Taz approaches us and shrugs.“You mustn’t be afraid to get a little creative with magic, mate.”Like always, his cocky smirk has my blood boiling.
“Whatever.You were prepared because you watched me do it first.”I frown and cross my arms, but he steps closer to me.“And I’m not your mate.”
“If that’s what it takes to help you sleep at night, Lulu.”Taz looks me up and down with a challenging gaze, and anger burns in my chest.
“My name is Luther.And I will do better than you this year.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Before I can fire back, one of the glowing butterflies lands on my nose.I step back in surprise, and moments later, several other butterflies land on my shoulders.
Taz laughs, and I grumble.“Unsummon these shits,” I mutter.
“I don’t know, I think you look quite pretty this way.”He can barely talk through his laughter, and I frown again.
Holding my palms together, I focus on the magical energy in my immediate proximity.After closing my eyes, I concentrate.Alchemical properties…butterfly versus basketball…
When I open my eyes, the butterflies get pulled into the area between my palms.In moments, there’s a basketball in my hands.
“Good job, Lulu.One day, you’ll be as good an alchemist as me.”Taz smiles, and I don’t miss the way his blue eyes shine.He looks like a clear sky day, beautiful and perfect…
This, of course, infuriates me.I shove the ball into his chest, and the surprised noise he makes is gratifying.
“I’ll be better than you at anything.I swear it.”Before he can say another word, I stride away to join the rest of the class as they watch Girish attempt the same exercise.
(Now)
“Yo, Devries.”I holler at the man sitting at a library table.This gets his attention, but the librarian wizard gives me the stink eye, and I flinch.I point my thumb behind me, and Taz flips his blond bangs and stands up.
In moments, we’re in the hallway, and I don’t bother slowing down as he strides next to me.“Where to, Lulu?I mean, Agent Westbrook.”
“Quebec.Unknown dark magic activity at some farmhouse.”
“Oof.Do you think it’s another possession?”
“Unclear.Which is why they’re sending four of us there.”
“And I’m one of the four?”I can hear his cocky grin even though we’re both striding down the stairs.
I haven’t told anyone about what the monster revealed to us in New Mexico last week.Since we’re alone in the stairwell without any earpieces, now is the perfect time to confront my former academic foe.Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I turn around, forcing Taz to freeze in place.
This, of course, brings his crotch to my eye level, clad in those sinfully tight gray trousers.Focus, Luther.
“Westbrook?”he asks.
“What the hell was that in New Mexico?I thought you had my back.”
He looks away, his arrogant mood immediately dissipating.“I…I like…panicked, or whatever…”
As I glare at him, it takes five seconds until he makes eye contact.“Bullshit.”
“It’s true!”he argues.
I want to push further, I want to take apart the mystery of Taz Devries and put him back together, and I want more answers.Most of all, I want to ease him of his troubles.I want him to trust me and let me in.
With the heat coming off his toned body in this tiny stairwell, I want a lot of things from Taz.Oh, what he and I could do in a bedroom…
Clearing my throat, I shake my head.“Fine.But if shit goes sideways, can I trust you in the field?”
