“Or both, but either way, you were involved, which means you’re powerful enough for an affinity,” Belle said with a casualshrug. “It’s just about figuring out the key to unlock your magic from wherever it’s bloomed and hidden. It makes sense tome that not every witch and warlock accesses their energy through the same paths. I have zero doubts that you’ll get there.”
“Love you,” I told her, and I really meant it. Her unwavering support meant everything to me. Even with Trina and Olivia,friends I’d known for most of my life, there was a distance between us. It was probably more my fault than theirs, since Iwas content to hang with my family, but I didn’t feel that distance with Belle. Or Sara and Haley, if I was being honest.
“Love you, babe,” Belle said, her face all soft as her eyes grew shiny. “All of you guys.”
“Same,” I added.
“We love you too!” Haley said, getting in on the love. “If I swung that way, I’d totally wife one of you up.”
I cracked up but couldn’t disagree with her. Warlocks were drama, but unfortunately for me I wasn’t even a one on the bisexualscale.
“Come on, future wifeys,” Sara said, “I’m starving. Let’s get some dinner.”
Haley groaned, “Holy shit, I hope they have the lasagna.” She clutched her paperback to her chest, and I noticed it had adifferent cover to the one I’d seen her with yesterday. Today’s was mostly black, with a foiled skull and hissing snakes nearlyjumping off the page at me.
“You and your pasta obsession,” Belle said with a shake of her head. “Meanwhile, I’m hoping eggplant parmigiana is the specialof the night.”
“Also Italian,” Haley sniped back, before clearing her throat. “And delicious. I’ll have it also.”
My favorite remained the salmon sushi, but I enjoyed those other two dishes as well. Weatherstone was not letting us downin the food department, that was for sure. Nothing would ever be Mom’s home cooking, but it came close here.
The buffet was crowded, so we waited our turn, and as if the goddess herself heard us, all our favorites were there tonight.Even Sara’s, which was steak and mashed potato. “They’re too good to us here,” she moaned, shoveling in another forkful ofcreamy potato. “What the fuck is even in this food? Crack?”
Laughing around another delicious bite of sushi, I startled when a hand dropped on my shoulder. “Oh shit!” Jenna backed upa step. “Sorry, Pais. I know you’re still a little jumpy.”
I was, but not for reasons that she expected. Sure, the attack might still occasionally add a new dream into the sex rotation,but it was more the feeling of being watched that had me on edge.
“All good. Did you eat already?” I asked her.
Before she could answer, Alice, Trevor, and Jensen all strolled over, and I was staring up at my four very protective siblings.“Yep, already done,” Jenna said, ignoring them. “We’re about to head down to the Barracks. Did you want to come?”
I hadn’t had a chance to meet their familiars yet, what with all thealmost dyingdrama, and I knew I should, but I had so much homework waiting for me. “I wish I could,” I groaned. “I’ve got three assignmentsthat I have to deal with tonight. Rain check?”
Jensen swooped in and kissed my cheek. “Baby Sis, you work too hard. I’m feeling neglected.”
I shoved him away with a scowl, even though his puppy eyes were adorable. “You’ve been swimming every night, J, and not alwaysalone, I might add. I think you’re doing fine. I was waiting for Dad to organize a family trip home, but until that happens,we should have lunch on the weekend.”
“It’s a date,” Jenna said sternly, before they all pat me on the head like their puppy and leave the dining hall.
Sara let out a sigh. “As an only child, can I just say that I hate you? I mean, as previously established I love you, butI also hate you, because that was just too sweet.”
Lifting my last piece of sushi, I raised my eyebrow in her direction. “Look, I love them more than fucking anything, and I’dkill and die for them without a second thought, but let’s be real here... they’re giant pains in my ass.”
“Would they be related to you if they were anything less?” Belle said, spooning the last bite of eggplant into her mouth. “Siblings are put on this Earth to break us down to ourfoundation, forcing us to rebuild ourselves into a stronger version. It’s how the species survives.”
Sara shrugged. “Maybe I was already my strongest, most perfect version. Hence no need for siblings.”
All of us laughed and Haley threw a spoon at her, which Sara dodged.
After dinner, with assignments in mind, I decided to check out the library. I hadn’t been to that building yet and neededto do additional research for Defensive Spells for Beginners. The professor tasked us with finding the best overall defensivespell that could be used in under ten seconds.
The girls were already up-to-date on their homework, so I walked through the halls alone. Halfway along the Zoo, I rubbedat my neck to ease the tension building and fought the urge to glance behind me. I’d already done that ten times, and thehall was completely empty. There was no sign of a stalker, no sign of danger, and no reason I should feel a dozen eyes onme.
Maybe the attack had had more of an effect on me than I’d thought. The physical injuries were healing but the mental oneswere digging in deep. Creeping from my dreams into reality was playing dirty though, and I wondered if I should talk to someoneabout it. I’d give myself more time to work through it, and if it didn’t ease up, I’d see about talking to the healers.
When I reached the library, using my paper map because I didn’t have Belle, I examined the building from the outside. A standalonestructure close to the Barracks, it used to be a religious shrine to Hecate and Selene, before the chapel was relocated intoa larger building in 1927. Since then, this old shrine became the library.
It wasn’t wide but it was clearly long, and as I ascended the dozen steps to reach the front doors, I found myself curiousabout what it would be like inside. I might not be a reader, but as I opened the double doors and stepped through, a sense of peace eased my tension.
