Page 18 of Mistaken Magic

Liamled me out of the office and back the way we came.Weboth headed for his car at the edge of the fancy circle drive, but neither of us spoke.Igot the feeling he was just as confused about what had happened in there asIwas.Hewas simply better at faking it.Oncewe were both inside, we fussed with our seatbelts, but the tension was growing.Icouldn't take it anymore, soIbroke first.

"Ok, what's the deal withAspen?"Iasked.

Hejust hung his head. "It'scomplicated."

"Well,Igot the strong impressionIwasn't getting in until she decidedIwas 'interesting.'"Ilifted a brow and looked at him. "Don'tyou thinkIat least deserve to know whatI'mgetting myself into?"

Henodded slowly, but it still took him a little too long to answer.Liamdelayed by starting his car.Thenhe had to turn down the radio.Whathe didn't do was put it in gear.Iwatched as his fingers tapped the top of the wheel, proving he was thinking, and then he simply turned to face me.

"Aspenis related to some very influential people.Youmight say she's royalty.Here'sthe thing..."Hepaused, biting his lips together. "Rain..."

"Andwhat's with the name change?"Iasked.

"Doyou hate it?" he asked back.

"No, it's actually a lot better than my real name.I'mjust feeling likeImissed something in there, andIdon't know what's going on.Liam, what doIneed to know?"

Heput the car in gear and slowly eased it forward. "Someof this won't make complete sense until you go through orientation," he warned. "Please, just give me that, and trust thatI'llexplain it all once we have you moved into the school, ok?"

"Ok..."ButIwas not going to let him out of telling mesomething.

"Youtested as completely normal," he explained. "Nothingabout your placement exam showed an aptitude that would benefit fromAdvancedPlacement.So, they said you weren't a candidate.Iwas coming out to give you the bad news and to talk about your next options, but you were talking toAspenFox."

"Isshe the dean's sister or something?"Iasked, becauseMs.Rhodesdidn't look old enough to have a daughter, but there had to be something between them.

"Biggerthan the dean," he told me. "Butthey send you to the atrium as one final test.It'sa way to see how you operate without pressure.Thefact thatAspen, of all people, found you interesting?Thinkof it like aHailMary.Along shot.Itkinda works out, though, because she's going to be your suitemate."

"So, because some rich chick thoughtIwas cool and decided she doesn't want to risk living with some freak,Iget in?"Nope, saying it out loud didn't make that sound any better than it had in my head. "Howthe hell does that have anything to do with college admissions?Like…"Igroaned. "I'mso confused."

"It'scomplicated," he explained. "But, regardless of the school politics, you're in.You'reregistered.Callit a lucky break if you want.Theend result is that you're the one getting thebenefits here.I'llrequest your transcripts this evening, and we'll get you moved in onSundayafternoon, ok?"

Ihuffed. "YoumeanIreally have to spend all weekend there?Liam, he's going to keep me locked in that room!"

"I'llconvince him to at least let you eat with the family," he said.

Iturned and looked at him as if he'd completely lost his mind. "Oh, becausethat'sso much better.Really?Ijust finishedPrideandPrejudice.Idon't have a phone, a tablet, or even another book.Well, one, butI'vealready read it like twenty times."

"ThenI'llget you a book," he said. "Rain, it's one day.Well, a day and two halves - and don't try to do that math.Johnwill be happy you got accepted.Nancywill relax.I'llmake it clear you're not some demon child, and maybe grab a set ofHarryPotterbooks from the library?"

"AnneMcCaffrey'sDragonRidersofPern,"Icountered. "Like, all of them.HarperHall, and the whole bit."

"It'sone day," he reminded me. "Let'sgo with three books, and if you blow through those,I'llget you more."

"Deal,"Isaid, grinning at him. "AndI'llsave all the other questions untilI'vemoved into this super-secret not-dodgy-at-all school."

Hechuckled. "Igive you my word,I'llexplain it all.It'sjust too much for a car ride, and neither of us want to do this in front of my brother."

"Yeah,"Iagreed. "It'snot thatIdon't like theSparks..."

"Rain," he said, "Iknow.Trustme,Iknow.Johnhas never been an easy person to deal with.He'sso angry about the way his life turned out.Nancythinks that if she can be a better wife, then her husband will be happy.Theytook in the kids thinking that if they could just have a family, then they'd figure it out, but it's not something a few foster kids can fix for them.Theproblem istheydon't even know what they want."Hegroaned. "AndI'mnot trying to dump my family's issues on you.Sorry."

"It'sok,"Ipromised. "Ijust can't help but wonder what happened to them."

"Well," he said, his eyes locked on the road. "Myfather was abusive, and you know how children of abuse sometimes don't learn how to love any other way?That'smy big brother.Hedoesn't hit, but he expects results."Helaughed once. "Hewanted our father's approval so badly, he gave up his own dreams to makeDadhappy, and it never worked."

"SoJohngot stuck?"Iasked.

Liamnodded. "Very.Thatour dad said it was becauseJohnwas worthless made it worse."Hepaused, pressing his lips together. "Nancywas the only good thingJohnever did.Theybonded over their negligent parents, butNancy'sfamily had nothing.Johnhelped her out, they fell in love, and got married before they were twenty.Now, well,Ithink they're mutually miserable."

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