Logan was propped against the fence of the graveyard, long legs out in front of him, his head tilted back to the energy. Mybreath caught in my chest, bringing forth another stupid cliché, because I knew there was no literal way for air to get caughtin my body from the mere sight of a godlike warlock. And yet, what other explanation was there? Even my heart beat in a differentpattern. I hated the sensation that Logan was remaking fundamental parts of me.
Remaking me into what was still to be discovered.
“See you soon,” I whispered, sucking in a deep breath and hurrying over to the spellcaster.
He opened his eyes long before he heard me coming and met my gaze. In the moonlight, his features were shadowed, the handsomeplanes hidden in the darkness, giving him an ethereal look. “How does your power feel?” he asked, that rumble of his accentdeeper than usual. I choked on a gasp as I felt the first crash of his power against mine. I’d forgotten the intensity.
I’d forgotten a lot, it would seem.
“It’s like electricity,” I said in awe. “Everything is buzzing.”
He nodded. “When your spellcaster abilities are fully unlocked, that’s how you’ll feel all the time. Like you’re plugged intothe world’s energy.”
It was scary in a way because plugged-in meant no limits.And no limits meant I had to always be careful with how I used my energy.
Logan pushed up from the wall, and before I could get started with my questions he strolled right into the graveyard. Hesitating,I hovered at the junction of the gates, aware that with the return of the energy there was a return of that feeling of unease.
But I needed answers.
Not more than I needed to be alive, obviously, but Logan had never hurt me. If anything, I wouldn’t be standing here if hehadn’t been with me multiple times, so there was no safer place in Weatherstone than by his side.
Sucking in a fortifying breath, I followed him into the darkness, the moon lighting a path between the stones. At first, Icouldn’t see Logan, but eventually I found him standing over a nondescript grave. It was just a flat stone, with flowers concealingthe name until I stood right above it.
“Kingston,” I whispered, desperate to reach down and shift the roses. “Your family?”
He didn’t look my way, staring down at the stone. “My great-great-grandfather. We are Weatherstone legacy.”
Legacy were those who contributed to making the college into what it is today. There were the two founding witches to start,but plenty came after them.
“Why did you not go to school here as a freshman?”
His chuckle was dark. “Amusing that you think anything in my life is my choice. I’m the dutiful son. Born to tragedy, andI’ll no doubt die the same way.”
That ominous feeling traced down my spine, less intense than usual, more like a drip, drip of fear. There was a metallic tastein my mouth, and I worried I’d royally fucked up in trusting Logan. “What does your father want you to do with me?”
That got his attention, as he lifted that enigmatic gaze from the headstone and met mine. “Why, destroy you, Precious. You should know that.”
I took a step back, and Logan shook his head, chuckling with less force. “Not tonight. You’re safe tonight. What do you wantto ask me?”
Safe tonightwasn’t exactly reassuring, but he wasn’t attacking, so I decided to plow ahead.
“Did your dad get mine suspended?”
The tilt of his lips was all smirk, and I fucking hated when he was all sharp edges and broken pieces. “He did not. He’s prettyupset that wasn’t his doing. I think you’ll find the culprit for that is a little closer to home.”
Blinking at him, I tried to understand what he meant. “Who?”
“I can’t give you all the answers, but it’s worth checking in with the ones you trust. Someone told their daddy about theparty, and he’s decided that the Hallistars need to go.”
Someone.The headmaster said it was a powerful and influential family, and there was only one option for that amongst those I consideredfriend.Belle.Belle who was bonding with her asshole of a father.
Breathing deeply, I pushed that anger aside and got to my next question.
“Okay, so what is it that ties you and me together? I mean, we’re clearly enemies.”
Despite wanting to remain calm, I found myself getting more and more fired up. Belle’s betrayal, while unintentional—I had absolutely no doubt of that—set off the panic and worry over my father once more. Then this stupid reaction to Logan, all while the energy ramped upmy magic until I wanted to burst.
The crystals burned against my chest, and I had the feelingit had been a mistake to wear them outside on a night like this. A night when Weatherstone was bathed in the energy of All Hallows’ Eve.
