Page 112 of Mistaken Magic

Hanginghis head,Keirgave in. "Hawketakes care ofTorian.Torianadores his sister.Aspenwill be worried about you, thus..."

"Hawkewants to make sureHarperdoesn't try to jump me out here alone,"Ifinished. "Ok."

"Andhe's worried you're in too deep,"Keiradded.

Thatwas not at all whatI'dexpected. "Hawke?Like, autumn-colored guy, eagle eyes, kinda looks like his namesake?"

"Thesecond member of the court.Yeah, same guy,"Keiragreed. "Why?"

"Becausehe doesn'tknowme!"Ithrew up my arms, but that sent a glob of glitter ooze flying.

Keirquickly stepped back, and the slung mess splattered onto the dry grass. "Raincoattomorrow.Gottaremember that," he teased. "Andlet me break this all down for you.Aspenclaimed you as the court's.Soundslike a possession, works like a title.Hawkeis the soldier of the court.Thenthere's the fact that this girl he's supposed to be watching out for is..."

"Interesting,"Isupplied.

"Sexy,"Keircorrected. "Imean, do you have any idea how your shirt is clinging to you right now?"

"Trustme,Iknow,"Ipromised, walking again. "It'salso starting to get cold."

"Trustme,"Keirrepeated as he moved back to my side, "Iknow."

Iscoffed. "I'mwearing a sports bra.Youshouldn't be able to see much nipple."

"Wellyour right one's definitely lower than the left, but they're poking out pretty good."

"Iam going to hug you,"Ithreatened.

Helaughed. "Tempting, butI'mgoing to pass."Fora few steps, he said nothing, but he kept glancing over. "Rain, can we talk about what happened withHarperyet?"

"Shecaught me between classes and slammed her shoulder into me hard enough to send my stuff flying.Ididn't appreciate it,"Iinformed him.

"Shewaited until you were alone, singled you out, taunted you in a way she knew would get you to react, and then set you up to get either expelled or destroyed," he corrected. "Whichwas it?"

"Destroyed,"Iadmitted. "Shecast some spell on me."

"Conjuredor enchanted," he said. "Wedon't actually 'cast.'We'renot mages,Rain."

"Sameshit to me."Istopped again. "Keir,Idon't tolerate bullies.Iam not going to duck my head and ignore it when she goes afterAspen.I'mnot going to grovel before her likeI'msomehow less worthy."Ialmost stopped there, butIjust couldn't help myself. "ShethinksI'mgoing to be scared of her, but there's one thing she's missed.Ihave nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Hetook a half step closer, his smile completely gone. "Whatdo you mean?"

"Ihave spent myentirelife trying to find a safe place.Myhome wasn't it.Myfoster homes gave up on me almost as fastas they got me.Theone good foster parentIhad got transferred out of state for work.Whatis the worstHarpercan do to me?Killme?Sofucking what!This,Keir, is allIhave.Liamcares about me more than anyone else in my life ever has.Aspenis the first friend who hasn't tried to change me soIfit in.You!"

"Whatabout me?" he asked.

"Yougive a damn, ok?"Isaid, glancing away. "Thefact that you're even out here?Allthe little things you do that make me think you're a good guy?AndIlike it, butI'mwaiting for it to all go wrong.I'mgoing to end up expelled ifHarperhas anything to say about it."

"Soundsto me likeBrackenhas you covered," he countered. "Iknow the court does, and do not discount their power."

"They'rejust students,"Ihissed. "Idon't even get how that works!"

Hestepped even closer and cupped the side of my neck, ignoring the splatter thatIknew coated it. "Noone does.Don'tyou see,Rain?That'swhy everyone watches them.Isit because they're really that strong?Isit something else?Wedon't know, no one's talking, and the guesses are flying."

"Whatguesses?"Iasked.

"Thatthey own this place.Thatthey have some secret way of tapping into the power ofFaerie.Thattheir magic is all a bluff - butI'veseen it.Ican assure you it's not."Heleaned in just a bit more. "Andthose four thinkyouare interesting.Theyhave claimed you as one of theirs.Hawkemade it very clear to me that ifI'mnot good to you, then he's coming for me.Theyhave claimed you, and that's not a small thing."

"Idon't..."

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