Walker shifts uncomfortably as people around us turn to gawk.
“Since we are mourning the loss of two members of our school, we will be holding a memorial for them this Friday at the Palladin Hall at 7pm. Attendance is not mandatory but encouraged. Classes are due to resume this afternoon as normal. I know I could never dream of measuring up to the greatness Headmaster Hayden was known for, but I hope to do him justice by carrying on his life’s work.”
The dark part inside me feels giddy at those last words, flipping over in my chest. I grip at my breastbone, rubbing the sensation away. I really needed to get answers about my magic, and fast.
The assembly ends, leaving the students in a hurry to get to their classes. I decide to skip my next period and head over to the library. I need answers, and the best place to start looking is in a book.
I spend hours pouring over the books I pulled and I still haven’t found anything that sparks something inside of me. My body feels keyed up like a live wire from all the powering up Walker graced me with the night before, but I don’t know how to expel it. When I think back to when I touched the veil, I just knew instinctively what to do. But now? I haven’t the faintest clue about what to do, or even what to look for.
I glance down at the various books on the occult, on witches, and on purgatory. I’ve read so many fucking words tonight it feels like my head is going to explode. My eyes ache and my back burns from hunching over the desk. I am unaware of the odd angle I am sitting in, engrossed in finding something that can help me, until my neck pings with tension.
Fucking hell that hurts.
I roll my shoulders and stretch my neck, feeling the frustration rise inside me.
I know that I could reach out to my family and ask them the millions of burning questions that plague me, but I don’t feel ready to open that can of worms. For all I know, my grandma really did try and kill me, and mom’s never been much help unless she needs something from me.
“Library’s closing.”
I jump, not expecting the librarian to break the silence. I glance over her shoulder, checking the clock that’s mounted on the wall behind her. Shit, it’s far later than I anticipated.
“Sorry.” I follow her squinted eyes to my pile of books. I quickly gather them into a neat pile and place them onto an empty cart. She glares at me like she’d love nothing more than to follow behind me with a cowbell yelling, “Shame!”
I shove my notes into my bag and walk carefully on my feet. I wonder if I can learn how to heal myself with this power rolling through my veins. I still feel keyed up and ready to burst, wishing I knew how to focus it.
“If you need more books on this subject, might I suggest visiting Madame Leroux in town?” The librarian mentions as she takes my stack of books to her dangerously high pile on her desk.
“Madame Leroux?”
“She owns The Tea Spout in town, and she has more books than we do about all this nonsense. I’m assuming it’s for a project?”
“Oh, yes. Yep. School project.” Smooth Salem, I think to myself. Lying has never been my strong suit.
I pull out my phone, ready to dial the school transportation, when Walker comes through the door wearing his leather jacket that makes me want to climb him like a fucking tree. I feel my pussy clench at the sight of him, his hair looking windblown as it hangs over his scar and his jeans hug him tight enough that I can see an outline of his cock.
“Those pants are obscene.” I say with a smile which he returns.
“We’re closing.” The librarian calls out sternly, her scowl firmly back in place. Man, she switches from hot to cold so quickly.
“I’m just here to pick her up.” He says with a grin, his eyes not leaving mine. I catch the librarian roll her eyes and murmur something about privilege.
Walker grabs my bag and offers me his arm which I graciously take. He walks me out to his bike, handing me a helmet which I yank on, eager to go for a ride.
The sun has already set, and the moon hangs low in the sky casting a dim light around us, gleaming off the metal. Watching him mount his bike makes him look like a harbinger of death, ready to dole out his sentence to those that cross him. He’s dangerous and full of darkness, harboring a literal demon inside of him. But I don’t care.
A normal girl would have run after learning the people she’s living with are possessed, but not me. Maybe I’m broken, because instead of running I’m walking towards him, knowing the Wrath that lives inside him. I’m not scared, instead, I feel safe. I know that even though he carries this darkness with him, it’s only a piece of who he is.
He starts up the bike, the engine roaring to life and scaring a flock of birds out of the trees next to us. I hike my leg up and over, nestling my body into his until there’s no space between us. The cool wind bites at my face as he speeds away from campus. I let my arms fall away from his middle, enjoying this moment of freedom as I raise them high above my head to the heavens. Sparks gather at my fingertips, my self-control slipping as my excitement rises.
Anyone looking at us would think that I was holding two sparklers in my hands as we careen around the sharp corners of the road that winds the coast. He’s taking the long way back and I don’t mind.
I relish it.
I need it.
Walker brings the bike to a stop near an overlook and my hands stop sparking. We sit looking out over the dark water. The moon dances across the ocean waves. The water slaps the sand rhythmically as the wind whistles through the trees. It’s calming.
I bury my face in Walker’s neck, pushing my hands under his shirt for warmth. He places a hand on top of mine as we sit in comfortable silence, enjoying this moment of peace.
