Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(42)

For goddess’s sake. “I’m not mad at you, moron,” I said, pulling him into a hug. “Belle is great, and you are great, and it’s nice to see you actually caring about a witch rather than treating them like a revolving product line you need to test out.”

He laughed hoarsely and rested his weight on me until I almost collapsed. My brother was heavy, but he’d held me up more than once over the years and I was determined to do the same for him. “She was so reserved over winter break,” he murmured in a distant voice. “But I know it’s hard for her at home with him. I let her have the space and offered my support, but I haven’t heard from her for a week. And today . . . she’s not here.”

I tried to rub my hand up and down his back, but I was barely keeping the both of us upright. Just as my knees buckled, a hard body slipped in behind me, taking mine and Trevor’s weight with ease. Mint and evergreen filled my senses, and my exhaustion lessened as I let Logan hold us.

“Headmaster Gregor said she’ll return tomorrow,” I told my brother, and his head shot up as he scanned my face. “She got delayed in India, but we’ll have her back tomorrow. Then we can demand answers for whatever weirdness is going on with her. She’s ignored me and the girls for the winter break too, and I’m worried about her.”

My brother’s sadness turned into a frantic energy. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it. I won’t let her suffer any longer, even if I have to steal her away from her fucking father.”

Logan laughed behind me, and I tilted my head back to meet his amused expression. “Of course you’d think his possessive tendencies are funny,” I grumbled.

Logan pressed his lips to my cheek. “The fact that he hasn’t kidnapped her yet, baby, means he’s got a lot to learn.”

Trevor finally noticed the third in our little group, and as his gaze moved between me and Logan, he jerked away and sucked in a lungful of air. “What the fuck, Paisley?” he growled, fists clenched at his sides. “Get away from Logan Kingston.”

Oh shit.

So much had happened in the development of my relationship with Logan, but I hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with my family. Not even Mom, though she at least knew there was something between us, thanks to Logan’s statement in the graveyard.

It almost floored me to think that this absolutely life-changing relationship was happening and the people I loved the most in the world didn’t know about it.

“Logan is my boyfriend,” I said simply. Logan’s hands tightened as he pulled me away from my angry brother, angling his body in front as if he were worried Trevor might hurt me.

Which, of course, only made my brother angrier. “You have got to be kidding me, Pais. Boyfriend? What are you fucking thinking?”

“Mate,” Logan growled. “Paisley is my bonded mate, and if you value your life, you’ll stop shouting at her.”

Trevor lurched forward, and I was moved farther back by Logan’s magic as the two massive warlocks clashed. “Last warning,” Logan said coldly. “You’re her brother and she loves you, which is the only reason I’m not kicking your ass. But I only have so much patience with this shit.”

Trevor was a hothead who never cared if he was outmuscled or outpowered. So, of course, he advanced again, getting right up in the spellcaster’s face.

“Hey,” I shouted, trying to get around Logan, even as his magic held me in a protective shield. “Trevor, I’m going to need you to back up. Please. Logan is telling the truth.”

Trevor’s aggression faded as we made eye contact. “I have a lot to tell you,” I said, softer. “I’m sorry that I kept this from you, but it’s new and complicated.”

Logan crossed his arms. “If you want to call almost twenty years new. Sure, baby.”

Every time he called me baby, my body detonated into a hot, needy mess. Which was not particularly appropriate at this current time. “This dynamic is new,” I amended. “But we’ve been bonded since we were kids.” It felt nice to officially claim the bond.

Trevor looked between us, but Logan didn’t notice because he was watching me. His expression filled with heat and possessiveness. In that look I saw every second of the history that had brought us together.

I saw love.





Chapter 19




“Clearly we have a lot to talk about,” Trevor said stiffly. “We knew you were hiding shit from us over winter, and I had a feeling it was to do with a warlock, but I didn’t imagine it was this warlock.”

Reaching out, I offered him a hand, and Logan didn’t stop us from touching. “Let’s have dinner together,” I said, desperate to regain my former closeness with my family. “Maybe grab J too, so I can explain what’s been going on.”

His hand locked around mine, holding on tight. “Okay, sis. But no more secrets, please. We’re in this together, whatever this is.”

“Promise,” I murmured.

He held on tighter, as if afraid to let go, but he eventually released me. “I’ll grab Jensen and we’ll find your table.”

When he was gone, Logan tucked me into his side, and I let my head fall to his hard chest. “Do you think I’m putting them in danger by bringing them into my mess?” I asked him quietly. “We know what they did to the family members associated with my affinity in the past.”