“Your magical signature changed,” Kashvi continued, studying Ramona with calm curiosity. “I felt it last night. There’s something threaded through it now. Like a connection.”
“What kind of connection?” Felix asked, delighted. He was one step away from tapping his fingertips together like an excited movie villain.
“I’m not sure. It’s…” Kashvi tilted her head. “Unusual. Old magic, maybe? But active. Like it’s still forming.”
“That’s so romantic,” Cammie sighed. “Like a soulmate bond or something.”
“Okay, all right, that’s…” Ramona paused, because if Kashvi was picking up on the tether, she needed a cover. What could she say?No, it’s not a soulmate bond, I’ve accidentally bound a demon to me until we can figure out how to ritually sever our tie?It seemed that leaning into the facade was the only way to get them to stop considering it. “It’s just new, okay? And I don’t want to freak her out. So I need everyone to play it cool while we… you know, figure it out.” It wasn’t entirely a lie.
Felix’s grin widened. “Oh, you’re blushing.”
“I’m not blushing.” Ramona held her palms over her cheeks to hide any evidence that may be lurking.
Cammie grinned. “You’redefinitelyblushing.”
Before Ramona could defend herself, Posey appeared in the doorway, covered in soil and holding a wilting potted plant that looked like it had one leaf in the grave already.
“Are we talking about Ramona’s girlfriend?” Posey asked brightly.
“Kashvi says there’s a magical connection,” Cammie supplied helpfully.
“Ooh, what kind?” Posey asked, her eyes widening.
“We’re trying to figure that out,” Felix said, stroking Gerald’s head gently with a knuckle. “But Ramona won’t give us any details.”
“Because it’s new and I don’t want to jinx it.” Ramona tried her best to blush, which wasn’t hard, considering how deeply embarrassed she was already. “We’re taking things slow.”
“Ah yes. Slow with someone who sleeps in your tiny room,” Posey pointed out.
“And who Gerald likes,” Felix said with a coo of agreement from the pigeon in question.
“And she’s already magically connected to you,” Kashvi finished.
“How’d you meet?” Cammie asked, leaning forward like she was watching an episode ofLove Potion. “Is she a witch?”
“She’s definitely a witch,” Felix said. “She’s definitely magical.”
Kashvi tilted her head. “Howdidyou meet?”
They all looked at Ramona expectantly.
“Hey, darling,” Zara’s voice called out, and Ramona watched Poseyswoon.“Are you coming to bed?”
Four sets of expectant eyes — five, counting Gerald — swung to her with interest.
“Uh, yes. I’m coming,” Ramona said, and she thought she heard one of her roommates make a vulgar joke as she hurried down the hallway.
Ramona closed her bedroom door behind her, muffling their voices.
Zara was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Not in the chair. On the bed. Hands folded in her lap, posture perfect, expression carefully neutral in the dim light from the streetlamp outside.
“Please tell me demons have terrible hearing,” Ramona asked with an embarrassed grimace.
“I heard,” Zara said quietly. “That’s why I saved you.”
Ramona closed the door behind her, leaning against it. “Thank you.”
