“I love magic,” I heard myself whisper.
Warner, bless his heart, led us straight to the pizza. I set my drink down on the counter and took two slices. If anyone was watching how fast I shoveled them into my mouth, I really didn’t care. I was starving. When I finished inhaling my slices, I went to grab my drink only to realize I’d made the biggest rookie mistake. The cardinal rule of drinking as a girl:
Do not set your drink down.
I groaned. There were like a million people between us and the potions.
Lennox chuckled. “What is going on over there, B?”
“I set my drink down,” I said with a sigh. “Now I can’t drink it. I looked away.”
Lennox reached into her pocket and pulled out a vial…then poured its dark contents into her drink. The black and white swirled around but did not mix.
“The potions have intense spells on them to prevent drugging of any kind, even from potions and charms.” Her eyes shimmered and her smile turned sad. “A few years back, some dumb boys pulled a fast one on a girl, and Timothy lost his ever-loving shit. The guys had their magic revoked for a year, then when they got it back, were on heavy suspension and supervision by Timothy. No one has played around since.”
I opened my mouth then shut it. I didn’t know what to say to that.
Lennox picked up my cup and handed it to me with a wink.
Part of me was still hesitant…but Lennox hadn’t led me wrong yet. Besides, if I felt weird at all, I could text Tegan, and she’d be here in a flash. With that safety net in place, I lifted my cup and took a sip. She was right—it tasted exactly like Coca-Cola. Interesting.
I grabbed another slice of pizza and turned to watch the party around me while Warner bounced from counter to counter eating everything. It really was the coolest party I’d ever seen. Every single flat surface was covered in crystals and candles of varying size and color. Large wooden picture frames floated around the rooms, stopping every few feet. Each time it stopped, a group of people jumped in front of one and posed. There was a flash of light, then it would move on.
I nudged Lennox and pointed to it. “Is that for pictures?”
“Yep. Charmed to send the photo to any cell phone within a foot of the frame.” She took a bite out of a sandwich. “Pretty neat, right?”
I nodded. It was pretty damn neat. Magic was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.
Tegan needed to see this.
I pulled out my cell phone and shot her a text. Hey, this is just a party. Everyone seems to be having fun. Y’all should come over. There’s pizza.
“Bettina!”
I jumped and looked up to find one of my classmates standing in front of me with two younger boys beside her.
I licked my lips. “Yeah?”
The girl pointed to the boys. “These guys are looking for The Coven, so I told them you’d know.” Then she turned and bounced off.
“Oh…” I frowned. “Okay. Who are you?”
Did I send that text too soon?
The boy on the left was a few inches shorter than me. He had dirty blond curls and emerald green eyes. He waved awkwardly. “I’m Peabo Mason.”
“Right, because that means anything to her?” The other boy rolled his gray eyes. He looked the same age, but a tad wilder. Granted the short brown mohawk and black ring tattoos around his wrist might’ve been to blame. He looked at me and smiled. “I’m Atley Carrier. You’re Bettina Blair, right?”
My phone vibrated in my hand. I looked down at a text from Tegan: PIZZA?! I.Am.Coming.
I narrowed my eyes on the boys. “Why do you know my name?”
Atley shrugged. “You’re Tegan’s best friend from Charleston. She told us all about you. We’re friends with The Coven.”
Peabo nodded. “Yeah, we’re from Tampa where they were all living.”
“Oh. I see. Gotcha.” I smiled. They seemed to be telling the truth, but I had to be sure. “Let me text her and tell her you’re here.”
Neither of them seemed concerned at this idea. Which was a good sign.
Hey, T. There’s 2 boys here asking for y’all. Say they’re from tampa. Then I snuck a picture of them and sent it as well.
Three bubbles popped up immediately. ATLEY AND PEABO!!!!!!!
My eyes widened. So you DO know them?
YESSSSSSS. OMG yay. They’re fam, B. Tell them we’re on our way and not to leave your side.
I chuckled and shook my head. “Okay, Tegan says, and I quote, ‘they’re fam, B. Tell them we’re on our way and not to leave your side.’ Soooo…yeah.”
