I couldn’t help blushing. Ash knew all about my reputation on campus. “I… uh… yeah.”
“Well, tonight you’re all mine,” he replied, adjusting the red bandana tied around his head. It was cute the way it pushed hisdark hair back. “Everyone else will just have to watch and be jealous.”
I smiled, pulling him in tight against me. But my stomach was twisting as my nerves got the better of me. Going to a stoplight party wasn’t exactly the outing I had in mind. But Karrick had invited us to meet him and Phoenix there, so I couldn’t exactly say no.
Still, it was one of those places where people expected me to act a certain way, to choose one of them to go home with for the night. Usually, the whole party was guys trying to wriggle their way into my good graces. I wasn’t sure I wanted Ash to see that. Hopefully the red shirt would be enough to keep them at bay.
We reached the party house just as the sun was setting, the magical bass thumping through the walls loud enough that I could feel it in my chest. Students were already spilling out onto the lawn, red solo cups in hand, a rainbow of colored shirts mixing together in the crowd.
I felt Ash tense beside me as we approached. His shadows were more active than usual, swirling around his ankles in a way that made a few nearby students step back.
“You okay?” I asked, squeezing his hand.
“Yeah,” he nodded, though I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. “Just... there’s a lot of people.”
“We can leave anytime you want,” I assured him. “Just say the word.”
He took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “No, I want to do this. I want to know what it’s like to be a normal college kid.”
Gods, I loved him. The thought hit me with startling clarity, and I had to resist the urge to pull him into a kiss right there on the lawn.
“As normal as a magic academy can be,” I chuckled in reply.
We pushed through the front door into chaos. Bodies packed the main room, dancing and grinding to music that was way too loud. The air was thick with sweat and alcohol and magic that crackled through the space like electricity.
“Silver!” Karrick’s booming voice cut through the noise. I turned to see him waving from across the room, his massive hairy form unmistakable even in the crowd. Phoenix stood beside him, looking small and delicate next to the Beastkin.
We made our way over, Ash keeping close to my side. His shadows were definitely drawing attention. Several people stared as we passed, and I saw more than a few nervous glances in his direction.
“You made it!” Karrick grinned, pulling me into a one-armed hug that nearly knocked the wind out of me. “And you brought your shadow witch.”
“His name is Ash,” I said pointedly.
“I know,” Karrick laughed. “I’m just messing with you.” He turned to Ash, extending a massive paw. “Good to finally meet you properly. I’m Karrick.”
Ash shook his hand, looking slightly intimidated by the size difference. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And this is Phoenix,” Karrick said, gesturing to the witch beside him. Phoenix gave a small wave, his orange eyes warm and welcoming.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Phoenix said to Ash. “All good things.”
“Really?” Ash looked surprised.
“Really,” I confirmed. “You’re kind of famous around campus now. The shadow witch who can break through wards.”
Ash’s cheeks flushed. “I’d rather not be famous for that.”
“Too late,” Karrick laughed. “Want some drinks? We’ve got jungle juice that’ll knock you on your ass.”
Before I could respond, someone bumped into me from behind. I turned to find a werewolf I’d seen before wandering around the edges of these parties. He’d always had his eye on me, though I never took the bait. But this time… well, let’s just say he didn’t look like he’d bumped into me by accident.
“Hey beautiful,” he said smoothly, those golden wolf eyes glinting. “I was hoping to bump into you.”
“You did,” I replied, no small amount of sarcasm in my voice.
“Yes, I did.” His hand came to rest on my chest, a single clawed finger tracing the groove between my pecs. “Wanna dance?”
A shadow shot forward, wrapping around the werewolf’s wrist and pushing him out of the way. Ash filled the gap, placing himself between me and the wolf.
