“And now,” I drawled, readying the chalk. “Let’s compare that to the human power hierarchy.” Just as I was about to write, I halted and turned around. “Anyone wanna take a wild guess?”
The sea of eyes just watched me.
“No?” I shrugged, turning back to the board to write two words in bold:NO MAGIC.
I slapped my hand against the writing for emphasis.
“Let’s drill it through your heads right now. Humans have zero, zip, zilch . . .nomagic. Their only powers are social, cultural, and political—which, as it turns out, can be just as dangerous.” My mouth tightened with a regretful smile. “And we’ll dive intothatheadfirst next class.”
I wiped my hands clean of the chalk, scanning which students were taking notes. My gaze caught Finley’s, immediatelymaking me feel like I had a full bladder and the perfect excuse to slip away and disappear.
It’d been days since I saw him last—in the glade skinny-dipping with Breena and Aine—and even longer since I’d spoken to him alone. It was sweet of him to have kept checking in on me after the Dullahan attack, but I was too physically and mentally dismantled. I wanted nothing to do with rehashing what’d happened or answering any rabbit-hole questions. So I’d avoided him.
The sound of scraping chairs and rising chatter pulled me out of my thoughts.
“All right everyone, that’s it for today!” I shouted. “Don’t forget the reading for next week. And yes, it’s in the syllabus. As it’s always beenall year.” I pointedly glared a warning at my usual suspects. “There’s only a few weeks left. Make it count!”
Once the class dispersed, I slung my bag over a shoulder, about to push the wooden door open when—a large hand gripped the top. A tall, handsome figure appeared.
“Ya didn’t really think I’d let you slip by me, did ya?” Finley said, an unfairly charming grin splaying across his face.
20
CARWYNN
He wasn’tin his usual swanky Luckmen attire—fitted suit, an occasional cap, and those criminally sexy suspenders. The signature uniform for Lochlainn’s thugs? Mobsters? Dogs?
No, today he chose to wear something far more dangerous. Fitted dark pants and a green shawl-collared sweater. Casual, fuzzy-soft, painfullyadorable.
I was tempted to pinch his cheeks. Though which ones, I wasn’t entirely sure.
“Hey, Fin.” I pressed my lips together, fighting the sheepish smile creeping in.
“Hey, Professor,” he teased. “Can I walk you home?”
With a whisper of thanks, I stepped through the door.
“I’m actually headed into the city,” I said, swiping a stray hair out of my face. “Wanted to catch Lochlainn and see if he’d give me access to his collection today. It’d be a huge help with the research I’m working on.”
“Oh, all right.” Finley smiled, but I didn’t miss the crease in his brow. “I’m happy to escort you, if you’d like. Unless youwere hoping to go—” A shadow of a frown appeared. “—aloneto see him.”
One decision, that’s all it took. One stupid, drunk decision to go home with Lochlainn that night—and now I’ve created an awkward tension between Finley and me. I was new and had only just met him, not knowing the full extent of who Luckland’sKingpinreally was. If I could, I’d take it back in a heartbeat. Erase my notch in Lochlainn’s bedpost. A one-night stand turned badge of shame.
“No!” I shot out a little too quickly. “I mean—no, I have zero interest in spending time with Lochlainn. Just need the archives. So, I’d love your company.” My mouth pulled into a genuine smile.
A dimple slowly appeared in his cheek. “All right then.” With a nod, he stepped ahead, leading the way.
The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, a gentle and warm caress over my skin that fought off the chill of the day. As we strolled through The Mounds, the world buzzed in the midday routine. Patrons popped in and out of shops, people gabbing on benches, and the smell of freshly baked spiced apple cake lingered in the air. A handful of students gathered outside in the grass, enjoying an early pint from the pubs.
People around here were just—happy. It was rare to find a gloomy face in this part of Luckland. The Mounds really was a hidden gem.
I ran my fingers over a beautiful multi-colored stained glass bookstore window. The way it shimmered looked like the magic had been captured inside.
My heart swelled with the sudden realization—David picked this place as a home for me. Wanted me to havethis. All of it. And for that, I was grateful.
Finley’s warm hand occasionally settled on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowded parts of the walkway.Although he’d done it before, it felt like a new sensation. One I found myself enjoying a littletoomuch.
As we left the bustle behind, striding deeper into the cover of forest, I could feel the mood shift around us. Like finally being alone had stiffened the air, our bodies going rigid with it.