Atley, the one with the tattoos, grinned. “Your friend is such a weirdo. I love it.”
“Did someone say weirdo friend?” Lennox leaned in and held her hand out. “That’s me, Lennox Ward, at your service.”
Warner rolled his eyes and turned to me. “It’s like you attract the strange ones.”
My phone vibrated again with another text from Tegan. Guard the pizza. I want it.
It refills itself….magic…. I sent back with the crystal ball emoji.
She responded with the smiling face with heart eyes. I LOVE MAGIC.
I sighed and looked around. Me too. Me…too.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
BETTINA
“It’s too bad we can’t see the dance floor from here,” I said and pointed toward the white wall standing in our way. “People-watching is my favorite pastime.”
Lennox arched one eyebrow then pulled her wand out. She narrowed her eyes at the wall, then flicked her wrist a couple times…and the wall disappeared.
She grinned. “There. Better.”
My jaw dropped. “How did you— Ya’ know what? Never mind. Magic.”
Peabo shook his head and frowned. “Man, they’ve been holding out on us. We need to start Edenburg soon.”
Atley sighed and put his hands on his hips. “Oh, we’re definitely moving here like next semester. I wonder which Suit I’d be.”
“I thought we wanted to be Swords?” Peabo asked, his frown deepening.
Atley gestured around wildly. “Yeah, but look at all this. Look what she just did. I might want to change my mind and be a Wand.”
I chuckled. “That’s what I wanted, too. But I got Swords.”
Both boys spun toward me with wide eyes.
“You’re a Sword?” Peabo asked in awe.
“Yeah…?”
Atley shook his head. “That’s awesome. Devon is a Sword, and she’s a legend. I bet you will be, too.”
That made me smile. These boys could’ve passed for fourteen or fifteen, just in the maturity in their eyes and the way they carried themselves. But when they spoke, their age showed—twelve. Plus, they’d already told me how old they were when Warner asked.
“Thank you, Atley.” I pointed to his wrists. “I gotta say I’m surprised to see tattoos on a kid your age.”
Atley’s face lit up. His eyes sparkled. He looked down at his wrists and grinned. “Back in August, when The Coven found the Hierophant’s locket, they had to guess who the new Hierophant was…and I was their first guess.”
My eyes widened.
“I wasn’t, of course,” he said with a smile and flushed cheeks. “But it was an honor they thought I could’ve been. The Goddess gave me these bands. They mean She thinks I’m worthy of the honor, even if I haven’t been given it.”
Wow. I blinked. “That’s…incredible.”
“Thank you.”
“Yo, WARNER!”
We all jumped and turned toward the sound…just as Trey emerged from within the crowd. His chocolate brown hair was as disheveled as always, but otherwise, he looked put together…and kind of angry.
Trey shook his head and pointed his finger at Warner. “Lucy, you got a lot of explainin’ to do!”
Warner cursed. “Man, I don’t even know with my life anymore.”
“The other stuff? Man, can’t blame ya’ for that.” He gestured around us. “But you didn’t even tell me you were goin
g to a party?”
“I’m sorry, dude.” Warner grimaced. “The Emperor sent us over here to make sure this party was legit. We just got here a few minutes ago. But yeah, I should’ve called you.”
“Him?” Genevieve said as she bounced up. “How ‘bout me?”
“Or me.”
I glanced over my shoulder and found Harlan stuffing brownies in his mouth. “Y’all are right. We should’ve texted you. We just were only thinking about our orders.”
Gen smiled and shrugged. “Nah, just givin’ you a hard time. You had a rough night. We’re just glad you’re okay. Can I finish that?” She pointed to my drink.
I handed it to her. “Let me tell you how much I’d love a few days to just go to class and not fight for my life or—”
The crowd gasped. Music cut off. Everyone froze in place…and stared at the front door.
I frowned and followed their gazes.
Tegan stood just inside the entrance with her twin and The Coven behind her. Well, at least the teenagers. I didn’t see any adults. Or Tennessee, for that matter.
