Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(37)

He waved the already swimsuit-clad individuals toward the icy lake and made his way over to me. A few witches and warlocks glanced my way, assessing the possible spellcaster in their midst, but then they focused on their task and I was forgotten.

“Ms. Hallistar,” the professor greeted me with a nod. “I’m surprised but delighted to see you in this class. I heard rumors about your parting of the lake last year, and I’m intrigued to see what you will achieve with more specialized training.”

Forcing a smile, I returned his nod. “My magic is still weirdly locked, unless I get a boost from a powerful source.” Usually in the form of a sexy spellcaster. “But I’m hoping to keep advancing and finding the key to unlocking my full potential.”

He didn’t look perturbed, which told me he was fully aware of my limitations. “Your dad already gave us all a rundown and expressed that you will not take the usual path of a spellcaster. We’ve got you, Paisley—we understand that all magic develops in its own way. Don’t stress.”

As the baby of my family, it didn’t surprise me that Dad had already eased my way into classes. My family had my back, even when, at times, I maybe didn’t deserve it.

I hadn’t been the best daughter or sister lately, but I was determined to make it up to them.

“Thanks, Professor,” I said. He left me with a brief nod and returned to teaching the class.

I’d thrown my swimmers on in my dorm, so it was easy enough to strip off my uniform and use the minimal access I had to my energy to warm the air. Small elemental manipulations were easy. It was only when I attempted more that my magic crashed against the effects of the suppression potion.

“Hey.” I jerked at that low voice, turning to find the other spellcaster in my year, Marcus Lofting, standing uncomfortably close. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Hey,” I replied, moving a step away. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

Despite the warmth of magically heated air around us, I found myself shivering and crossing my arms over my chest. His presence used to feel comforting, but he was throwing off weird vibes this morning.

“You never contacted me over the winter break,” he said, his expression calm, but his eyes swirled with an emotion I couldn’t read.

He’d told me last year that he might be able to help with Dad, which had been right before my life imploded. I honestly hadn’t thought about Marcus once over the break. “I know. I’m sorry. There’s been a lot of personal stuff going on.”

He let the silence extend for a few seconds. “You could have reached out about anything,” he said softly. “I thought we were friends.”

Slashes of guilt tightened my chest. My relationship with Marcus was complicated. Early last year there’d been a very minor attraction between us, but it had fizzled into nothing. After everything that had happened with Logan, the thought of touching Marcus—or any other warlock again—made me feel physically ill.

“It just didn’t feel right reaching out to you. So much happened, and I’m consumed with—”

“Logan.”

My brow furrowed at his interruption, and at the fact that he’d known the exact reason I’d been consumed over the winter break.

Marcus’s gaze lifted over my head, and I felt the swell of magic as tingles traced down my spine. The good tingles.

A featherlight touch traced across my cheek. “Precious,” Logan rumbled, clearly ready to publicly stake his claim. “I missed you.”

I forgot Marcus existed again as Logan moved us out of hearing distance from the other spellcaster. “What are you doing here?” I rasped, my devastation from his confession this morning coming back full force now that he was in front of me.

“Volunteered to help with a few sophomore classes this year,” he said, flashing a perfect, if not a touch predatory, smile.

Clearing my throat, I failed to sound unaffected. “Let me guess, it’s a range of sophomore classes suited to a spellcaster?”

Logan’s grin widened. “How did you know?” He stepped closer until I was breathing him in, and when he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my cool composure faded, and I barely held on to my tears.

I hadn’t cried this much in years, but my feelings for Logan were so strong that they spilled over with little to no encouragement. “You didn’t know about our bond, Precious,” he said, his gaze intense. “As long as you never gave away your heart, the rest isn’t important. You were my first, and I will be your last. That’s all that matters.”

A single tear escaped the rigid hold on my emotions. “You always know the perfect thing to say.”

His arms wrapped around my waist so he could pull me in for a real kiss, and I barely registered the gasps behind us—clearly the class was watching the famous spellcaster. “We’re a true bonded pair,” he murmured against my lips, ignoring everyone else. “I know your mind. I know you.”

When Logan pulled away, I braced myself for the curious stares, but he blocked my body with his, turning to address whoever wasn’t in the water yet. “Start building your connection to your element,” he snapped at them. “Get your asses in the water.”

“Ah, yes,” Professor Mordock called, sounding farther away. “Logan will be helping you hone your elemental connection today.”