“And Ember is over there,” Jensen added quickly. He pointed in the opposite direction we walked. “That’s where Trev and Iwill be. You know our room numbers, and if you ever need us, just come running.”
Pressing my lips together, I managed not to laugh at how they’d already formed my unofficial security detail. It was annoyingbut sweet, and I was well used to it. “I’ve missed you bossy assholes over the last few years.”
Trevor huffed out a laugh. “Don’t hit us with sentimental words like that, sis, we’re all on the verge of tears.”
They weren’t but they were smiling, and that felt almost the same.
We weren’t the only students heading for assembly, and as my siblings closed around me, a few curious glances shot our way.As frustrating as it was to get theyoungest siblingtreatment—Weatherstone was supposed to be my first real chance for independence and to find my own power—I’d take it if thealternative was staying home for another couple of years and delaying my life.
“I won’t go looking for trouble,” I reminded them, “and I have a pretty good head for danger. It’s going to be okay.”
They didn’t argue, but looks were exchanged between Trevor and Jenna, and I sighed internally. I knew that look,and just like with Dad when he made a decision and dug his heels in stubbornly, those two were the same.
In silence, we passed another intersecting hallway, and for the first time there was a barrier. A black curtain cordoned itoff from Aura, as if they were afraid a little sunshine was about to infiltrate their darkness.
As we moved closer, I shifted my position for a better look, hoping to confirm what hall it was. Before I could see anything,the curtain parted, giving me the briefest glimpse of very dark walls and carpet.
The others weren’t paying attention as two students emerged, but for the briefest moment my body went cold and then so blazinglyhot that I was helplessly fighting flames. My first indication that this wasn’t just a random encounter with students waswhen my brothers ground to a halt, and both shifted in front of me.
Dread settled in my gut as I attempted to see around Jensen’s broad shoulders.
“Don’t bring your blood oath here, Kingston,” Trevor rasped. “We have no beef with you.”
My world stopped. The tingles of energy down my spine ceased, and there was not a single sound. But I hadn’t mistaken whatmy brother said. Trevor had felt his power and he knew who blocked our path.
Kingston.
Logan Kingston.
Fuck.
Chapter 6
I’d barely been at Weatherstone for two hours and I’d already screwed up the part where I promised Dad I’d stay away fromLogan Kingston. Not that this was my fault; it was the fault of the asshole who’d stopped us in the hall. An asshole I hadno interest in seeing.
Liar.
There were times I wanted to tell my inner voice to fuck off, because I wasn’t about the truth right now. This was about stayingat Weatherstone, and more importantly, staying alive.
The spellcaster’s laughter was a delicious rumble, but there was no amusement. “Hallistars, always so arrogant.” His voicewas as deep as his laughter, with a slight accent that I couldn’t place. Ms. White had said he was transferring in from Italy,but there was more than one country in that timbre. “Why do you hide your youngest? Where is my best friend, Paisley Hallistar?”
His voice lowered overbest friend, leaving trickles of unease to settle in my gut. It took real talent to make pleasant words sound like a threat. It wasn’ta skill I possessed, and even as he terrified me, I had to admire his work.
Needing to know what I was up against, and about done with my brothers’ posturing, I ducked between them before they could stop me. With no more barriers between us, my gaze ended up locking onto a set of piercing green eyes. Thecolor was so light it was almost arctic, teaming perfectly with the chill in his expression as he stared me down. Swallowing roughly, all my fighting words died on my tongue.
The goddesses had let me down.
Logan Kingston had not developed a beer gut, crooked nose, or acne.
He was glorious. Absolutely glorious, and completely terrifying.
Taller than my brothers, he towered over the five of us with golden skin and artfully tousled hair that was just a shade lighterthan black. A slight smirk played around the edge of lips that were lush but decidedly masculine, and once again there wasno corresponding humor in his flat expression.
Realizing he was examining me as closely as I was him, I forced myself to stop running my gaze over his unfortunate perfectionand focused on the giant behind him.
It spoke a lot of Logan that I hadn’t even noticed his friend until now. A friend who was at least six feet six, with skina few shades lighter than his buzzed dark brown hair, and built like a linebacker. He hadn’t said a word, appearing both relaxedand neutral, but there was a coiled energy about him that told me if needed, he could turn from neutral to deadly in a heartbeat.
These warlocks exuded a darkly menacing aura, hidden under the guise of neutral expressions.
