Page 10 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I declare, wanting to make it clear.

“And I wouldn’t ask you to in return for something. I’m sure you’ll change your mind all on your own, after all,” he drawls.

“Dream on, fairy,” I mutter, straightening up as I hold my hands out to start casting my portal home.

“I will,” he answers, winking at me with no shame as I begin to chant the incantation to take me back home.

Six

Black Fur & Fae Jewellery

Iwake up feeling only a little better than I did yesterday. My body doesn’t ache from sleeping awkwardly on the sofa, but my neck still feels tender under the skin, and the lethargy still seems to be hitting me hard. Even after twelve hours sleep yesterday, and ten hours last night, I’m still exhausted.

As I pull myself out of bed, I notice something shiny on my desk. It’s glinting in the sunlight creeping through the gap in the curtains. I wander over, drawn to the shiny object like a magpie. A chunky, cuff-like silver bracelet sits on top of an envelope marked with only my name.How the hell did someone get this in here?

I shiver. The idea of some unknown person sneaking into my bedroom while I was sleeping unnerves me. I inspect the bracelet, looking at the delicate markings that cover the entire piece. It looks like the engravings could be runes or sigils of some kind.

After placing the bracelet down with care, wary of what magical properties it may possess, I pick up the envelope, crudely ripping it open. I pull out a plain white card. I stare at it for a couple seconds in confusion, before flipping it over.

Kayla,

If the bad luck comes from your magic, why not cut it off? Removable only by the wearer, this bracelet is spelled to drain magic and hold on to it.

It may be useful if you require good luck more than your magic. Which, from what limited glimpses I have seen of it, can be unpredictable at best.

I’ll see you very soon.

-Rhydian

Oddly,I feel relieved it was only Rhydian who had been in here. I pull a face at myself in the mirror above my desk as I put down the note. Just yesterday I’d been accusing him of murder, and now I was okay with him breaking into my house while I’m sleeping? Maybe I should check with Aunt Silvia to make sure he hasn’t already spelled me somehow.

Speaking of Aunt Silvia...I grab my phone and check the time, grimacing as I realise she’ll be here in twenty minutes. I haven’t even had a shower or put acceptable clothes on.Ugh.

I grab a towel and rush for the bathroom. After flicking on the light, I turn on the shower and strip off my baggy sleep shirt and underwear. Freezing my ass off in the chilly bathroom, I toss them both into the laundry hamper in the corner. Looking forward to the hot water, I step into the shower with my face turned towards the spray of water. I immediately regret it. Screeching, I jump back.

“Holy shit, that is so fucking cold,” I curse, as I grab hold of my towel. As wrap the towel around my body, I glance at the temperature control on the shower. It’s somehow moved from its usual place at hot as hell, down to the icy depths side of the scale. This bad luck curse is getting old very fucking quickly.

I sigh and turn the heat back up. This time I hold my hand underneath the water, testing its warmth before dropping the towel and stepping back under the now hot jets of water. The tension leaks from my shoulders, and I relax for just a moment as the water crashes over me. I grab my strawberry-scented shampoo, wasting no time in washing and then conditioning my hair. The blonde strands feel clean and silky in no time. Rushing, I grab the first body wash within reach without looking and use it. My smile is a little sad as I put the bottle back down. It came in a nice gift set I’d gotten from Lizzy for Christmas. The smell of watermelon is sweet, but fresh.

I hear the doorbell ringing as I turn off the shower.Why the hell is Aunt Silvia early?She’s never early. If anything, you can count on the fact she’ll be five minutes late to pretty much everything, including her own wedding. She loved to tell that story.

I wrap the fluffy towel around myself and head downstairs, and my wet hair drips a little on the carpet as I rush to the door. I pull open the door, my eyes widening in surprise when I see it’s not Silvia standing in my doorway.

“Darren, what are you doing here?” I ask, forcing a pleasant smile onto my face.I can only hope Rhydian didn’t say anything about my visit.

He takes his time running his eyes over me. “Do you always open your door dressed in nothing but a towel?”

“Obviously not.” I roll my eyes.Well, there was that one time with the postman when my towel came undone...but Darren really doesn’t need to hear that story.

“Can I come in?” he asks, leaning his hand on the door frame.

“Now isn’t a good time,” I answer honestly. Aunt Silvia hates surprises. I doubt she’d be happy to see this six-foot shifter surprise.

“Is someone there with you?” he pries, a hint of jealousy in his tone.

“No, but someone will be here in about five minutes,” I reply. At this rate, I’m not going to have a chance to get dressed before she gets here.What am I going to wear today?

“Oh.”

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