“Well...no.Nothing has worked.That’s why they are sending me to Blackthorn,” he said, hanging his head.
“They are sending you to the academy to get laid?”Norman asked, his voice elevated once more, but not enough to draw more than the attention of those in our general proximity.
“No!I mean, I’m going there to learn, to advance my magic and follow in the footsteps of those before me, but also...the exposure could be good for me.”
“Bigger pool of fish,” I said, shaking my head.
“You can not breathe a word of this,” he said hurriedly.
“Oh, don’t worry, Dezzy, I won’t,” I said with a grin.
“I’m just relieved you haven’t slept with her,” Norman said, shaking his head.“‘Cause if you had, I really don’t stand a chance.”
And as if fate herself could read our minds, that was the moment I looked up to see Violet, Wanda, and Delaney enter the doorway.
“They’re here,” I said.
“Shit,” Norman cursed as Desmond drained his pint.
CHAPTER11
Violet
When I walkedinto Cheeky’s with Wanda and Delaney, I couldn’t help but smile.Though pubs were not a place I usually favored, I couldn’t deny that the ambiance and the air inside the place were strangely warm and comforting.
Music filled the air along with chatter and everything smelled so good.But the minute I laid my eyes on Bane, sitting at the bar with Norman and Desmond, my heart warmed a little more.They weretalking.None of them were trying to kill one another, and no one was shaking beneath their human visage.They looked well and trulyfriendly.
The respite of retail therapy was not my cup of tea, though Delaney and Wanda seemed to have had a fruitful excursion, evidenced by the bags full of clothes and beauty products they were carrying.
We’d visited a few boutiques, none of them catered to my size.I hadn’t wanted to be a downer, so I kept my mouth shut and let the fairer folk shop until they dropped.
It wasn’t that I was jealous or envious of my friends.Far from it.But growing up, I hadn’t really encountered the girlfriend shopping spree experience before attending Blackthorn.Delaney and I had come here once, but we hadn’t gone shopping.Or drinking.
Bane met me halfway, almost instantly.
“I’m so happy to see you,” he said, leaning down to kiss my cheek, and I could not fight the blush.
Wanda grunted behind me as Delaney let out a swoon-worthy ‘aw’.
“I hope you had more fun than me,” he said, sliding an arm around me.His eyebrows furrowed as he looked from Wanda to Delaney to me.“Where is your bag of goodies?”
“Oh, I’m not much of a shopper,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow at me.“Are you hungry?”
I grinned at him.“Depends what’s on the menu,” I said coyly.
Delaney and Wanda had taken their seats at the bar.Desmond had given up his seat to Delaney, and Wanda had gracefully taken the spot Bane was sitting at.Thankfully, there were two open seats next to Norman, where Bane guided us.
“Well, perhaps we can start with the fish and chips and a pint and end it with your sweet, sweet?—”
“Well, well, look who it fucking is!”A familiar voice cut through the air.We all turned, and Bane’s smile instantly grew at the sight of its owner.
“Aiden!”Bane’s voice lilted as he slipped away from me, pulling his roommate into a hug.
“What the hell are you doing here?”Aiden asked.“Shouldn’t you be, like, on a honeymoon or some shit?”
“We are bound, not married.Not yet, anyway,” Bane said, holding the man out.
