’s always Matthew’s idea,” he said in a quiet voice as we negotiated the pedestrian-crossing at Ludgate Circus. I was distracted by a stray cyclist who seemed intent on ignoring all the signals, so it wasn’t until we reached the other side and started walking up Fleet Street that I processed what he was saying.
    “What do you mean? What idea?”
    “Throw the amulet away. Hurl it back into the river where it can never hurt you again. If it’s off your wrist and far away you’re at no more risk from us than anyone else. It’s only being close to it that makes it dangerous.” His voice had got louder, more vehement.
    We had reached a little side road so I walked down it, off the main pavement, which was full of tourists, and into a little oasis of calm. “Listen,” I hissed, holding up the phone microphone to my mouth for the benefit of some nosy passers-by. “I’ve told you before. That’s not an option. I’m not going to give you up, whatever the risk!” I turned towards the wall and fished the mirror out ofmy pocket. He was at my shoulder, looking particularly stubborn. “If you were in my position, would you? Would you choose never to see me again, just to keep yourself safe?”
    “It’s not the same!”
    “Of course it is! It’s not going to happen, all right? Now can we think of something else?”
    “I just want you to be safe. More than anything. I couldn’t bear it if you – well, if anything happened to you. Not again …” His voice tailed off and I could see his eyes were focused in the distance, remembering. I reached up and tried to stroke his cheek.
    “Then help me find a way to make this work! None of you can hurt me physically. I just need to learn to resist if someone like Lucas tries again.”
    I could see his strong arms folding around me, trying to protect me. I wished it were that simple, but I smiled back as encouragingly as I could. Finally he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His reflection held me tighter and kissed the top of my head. I felt the lightest of touches, then he rested his cheek against my hair, sighing. “You’re too stubborn for your own good,” he murmured, defeated for now.
    I relaxed a little, trying to feel the whisper of his arms, and wishing that we had had the opportunity to meet at the top of the dome where he could really hold me tightly. I took another quick peep at his face and was surprised to see him scanning around as if he was looking for something.
    “What’s up?” I asked, concerned that maybe the others from St Paul’s had been following us.
    “This place – I don’t like it here. It doesn’t feel right.”
    I turned away from the wall to consider the little side road. At one end was bustling Fleet Street, at the other an old stonegateway. Beyond was a ramp up to an old wooden door, open to show the cool interior of a church. Above was a huge spire. The sun made the white stonework glisten, and it was almost painful to look at after the dark gloom of the narrow pavement. It was beautiful. “I can’t see anything wrong.” I said. “In fact, it’s rather peaceful.”
    “I don’t like it. Come on, let’s go.”
    There was clearly going to be no argument. I put the mirror back in my pocket and turned to walk back up towards the bustle and the noise. Callum was beside me, his fingers lightly brushing mine as