Page 75 of Dark Embers

I chewed my lip at that knowledge. Was there any wonder why I didn’t trust witches?

“Okay, well, first, about the other day,” I began.

She waved her hands at me, shaking her head. “It’s okay. You don’t have to make any platitudes.” Then she crossed her arm and jutted a hip. “But a phone call or text would’ve been nice.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. For a lot of things. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that.”

She balked at me. “Um, were we in the same bathroom? Because the way I remember it,Itookadvantage ofyou.”

My cock stiffened at the memory of just how skillfully she took advantage of me, but I pushed that thought away.

“That’s not actually why I’m here,” I said, shaking my head. “I came to ask you for a favor.”

She narrowed those cunning eyes at me. “What kind of favor?”

I sighed. “One of our mer students has been attacked by vampires.”

“What?” she exclaimed, forgetting to whisper. “Is Arya okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine,” I said, raising calming hands to hush her back down. “But this mer keeps saying Arya’s name, and we don’t know why. Our top harpy has tried to heal her, but she sustained some head trauma and we’ve been unable to resuscitate her. I was hoping you might be able to help us with that.”

She cocked her head at me with confusion wrinkling her nose. “How could I help?”

I arched a leading brow at her.

She jutted her opposite hip. “You want me, a witch, to use magic on one of your students?” She laughed sarcastically. “I’m sure the great and pious Celeste is completely on board with that.”

I shrugged. “Well, actually, I’d have to sneak you in.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Shea scoffed loudly, tapping a foot against the grass.

“The other professors wouldn’t understand,” I insisted. “But this could be a stepping stone on the path to them trusting witches. That is, if you’re successful.”

She scoffed again and shook her head.

“Please, Shea,” I implored. “If the vampires know something about Arya, it’s imperative we find out what that is.”

She scowled at me for a long moment. “I might consider it. I have a prior engagement today anyway. So, I’ll let you know later what I decide and if I can make time in my busy schedule.”

It wasn’t the answer I was hoping for, but it also wasn’t a no.

What prior engagement did she have? Was it with this other guy that she boughtmykitty sweater for? Ugh! What right did I have to even think about that?

“Okay, thank you, Shea,” I said. “I hope you make the right decision.”

“Ugh, okay, go away now,” she said, pushing me off her lawn.

As I walked away, I should have been worrying about Letti, about the vampires and what they might be up to, and if Arya was in imminent danger. But all I could worry about was what Shea thought of me, and if her saying yes to this would mean anything about that.

And did I want it to?

Chapter 27

Julian

Those green eyes sliced into my soul as we lay there staring at each other, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt at home.

“I miss you,” she said softly, and those three small words shredded my heart.

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