He sounded so casual and at ease that hope sprang into Wave’s heart.Maybe her prayer had truly been answered, and he didn’t know about Hellion.
“Sure,” she hurried to answer and moved to walk by his side.The streets in this part of the campus were pretty narrow, but even and well-maintained.She focused on Jarred and asked, “What are you researching at the moment?”
“Moon tides and their magical effects.Quite boring, I know.”
Wave bit her lip.To her, there was nothing boring about moon or tides; part of her power ebbed and flowed with them.But there wasn’t anything she could say in the matter, so she just hummed her agreement.
“How are you adjusting to your life here at Tracthesian Academy?”Jarred asked.
“It’s different for sure,” she admitted.
“How so?”
“The food is better,” she blurted.Slowly, a smirk spread over Jarred’s lips.
“It’s a wonder you’ve had time to eat any of it.”
And there went her hope that he didn’t know.Wave took a fortifying breath before she glanced at him under her lashes.“Yes, well.The little I’ve had has been delicious.”
“Are you flirting with me, Ms.Spinwell?”He held his heart in a mock outrage, and Wave pulled out her best poker face.
“I would never dream of such indecency, Mr.Whitfurst.I resent you for implying such things in my presence.”
For a second, worry flashed over his features, and the corner of Wave’s lips tipped slightly.That was enough for him to catch on, and with a playful smirk, he lunged at her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest.It was a very fine chest and she had a hard time trying to convince herself to even try pulling away.When his breath tingled against her neck, she lost the battle and stayed in place.
“Whatever will I do with such a willful student?”he whispered into her ear.
“I have no idea,” she murmured back.Despite everything, it felt good to be held in his arms.Jarred nipped her earlobe teasingly, and Wave stifled a moan.This was not what she’d had in mind for this lesson.
“You intrigue me, Ms.Spinwell.”
“You frustrate me, Mr.Whitfurst.”
“Well, now that we have that out of the way… Are you free this evening?We could go grab a bite to eat after the tutoring.”
“We could skip the tutoring,” Wave suggested.She didn’t have anything planned, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.
“No.”Jarred released her and continued walking.“I plan to make sure you’ll be around even after the Hell Moon.”
“What’s so special about it anyways?”
“It’s the time when Hell Realm and ours align enough that our moons cross.”
“How does that affect our world?”
“Firstly, it causes power surges.Those can have unexpected effects, hence the shielding requirement for this trip.”
Wave nodded.Power surges could be dangerous on their own, but she had no idea what the moons crossing would do to her siren powers.Mother had never mentioned anything about that, and it was a bit too late to ask now.“Where are we going for the field trip?”
“Rock’s Top.It’s high enough that we’ll be able to see the moonrise even if it’s cloudy.”
“Couldn’t someone just push the clouds out of the way?”
Jarred glanced at her.“In theory, but again, those pesky power surges.Simple things turn tricky if one hits too close.”
“Ah, yeah, I didn’t think of that,” Wave agreed.
“Besides the power surges, the portals, all of them, between hell and here are open during that time.Tracthesian Academy is arranging a family night of sorts for all of our demon blood.”
