“You really went all out.” Trixie giggled as the shop door closed behind us and a gush of wind weaved past us.
I flattened a palm against my thigh to stop my skirt from flying up as we walked past a few small shops that lined the stone street.
Fate Hollow had a small market on the outskirts of campus, and it was only about a fifteen minute walk.
The road to the market was a barren one, and even when we made it to the shops, there weren’t a ton of them. It was a quaint area, and I had to admit that I liked it. Just like in the academy, there were a ton of different supernaturals.
Unlike at the academy, I did notice a few not-so-pleasant looks from supernaturals higher ranking than me. I was more than thankful Trixie was here.
I sucked in a breath as I pulled the bags closer to me. “These herbs were too potent! I couldn’t just turn them down.”
“You know that shop is there all the time. You could’ve just come back to get some.”
“But I have ideas for the salves now.” I rolled my eyes playfully, putting a skip in my step. “And besides, I’m shocked at how affordable they are!”
Giggling, she picked up her pace. “I will say they have the best student discounts around.”
The shops became scant as we left the market, and we kept going down the road to the academy when we ran into four men walking the opposite way. They fanned out, blocking our path.
Trixie and I stopped, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
They smelled like shifters, but I couldn’t place their subspecies. Each of them had dark, greasy hair and wore similar cold expressions that sent icy spears through my chest.
My flight or fight instinct was high, and it took a lot of effort to keep my feet planted on the road.
“What do we have here?” the one in the front with the leather jacket asked.
“Two pretty girls,” one who wore a beanie answered.
“Girls who seem lonely,” another guy with a blue shirt answered.
“We’re not lonely. We’re just fine, thanks.” Trixie moved in front of me a bit before sparks of magic danced on her fingertips.
“Aw, don’t be like that.” The last guy with the red shirt pouted before stepping forward.
I growled behind Trixie, and the guy’s gaze cut to me and he smirked.
“You’re a tiny little thing. I was interested in the witch because she seems like she’d be fun, but you look like you’d be more interesting to corrupt,” he said.
Fear splintered my heart, and Trixie stepped fully in front of me as her magic danced up her entire arm.
“Back off,” she said without a trace of fear in her voice.
“Or what? There’s four of us and two of you. Do you really think the odds are in your favor?”
“Dude, she’s a witch,” one said.
“And look at their uniforms.” the guy in the red shirt smacked the other guy’s shoulder. “They’re from our academy.”
“I don’t give a fuck!” the leather jacket guy shouted, and the one in the red shirt stepped back. “We’re not on academy grounds so the bullshit rules don’t apply.”
“What are you planning on doing exactly?” Trixie’s magic continued dancing up her arm, the blue light illuminating the road.
“I just want to play,” he told her, stepping forward and reaching his hand toward her.
My skin crawled as another growl tore from my throat, and Trixie zapped the guy with her magic. It blasted him back a few steps before his face reddened and his mouth twisted into a sneer.
“So that’s how you want to play?” He snapped his fingers and the guys started to circle us. “I’ll make sure I show you extra attention.”
