Chapter 145: The Reasons Why, Part 2

He resented.

Prior to this, Jay hadn't once displayed any brazen signs of open hostility. Not even when after having been caught red-handed in the act. Even then, the Magus stayed mostly civil, mostly polite, slightly peeved, maybe… but never, ever vexed.

Anger wasn't an expression I thought I'd see on such a friendly face. Hadn't know him all that long, but I can tell with confidence his eyes were really not meant to glint the way they did.

Only for a moment, gone in an instant, a flick of a switch, just like that - he resented no longer… but resented he did.

Resented me.

I pretended I didn't see anything, just a trick of the light refracting against his cracked lenses… it was the only I could have kept my voice steady as I said to him as nonchalantly as I could, "I don't remember stealing anybody from anyone."