Page 115 of Mistaken Magic

Heglanced at me and turned, the pair of us continuing on our way.Behindus,Harperhuffed in frustration a few times, then she squealed in rage.Iglanced back just in time to see her brace up and pull in a deep breath.

"Keir!"Ihissed, reaching for something to throw at her, because that was the first step in casting!

Butmy big, strong guardian didn't seem concerned at all.Helooked back right as she flung her arm and a shield of rainbow light flashed up, vanishing just as quickly.Thatwas whenKeirfinally let me go, so he could storm back toward her.

"Areyou fucking insane?" he demanded. "YouknowIcan stop you every time.Youknow the rules forbid magic in the halls!Idon't care how important you think you are, if you become a menace,Iwill throw you out for theHuntmyself.Doyou hear me?"

"Fuckyou,Keir!"Harpersnapped before shoving at his chest.

Imoved to join him, unwilling to makeKeirdo this on his own.Theguy thrust his hand back, gesturing for me to keep my distance.Istopped, but damned ifIdidn't hate it.

Thenhe pointed atHarper'sface. "Tryme.Idare you.Butif you come afterRainagain,Iwill make sure you regret it.She'sunder my protection,Harper.Mine- and the court's.Theone thing that can bring the five of us together... is her."

"Astupid human girl who can't even wipe her own ass!"Harpergrowled.

Keircaught her face, squeezing her cheeks between his fingers and thumb. "She'sprettier than you.She'snicer than you.She'salso a lot smarter than you.Fuckyour half-blood ego.You'restill just a faeling in a world of humans.Growthe fuck up already."

Then, using that grip, he pushed her back and stormed toward me.Ashe passed, he caught my hand, pulling me back up against his side, and we kept walking.Everyonesaw.Thestares of the others in the hall were a mixture of awe and fear, becauseKeirwasn't happy.Thiseasy-going man looked damned near feral.

Thestrange thing was how muchIliked it.Iwasn't scared of being beside him.However,Iwas a little worried for him.Whenwe made it far enough away,Ipulled my hand from his soIcould grab his arm.

"Areyou ok,Keir?"

"No," he said, slowing his pace. "Ihate her,Rain.Itry not to, but every time she talks to me,Ihate her even more.Thatshe tried to conjure you?Fuckingbitch!"

"Hey,"Ibreathed. "ButI'mok, and that's why you're here, right?Imean, and the whole light show was pretty impressive, in all honesty."

Thatfinally made the scowl on his face ease. "Yeah?" he asked. "Youdon't even know what it was."

Ijust shrugged. "Prettylights and a safe girl.Igot that part.Plus, my friend makes a damned good hero."

Hechuckled, slowing as we reached the door for my third-period class. "Yeah.So, since she already brought it up,Iwas going to ask you this weekend.I'msure you'll be mingling, and it's your first solstice, but would you like to be my date?"

Theair rushed from my lungs. "Ithought you were going with someone?"

"Yeah, um..."Hepushed his hand into his hair, shoving it all back. "Faelies.Itold the guys that ifIcouldn't get a date,I'dgo and hang with them.So,I'mdefinitely going withsomeone.Iwas just hoping you'd be the one on my arm when we arrive."Thenhe leaned in. "AndAspen'slater.Iget that."

"I'dlove to,"Isaid. "Ijust didn't want to expect it, since… you know."

Henodded, then lifted his hand to trail his thumb across my cheek. "Expectit,Rain."Thenhe tilted his head at my class. "Getin there before you're late."

"Yeah,"Ibreathed before pulling away and turning for the door.

Behindme,Keirmade his way to his own class.Ihad a feeling he wouldn't make it in time, butIkinda didn't care.Theyweren't as strict on the older students.Plus,Icouldn't stop smiling, and those butterflies were back.

Iwassupposedto be going withAspen, though we couldn't do it publicly.Well, we could if we wanted new room assignments.Keirseemed to understand.YetIdidn't know how to deal with the fact that both of them gave me the same silly feeling - or how muchIliked it.

Butthe momentIwalked in,HawkeandWilderwere watching me.Hawkewas sprawled in his chair with his feet on the edge of some guy's desk across from him, blocking the aisle.Hiseyes watched me, tracking my movement across the room.WhenIturned down the row to get to my seat, he didn't move, his legs effectively blocking my path.

"Hawke, please?"Iasked.

"Whatwas that about?" he asked. "YouandKeir."

"He'sbeen walking me to class all week,"Isaid. "Youknow that."

Hawkejust turned to look at his friend. "Wilder, canIget an assist?"

Wilderlifted his hand and snapped.Aburst of white light flared and everyone else in the room slowed to a crawl. "Youhave five minutes,"Wildertold him. "Ican't hold it forever likeTor."

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