No one moved. No one breathed. Everyone just openly stared. Silence echoed around the room. Tegan glanced left and right, then back again. A round speaker ball floated in front of her face. She looked at it, and the thing froze in place. The crowd gasped again. Her eyebrow rose.
They think they’re in trouble.
They think The Coven is here to punish them.
Tegan flicked the bottom of the speaker, and Ariana Grande’s new song “Thank U, Next” blared from all of the speakers.
The party exploded and closed in around them. I just laughed and shook my head. This was one of those moments where I was perfectly happy to blend into the background. I leaned back against the counter and waited. The rest of my crew was engaged in a riveting interrogation of Atley and Peabo about what it was like growing up with The Coven.
A few moments later, the crowd parted in front of us and The Coven popped out.
My eyes landed right on Jackson.
Because they hate me.
The others went straight for Atley and Peabo. They hugged and high-fived, ruffled the boys’ hair a ton. And I saw what Tegan meant—these two were family to them. But I paid them no mind. I was too busy watching Jackson greet his friends. He moved down the line of us, starting with Harlan and Gen, then on to Trey, Warner, and then he got to me, and my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
He gave me a high five, exactly like he’d done with the others, and the quick brush of his skin on mine was complete torture. Then he cleared his throat and smiled a small, completely platonic smile. “You did great tonight. Thanks for saving Warner.”
I smiled back, but I knew it came out all wobbly. “Thanks, and of course. That’s what friends do.”
He nodded then walked away. I sighed and looked up to find Tegan standing right in front of me with one eyebrow arched. My face fell, and she cracked up laughing. Great.
She leaned in and hugged me, whispering in my ear, “You okay?”
“Yep. I’m great,” I whispered back as she pulled away.
Liar, she said into my mind.
I smiled and pretended like I was watching the rest of The Coven settle in to the party. Cooper walked by and gave me a flirty, cute little wink that I prayed Tegan missed. A party surrounded by a ton of people was not the place I wanted to talk boys with my best friend.
But I’ll let it slide since we’re at a party and we had a long night.
“Gee, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She leaned around me and grabbed a handful of potato chips. “I’m starving.”
I shook my head. “Where’s Tenn?”
Tegan opened her mouth then closed it. Her mouth curved into a devious grin, then she spun around to face the front door. “Here,” she whispered.
I frowned. “I don’t see—”
The people on the dance floor hissed and jumped apart, scrambling to get out of the way. Tennessee prowled through the crowd without missing a beat. It was like Moses parting the Red Sea. No one wanted to be in his path. And I couldn’t blame them. The power rolling off of him made the air pulse with electricity, and the glowing magical orbs floated toward him like he was a magnet. He glanced left and right once with narrowed eyes as he walked, but then I knew he’d spotted Tegan because his whole expression lightened. The glyph at the center of his chest sparkled.
I was too caught up in watching everyone else’s reaction to Tenn’s arrival that I didn’t look away before he grabbed Tegan by the throat and kissed her more passionately than was probably appropriate for the middle of a party with literally everyone watching.
Cooper groaned. “Booooo!” He tossed a huge handful of popcorn at their faces. “Ain’t nobody wanna see that.”
“OH.” Easton threw his left hand up in the air showing off the Lovers VI Mark on his arm. “ME. I do.”
Cooper made a disgusted sound and tossed a cup of popcorn on Easton’s head.
I laughed.
Lily rolled her purple eyes. “He does love to watch.”
“We all have our vices,” Deacon said with a laugh and shook his head. “Which reminds me, Coop, man, we really gotta get you a girl.”
Lennox turned to me and wagged her eyebrows. My cheeks warmed, and I knew I was blushing. The girl could not play it cool. I rolled my eyes and looked away…and my gaze landed on the exact thing I didn’t want it to.
Jackson.
