Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(16)

Like he’d tell us anything.

Keeping Belle away from her friends and support system was at the top of his to-do list. The moment the school year finished, she’d ghosted us hard.

“No doubt he’ll be more concerned about slapping my dad with the maximum penalty he can get,” I grumbled. “I’m really not looking forward to tomorrow.”

Sara wrapped her arm around my shoulders and gently squeezed. “I know, hon, but let’s not let it ruin today. I mean, how often are we in the city like this? Let’s experience playing tourist.”

As she dragged me along the path, I attempted to push my stress and worries aside. The trial was going to happen whether I worried today or not, so for now I’d enjoy this moment with my bestie.



* * *




The day passed in a pleasant haze.

We didn’t talk about Dad or the trial again. We ate hot dogs from food carts, visited the zoo, and, despite the icy weather, explored the park until the sun started to set.

The cab was toasty warm on the way home, and I sank into a relieved heap to thaw out. Sara, doing the same beside me, smiled broadly. “I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up, but are you ever going to tell me what happened the other night with Logan? He called you mate. Like, mate?”

Now it was too hot in here, and I unwound my scarf to free up my neck. “You haven’t mentioned what happened with you and Alaric either.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell her about Logan, it was just hard to describe the night. He’d taken me to his secret house, made the best pasta I’d ever eaten, and then cuddled me to keep the monsters away. There’d been no sex, or anything remotely sexual, and yet the night had felt intimate in a way that went way beyond casual fuck buddies.

Oh, and he’d also told me we were bonded and called me his mate.

Right before he took me home and proceeded to ignore the two messages I’d sent checking in on him. Which were the last messages I would be sending.

Logan Kingston was complicated and frustrating, and I had no idea what was happening.

At the mention of Alaric, Sara’s face lit up. “Oh, Pais! Oh my fucking goddess. He absolutely destroyed me. I’ve never had sex like that. Never. I couldn’t remember my own name, even as I screamed his for half the night.”

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. “Never a dull moment with you. Are you going to see him again?”

Her eyes were wide and shiny as she shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea, but I hope so. He’s already messaged today to check in and see if I was still in Spokane. It hurt to tell him that I was away and wouldn’t be back for a few days.”

“If he’s interested, a few days’ wait won’t deter him.”

“I know,” she said softly. “And while I’m not sure I’m ready for more than great sex, it’s nice to feel wanted at least.”

It was nice, even if it was also confusing and terrifying.

When we reached the hotel, Sara and I rushed to shower and change for dinner. We were going to check out a small Chinese restaurant around the corner. Mom and Dad knocked on the door when it was time to go, and the four of us walked the two blocks to the restaurant. “How did today go, Dad?” I asked him.

For most of my life Tom Hallistar had been a larger-than-life warlock, filled with power and the literal fire of his element. But tonight he looked tired. “As well as could be expected,” he said, tucking Mom into his side. “They basically went over the schedule for tomorrow, and the order of evidence and witnesses. The trial will be a long day.”

“What’s the worst punishment that we’re looking at? Is it beyond you just losing your job now?”

He exchanged a glance with Mom before he answered; they tended to try to hide the darker aspects of life from their kids. “I think the worst will be losing my job, but there’s a chance they could push for more. Students were injured, though thankfully none of them died.”

“Shouldn’t you already know the charges?” Sara asked, expression serious as she dodged a nasty-looking puddle of melting ice. “They can’t just drop new shit on you during the trial, right?”

“They can,” Mom said, and I hated how concerned she looked. “If the elders decide there’s enough evidence to support further charges, they’ll just bring them up. That’s why I said to pack for a week. In case we’re here longer than the original estimate.”

We’d reached the restaurant now, red neon lights flashing its name, but my stomach was churning so hard I doubted I’d be able to eat anything. This was all so unfair, and I had no idea why Elder Monroe would want to punish Dad. Even if he thought I was a demon-witch, and I could only assume he did based on previous comments, my affinity had nothing to do with my parents. Or was his aim to remove my support system from Weatherstone?

When I returned for my sophomore year, Alice and Jenna would be gone.

If Dad was as well . . .

I’d be more vulnerable than ever.



* * *




Later that night, I lay in bed staring at the popcorn ceiling. I sent out a prayer to Selene that tomorrow wouldn’t end up a complete knife through the chest for my family.

Sara had fallen asleep half an hour ago, but I couldn’t get my mind to settle. Restless energy and anxiety tore me to pieces, and I wished for a brief second that I was with Logan in his gorgeous home. Grabbing my phone, I checked my messages, startled to find there was one unread.