We moved around the students scattered across the grassy area and inside the massive chapel. The chapel itself was longer and wider than the library—aka former chapel—and easily housed the full four years of students and professors at Weatherstone. When we entered the building, a warlock with curlyred hair rushed right over to us, and I caught the distinct scent of lavender as he held a tray out to us. Along with a telltale sign of that pearlescent foam to indicate that they were serving witch wine.
“Seriously?” Belle gaped, looking at me.
I nodded. “I see it too,” I breathed.
“What in the love of Selene is happening?” Sara asked, already reaching for a glass.
The warlock’s grin was lascivious, and it bothered me. “It’s limited,” he drawled, “the glasses are spelled to look like regularwine, so don’t mention it, okay?” The smarmy wink at the end was not needed. We already got he was a creep.
We picked up glasses, mostly so we could get away from him, and I took a small drink. I’d only ever had a sip before of myparents’ wine, and as soon as that burn trailed down my throat and heated my chest, I knew I needed to go easy.
If this was a prime time for another monster encounter, I couldn’t let my guard down.
The four of us strolled around the chapel, Belle and Sara downing their first glass of wine in gulps, while Haley followedmy example and gingerly sipped at hers. It was earthy, not like dirt, but filled with fresh herbs and an energy that I’d nevertasted before.
When I was half a glass in, I’d more than achieved my desired buzz, my stresses fading away. We explored all the energy insidethe glass-ceilinged chapel and then left the building to chat under the direct moonlight. The blue-tinged orb was huge inthe clear sky, the air crisp, as the landscape of the college tinted in shades of blue and black.
I let my head fall back, feeling the brush of preternatural energy across my skin. Weatherstone was a beacon for power, andevery time I set foot in this place, I found myself energized.
Terrified and energized.
“Little Gem!” I opened my eyes to find Dad and Jenna in front of me.
“Dad, what the freaking Hel are you doing here?” I rasped, before clearing my throat. If I didn’t calm my ass, he’d be onto the witch wine in seconds. He eyed me closely and I cursed myself, knowing it was too late. Leaning forward, he sniffedat my glass, recognizing the scent as I had.
“Witch wine,” he grumbled. “And on the night when I’m one of the warlocks on duty.”
I waited for his anger, and to have the wine swiftly confiscated, but he shocked me when he leaned forward and kissed me onthe forehead. “Be careful, sweetheart,” he whispered against my hair. “Go and have fun with your friends.”
Swallowing roughly, I stared at him. “You’re not going to confiscate all the wine getting around?”
He shook his head. “If I don’t see it, then I can’t know it’s there.” His wink was subtle. “I was young once. Limit yourself,though, and be careful.”
Jenna grinned. “Very careful, little sis. This is the bootlegged version. I think it’s even more potent than the usual stuff.”
Bootlegged, hey. That might explain that undercurrent of darkness.
Jenna’s hug was firm, an all-encasing hug that she’d been giving me for as long as I could remember. She wrapped up everypart of me and felt like home. As she released me, she was already falling into conversation with Dad again, the pair walkingoff discussing her coven choices for next year.
I found myself smiling like a weirdo who knew how blessed she was to have such an amazing family. Turning to find my friends, I locked eyes with Logan, who stood just behind mewith Noah, close enough to hear that conversation but not so close that I could tell if they were deliberately listening in.
My stomach tightened, and I wished I had no explanation for it, but I knew. There was a draw to this infuriating spellcasterthat I couldn’t explain. Not even my freshman year of college had cleared up any of the confusion. If anything, it was worsethan ever,
I took a hesitant step toward him, unsure what the Hel I was thinking, but as his jaw tightened and he shook his head, I groundto a halt.Wait.Nope. That asshole didn’t get to dictate when we talked. Or... engaged... in other activities.
I wasn’t his dirty little secret.
With another dark glint, he turned and walked away, and by the time my feet moved to intercept him and demand answers, therewas no sign of the powerful warlocks. Even if they were both taller than the general population of warlocks here.
Dammit.
You can run, spellcaster.But I would not let him hide.
I’d find him at some point tonight and we’d have this long overdue conversation. The witch wine had me braver and determinedto get to the bottom of the Logan mystery. This chick could only handle so many mysteries in one year.
Taking another sip, I was just under the halfway mark, and could most likely keep a nice buzz all night just from this glassalone. Of course, the best-laid plans often go off course, especially when one fumed about a warlock. A useless fucking mysteriouspowerful asshole of a warlock.
Two hours later, on my third glass of witch wine, I found myself buzzed to the point of sloshed, and there was only one personto blame.