My heart did that stupid flutter it always did when I saw him. My chest burned until I reminded myself to breathe. I knew I should’ve looked away for the sake of self-preservation, but it was too late. That ship had sailed. He looked too good. His golden bronze hair was stylishly disheveled, like he’d been running his hands through it. Those aquamarine eyes twinkled like stars. He still wore the same dark blue jeans and navy long-sleeved shirt he’d had on during the fight, and I liked the way it hugged his biceps.
He held a plastic cup of shimmering white potion and a handful of pretzels as he strolled back toward the rest of the group. His eyes met mine for a second and held for longer than my erratic heartbeat could handle. Just when I thought I might spontaneously combust, he pulled his gaze away…and let it travel down the length of my body. Every inch of me warmed under his attention. As he approached, his gaze slid all the way back up to my face. The smoldering look in his eyes took my breath away.
He paused right next to me, close enough that I felt the heat radiating off his skin. His Christmassy scent invaded my senses. He met my eyes and licked his lips, then leaned closer and whispered, “You are breathtaking this evening.”
I shivered as his breath brushed along my face and neck. “Th-thanks.”
But he’d already walked away, leaving me rattled and gasping for air. Bloody hell. What are you trying to do to me, Lancelot?
Thirty torturous minutes later, I couldn’t stand it any longer.
And by it, I meant me and my stupid emotions.
You are breathtaking this evening.
Doesn’t he understand what that compliment does to me?
The worst part was, it took seeing the glowing white of his soulmate glyph on his chest to remind me of why I was avoiding him. I didn’t know why I kept letting myself forget that major detail for even a second. He hadn’t. I’d heard him ask Tennessee when he could go look for her, so it wasn’t like he forgot. And that when was probably upon us now. Joseph and his shadows had taken a huge hit. Eden was safe, at least for now. Tegan said they’d find their way in eventually, but she thought it might be a while.
Which meant by morning, Jackson would be off to find his soulmate on Crone Island.
I chugged my second cup of white potion drink then pushed off the counter. The Coven had commandeered a nook consisting of three sofas, and even though he was on the farthest sofa from me, he was still too close. I could still see his face, and hear his words with that beautiful, soft accent.
I need air.
Lennox lo
oked over and nodded. She pointed to my right. “Door at the end leads to a cozy balcony terrace thing. Go check it out.”
“Thanks,” I said softly, even though I’d only meant to think that and not speak it.
Even more reason to go out there for a few minutes.
I glanced behind me at Tegan, and she and Tennessee were standing in front of the pizza supply eating it as fast as it could appear. No one else dared go near them. The sight of them scarfing down pizza and sneaking kisses between bites made me smile. Even if it hurt to watch at the same time. It wasn’t her fault my heart hurt over Jackson, and besides, I was genuinely happy for my best friend.
Tennessee was everything she needed. Tegan was the strongest woman I’d ever met, and most guys wouldn’t be able to handle that. But Tennessee loved her because of that. He let her shine, encouraged her to be her best badass self. That was why he was chosen as her soulmate.
I just wished I could’ve been that person for Jackson.
Which was kind of ridiculous to think, since I barely knew the guy. It’d only been about three months since we met. Lennox probably assumed it was just a crush, except it was so much more than that—even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself. Not that admitting it mattered. I still felt it every time I looked at him.
I sighed. I really know how to enjoy a party. Guess that white potion doesn’t relieve heartache. I shook myself then slipped away from the group and headed toward the door Lennox pointed to.
When I pushed the door open, a cold gust of air slammed into me. I sighed. It was like a glass of water on a hot summer day. I hated that a boy got me all heated and bothered. Especially one I couldn’t have. Shake him off. You’re at a party.
I glanced around and then smiled. ‘Cozy balcony terrace thing’ was a perfect description. It was a good sized space, about the size of my dorm room. On the left was a black iron railing that overlooked a cozy-looking yard with lots of colorful landscaping and a pit for bonfires. To my right, up against the wall of the house, was one big sofa with big puffy pillows. Over my head there were thin wood beams that had colorful flowers and green vines covering it. There were a few little lanterns with flickering golden candle light. It was something out of a fairytale.
The Coven - Academy Magic Complete Series Page 63