Page 77 of Quiet Burn

I blink, jerking back to reality at O’s low voice. “Um, yes. I mean, yes, I was quiet because I’m processing the spells shit, but also, I’m okay. As much as I can be knowing that people in these stupid games will be using spells intended to kill on the spot or cause such insurmountable pain that even demons commit suicide if hit with them. That’s a pretty big deal.”

“So…” Oriel sighs as he runs his fingers through his beautiful, shiny black hair. “The deal with those spells is the caster has to be strong enough to support the magic. That’s true of all magic, right? If the person trying to use the spell isn’t strong enough magically, it’s a bit like a tiny person trying to lift a huge barbell. Are there people skilled enough to use them outside of our caliphate? Probably. But not as many as making them part of the training would indicate.”

My eyes narrow as I squint curiously. “Are you saying a lot of demons here willtryto use them, but like, fizzle out or something?”

He nods, looking serious. “Very likely. This isn’t a human movie; everyone who is magically gifted isn’t equal. They can’t just useany incantation they read without fail. Plus, magic follows intent as well, and to be honest, a bunch of these clowns won’t have the needed intent those big spells require.”

“They don’t want to kill or torture, so it won’t work right? Is that what you mean?” I ask as we head across the main quad.

“Yep. They mightthinkthey want to because it’s what’s expected, but magic is more complex than that. It’s intuitive and very personal; someone doing it because they think theyhaveto is less likely to be successful.”

Well, that’s somewhat comforting. I still need magic training, though.

“What do we do about me not having any magic? How can we… goose it or whatever?”

His chuckle rumbles over me even from the short distance between us. “We can’t force it, Kit Kat. That’s not how it works. But we can practice the physical and mental process with you privately—Slash would be your guy for that. Magic Battles is what helivesfor.”

“Damn it. That’s what everyone says,” I pout as I kick at an invisible rock in my path. “I don’t want to ask him. He’s still being weird from this weekend.”

Oriel smacks my arm lightly. “Don’t be a chicken shit, KK. The big guy never turns down a chance to kick someone’s ass in the ring, but also, he’s fond of you.”

He is?

“Don’t look so surprised. Slash’s love language is being a bossy dick about the shit you need to do. Do you know how often that idiot tells me to clean my nest? I mean, I know I need to,but my crow prefers a hoard.” Oriel shrugs and winks at me. “Sometimes, I listen; sometimes, I don’t.”

I don’t know what to make of that statement, so I duck my head, looking at the dark cobblestones as we make our way to the arena. It’s hard for me to accept that anyone likes me, much less is watching out for me because they want to. Having people pretend to do it because they’ve been instructed to—that’s normal. But choosing to is something totally different. I have no idea how to feel about it nor what I’m going to do about approaching the huge demon.

“Oh, man, now I made it awkward. Shit.”

Feeling the heat on my face, I look up at Oriel with a shrug. “Well, I’m just a fucking mess all the time, man. I don’t know how to take compliments or praise well, much less accept that people give a shit. I’m working on it; I swear.”

“You don’t have to apologize or make excuses, KK. Most of us have wised up to your quirks and we know how to let you have the space you need to work through unfamiliar emotions.” Oriel winks at me and I mutter something incomprehensible, making him laugh. “Man, you’re an awkward little turnip when you get shy. It’s fantastic.”

Great. Awkward turnip is exactly what I was aiming for with these guys. Awesome.

“Listen up, wastes of space!”

Salem shifts next to me, looking remarkably awake for four in the afternoon. He shoots a look at Oriel and I watch as that gesture moves down the line of the guys until it stops at Zav.

That’s a bad sign.

“Today, we’re going to enchant our weapons withbasicspells to increase their strength. This is a precursor to actual magic battles, so you want to ensure that you’re using this time to get your feet under you if you are not used to this kind of fighting.” Jasper’s eyes are dark as they bore into me, and I swallow hard. “It will only get more demanding and more dangerous from today forward.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I mutter softly as my body tenses up. I’m the only one in this room without a lick of magic and now they’re all going to know. It will make my life a bazillion times more dangerous than it was prior to this class. If anyone suspected before, it was a rumor that remained unconfirmed since the guys stay with me nearly every second of every day.

“Kit Kat, it’s going to be okay,” Salem mutters under his breath. “We knew this day would come and we’ve got a plan.”

My eyes widen, and I whirl around to look at Oriel. “You have a plan?”

His dark eyes glitter with that mischievous intelligence I associate with his crow. “We do. Anton came up with it. Slash isn’t sure it will work, but he’s only used to up-close-and-personal magic battling. Those of us who are made for stealth or long range attacks have different ideas about how to ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ in this aspect.”

Licking my lips, I take a slow, deep breath, nodding once I can move again. “Okay. What do I have to do?”

Xerxes peeks around the avian shifter. “First, you pick a weapon, KK. Once you do, come see Annie and me. We’re step one in this gambit.”

“Do you have something to share with the class?” Jasper’s voice is booming as he interrupts our discussion and I shake my head quickly. We don’t need him flipping out on me and I have no clue if the guys told him about this so-called ‘plan.’

“No.”

---