Page 114 of Mistaken Magic

Immediately,Iheard movement, and then the bathroom door burst open. "What..."Hereyes landed on me and the sentence died as the laughter took over. "Rain!"

"Sheneeds a shower,"Keirsaid. "TellHawkeIgot her back safe.Makesure she doesn't drip any of that on the floor.It'sBracken'sspecial mix, so it washes off with straight water, but that doesn't mean it won't be a mess.Idon't even want to think about how long this place will have glitter in it."

"FuckingBracken,"Igroaned.

Aspenjust tugged me back toward the bathroom. "Youdid good,Keir," she called back. "Night!"

"Night, you two," he said as he left.

Thenshe pointed to our bathing nook. "Youare getting in the tub to take all of that off.I'llstart the shower and get towels.Oh,Rain... next time duck or something."

"Iwas learning how to stop someone from throwing magic at me,"Iexplained. "It'smy detention for picking a fight withHarper."Icaught her arm before she could even react. "Andthis is my fight, ok?She'scoming after me because she thinksI'mweak.I'mgoing to make sure she knowsI'mnot.Letme have this?"

Shenodded. "Ok, but if she hurts you..."

Iclimbed in the tub and started toeing off my shoes. "I'dkiss you right now ifIdidn't think it would make more of a mess."

"No," she told me, backing away. "Youkeep your splooge to yourself, woman!Noteven you are that cute.Close, but not pink-and-brown glitter cute.Bathe!Thenyou can kiss me."

Chapter Forty-Six

Forthe rest of the week,Icame home covered in paint and glitter.Thankfully, it was less each time.ByThursdayevening,I'dsomehow avoided all the paint, andIonly had three colors of glitter on me, but the stuff was in myhair!I'dfound little sparkles all over my room lately, andIwas pretty sure this was a lessonI'dnever forget.

ButIwas getting pretty good at preventingBrackenfrom tossing his magic at me.Anhour or more every night had me lunging faster.I'dfigured out standing close was better than a distance.Smartingoff gave me an excuse to push into his face.Sofar,I'dcalledBrackena toad-eater, a nunu head - with gusto - and a potato peeler.Itwas the bestIcould do on short notice.

Ialso had my "crew" walking me to class.Aspentook me from our suite to first period.ThenTorianwalked me to second period.Iwas actually starting to warm up to the guy.Hewasn't always a dick, and he adored his sister in a wayIhadn't thought possible.Unfortunately, our chats were mostly shallow and generic stuff.

Aftersecond period,Aspenwalked me to the end of the hall whereKeirwaited to take me across the building to third.There,HawkeandWilderwalked me to fourth period, andTorianstayed with me as we headed to lunch.Easy, right?Notso much, becauseHarpernoticed.Sheglared.Shetossed out insults every chance she could, and only half of them were at me.

Then, onFriday,Harperdecided she wasn't going to get the chance she wanted, so she decided to make one.KeirandIhad just passed the atrium when she swooped in from the side, clearly having planned this.Shewasn't aiming for me, though.Hercomplete attention was onKeir.

"Hey," she said, catching his arm so he'd stop.

Ipaused with him, both of us turning to face her.Keirmoved to drape his arm over my shoulder, holding me against his side.Ishifted in closer, hugging his waist with my own arm.Fora moment,Harper'sjaw clenched, but then she got control of her face again.

"So,Ineed a date to theWinterSolstice," she told him, completely ignoring my presence.

"Goodfor you,"Keirsaid.

"Areyou going with someone?"Harperpressed, her eyes flicking over to me.

"Iam," he assured her.

Butmy guts clenched.Itwas stupid, andIknew it.Thatstill didn't stop the intense feeling of disappointment, because he hadn't askedme.Theidea of him taking another girl to this event?Ididn't even know what the big deal was about, but there was still a part of me that wanted him to bemydate - even if it was just as a cover excuse.

"Well, if you change your mind," she said, stepping closer to trail a finger down the middle of his chest, "let me know before midterms.Iremember our last solstice together."Shewinked and tapped right over his heart.

"Oh, back off,"Igrumbled, pulling her hand away from his body. "Youhad your turn.Youscrewed it up.Getover yourself already!"

"Stayout of this,Rain,"Harpersnarled. "Haven'tyou realized just how helpless you are?Theonly reason you're still walking the halls is becauseIlet you!"

"Keepdreaming,"Igrumbled.

ButKeirwas having none of it. "So, you're jealous of her,Harper, is that it?Rainshows up and all the pure-bloods can't keep our eyes off her.Well, while you've been chasing power, we're chasing something better: a personality.Ipromise fucking you wasn't that impressive, and it's certainly not worth the headache that comes with your spoiled ass."

Shehuffed. "Youliked it!"

"OfcourseIdid,"Keirchuckled. "Youchased me.Youbent over for me.Youdropped to your knees for me.What'snot to like?Evena bad orgasm is still an orgasm.Justone little problem with your big plan."Heleaned into her face. "Youstill don't rule this school, andI'mnot into groveling."

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