As I packed my notes away, I found myself looking forward to the next lesson. Belle followed me as we left class, and I endedup strolling next to Marcus, of all warlocks.
“Better lesson than I expected,” he said, and I looked around to make sure he was talking to me.
He was.
“It was great,” I replied with a quick smile. “I love history,and even though Elemental 101 kicked my ass, it was amazing too.”
He let out a low, soothing sort of laugh. “At least you didn’t almost burn the school down.” A slight pink flushed his cheeks,but he didn’t sound embarrassed.
“At least you won’t have to form a coven with your desk and chair,” I offered.
He shot me a confused look but took the comment in stride. “One fear to cross off the list, I guess.”
Belle popped her head in then, smiling broadly. “I’m Belle,” she said brightly. “Water elemental.”
“Marcus,” he replied. “Fire elemental.”
He hesitated just a second before his response, and I wondered if he was thinking about all the other elements he’d managedto express today.
“Paisley,” I added. “Affinity unknown.”
Marcus shot me a nice smile. “The mystery is half the fun. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Paisley. Something tells me thatyou might surprise us all.”
When we exited the room, he peeled off, heading in the opposite direction to us with a brief “See you later.”
Belle met my gaze, eyes wide. “Did he just say he’s keeping an eye on you? Well, damn. Let’s bring him into the dining roomcoven. He’s hot and powerful—I mean, not Logan Kingston hot, but he’s also not trying to murder you. Big bonus points.”
“All the bonus points,” I agreed.
I’d initially dismissed him as a possible hookup, but I couldn’t deny that flicker of interest between us. A flicker couldfan a fire, and as we headed for lunch, I decided it was a maybe.
Chapter 11
Lunch was held in the dining hall, with a long buffet running right through the center of the tables. “This selection is amazing,”Belle said, eyes alight like we’d just been given free shopping trips with a limitless credit card. “I’m a vegetarian, andit’s usually so hard to find a decent selection.”
I tore my gaze from the mashed potatoes. “You ate a breakfast sandwich this morning.”
She shrugged. “What can I say, bacon is an evil mistress who won’t release me from her grasp. If bacon calls, I must comerunning. I’m a vegetarian with mistresses.”
I snorted. “Well, I hope they don’t find out about each other.”
Belle smirked. “I’d never be that sloppy. I can keep my affairs in order.” I had no doubt she could.
I was momentarily distracted by a tray of my favorite food: “They’ve got salmon sushi,” I gasped, before noting the next section,“and mixed fruit with yoghurt and honey. I’m in heaven.”
We made it to a table, plates overflowing, and since Jenna and Alice had the same lunch break, they found me soon after. “HasDad seen you yet?” Jenna asked after I’d introduced her to Belle. She reached out and stole a piece of my watermelon, shit-eatinggrin on her face as I glared and tucked the bowl closer.Nasty witch.
“Not yet,” I admitted, side-eying Alice too, though she rarely stole my prec—food. Asshole had ruined that word for me as well. “I don’t know what he’s waiting for, but I hope this means they’ve decided to let me stay.”
Alice nursed her cup of coffee, taking a drink. She had to have at least three cups a day or she’d show her uncharacteristiccranky witchside. “It’s got to mean that. There’s no way Dad would let you get established like this unless he was prepared to continueit. I saw him before class earlier and he looked relaxed, so I’d guess Mom voted for you to stay.”
Mom always had my back, no matter what, and I made a note to call her this afternoon when classes were done.
“Okay, we’re off to see Simon and Morris,” Jenna said, eyeing the rest of my fruit, so I picked up my fork and wielded itlike a weapon. “You need to come meet them soon.”
“I will,” I promised, waving the fork as one last warning. “Give them hugs for me.”
Alice dropped a kiss on my cheek. “Will do,” she said, and then she dragged the evil twin away, leaving me to enjoy my lunchin peace.
