Then it wouldn’t have been such a struggle to get them here.
My suitemate washed the baby powder off her arms, and her blue eyes caught my brown ones in the mirror. “Eh, it’s not that great, because whilethey’reobsessed, I’m less than enthused. They told me I had to enroll, though. Said it would be good training, no matter what I did with my life after the academy—which I can kinda understand. Also, they promised they’d pay for a college and a grad school of my choice . . . if I still wanted to go after Spellcasters.” Her pert nose wrinkled. “Like I would change my mind! Once I get out of here,no oneis changing my mind about applying for my dream archeology program.”
I blinked, taking in all the information Eva had shared. Apparently, my suitemate wasn’t at all shy. After realizing I was staring, I grabbed a washcloth off the counter and helped her clean up.
“Wait, a minute—” Eva’s head snapped up. “You’re Odette! The sign on the banister said your last name was Dane, right?” She turned off the faucet and began drying her arms.
“Yeah.”
“As in Deliverance Dane? From Salem?” Her voice rose excitedly as she spoke.
“A witch on my dad’s side,” I affirmed.
“Holy crap! This is so cool!” She clapped her hands together with academic enthusiasm. “I’m a descendant of John Proctor! Do you think our ancestors knew each other in Salem? I wonder if they were in the same coven? What do you know about Deliverance?”
I shrugged, and my long, brown ponytail fell over my shoulders. “Not much. To be honest, I don’t know the history of Salem well. Or much about my ancestry.”
Eva’s face fell, but lit up again almost right away. “I wonder if they did this on purpose . . .”
“What’s that?”
She gestured in the hallway's direction. “The other two are Wardwells. That’s a name from Salem, too. Köhler isn’t, but maybe Wilhelmina’s mom’s side was involved. The fact that four Salem descendants live on the same floor is odd. Being able to claim ancestry isn’tthatcommon among witches. It had to be on purpose.”
“So the other two are related?” I’d assumed so, but Eva seemed like she actually knew.
“Yup,” Eva popped the “p,” and it vibrated in the echoey bathroom. “Cousins. Both arrived with their parents the same time I did. It was afrostyencounter.”
Alex Wardwell’s irritated demeanor played in my mind, and I snorted. “I believe that.”
Eva cocked an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“I ran into Alex in the hall. I didn’t know how to get into my room, and he was atotalass about it.”
My suitemate waved her hand as if to say not to worry about it. “He was in a sour mood last night, too. They have family issues, for sure. His parents were screaming at Hunter’s. Alex and Hunter just sat there, staring at each other, all pissed off and brooding and hot.” Her cheeks flushed as she realized what she said. “I mean—if you’re into that.”
Alex’s muscular, trim form and crystalline blue eyes were too unforgettable to deny his hotness.
“Yeah, I get you. Why do all the good-looking ones have to be such a-holes?”
“Oh, if you think Alex is hot, wait until you meet Hunter. I talked to him earlier today while our parents were schmoozing, and he is sonota jerk.” Eva fanned herself. “He’sdreamy.”
I threw the towel I’d been using in the hamper. “I can’t wait until orientation to see for myself.” I wagged my eyebrows, and Eva released a peal of laughter.
A loud knock came from outside my room, and we both jumped.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Luggage,” a voice grunted.
I turned to Eva. “I’m going to unpack a little. Wanna explore later? Maybe we’ll run into Hunter.”
A sly grin spread across her face. “I like where your head’s at, Dane.”
I beamed at her. I liked where hers was at, too.
Chapter Four
My gut hurt from laughing so hard.
