Page 37 of Mistaken Magic

"It'snot your deal," he told me. "Italso sounds likeNancySparkshasn't changed a bit.Oddly, the uniformSilverOaksmakes us wear is awholelot better than the plaid and khaki getupNancySparksputs on her fosters."

Yep,Icaved. "Hasshe been doing that for a while?"Ikept my voice low so the teacher wouldn't hear.

"Ohyeah.Aspensaid you were wearing it onFriday.Ithink you should askHawkeabout his time there."Hesmiled, well aware he'd just thrown me a bone. "Youmay not believe me, butI'mactually trying to help."

"Why?"Therehad to be a catch.Thisguy didn't seem like the type to do anything because he was kind.

"BecauseIowe that bitch."Histone was deadly serious and sounded like a serial killer. "I'llmake sure she pays over and over.Wedon't take kindly to people trying to take advantage of us."

"Wait, what bitch, and who is 'we?'"

Hislips closed and his eyes flicked away as if he'd just realized what he'd said. "NancySparks."

"And'we?'"Iinsisted.

Thoselips curled in a forced smile. "Mycourt, of course, since you've just convinced yourselfI'ma narcissist."

"Andyou aren't?"

"No,Rain.Thereare a lot of thingsIlove more than my own reflection, although it is a nice one.Wouldn'tyou agree?"Hepushed one finger across his bottom lip as if he was thinking, butIhad a funny feeling he was trying to distract me with his perfect man-pout.

"No."Iwrenched my eyes away.

Torianchuckled. "ThenIguessImight be losing my bet withAspenafter all.Lesbian?"

"Fuckyou."

"I'lltake that as a real big no.Interestinghow you aren't scared of me, though."Heleaned even closer. "WhatIwant to know is why not."

Ihuffed. "MaybeIjust have nothing left to lose."

"Everyonehas something to lose.Everyone.Thebigger question is what you have to gain.Mostburners prefer to wallow in their safe little ruts, and will fight with all they have to stay there."Thenhe leaned back to his side of the desk.Theevil little curl was back on his lips. "Whatwill you do, human girl with a fae name?"

"It'snot fae,"Iassured him just asMs.Stewartlooked over.

"I'massuming you're helpingLorrainecatch up," she said, her attention onTorian.

"Rain," he corrected.

Thewoman turned to me. "Doyou prefer to be called that, or would you ratherIuseLorraine?"

"Rain'sfine,"Iassured her.

Shenodded. "ThenI'llmark it on the records.Torian, assist her at least a little.She'scoming here from a public school, andI'msure you understand how drastic the change can be for some."Thenshe turned back to the class. "Andfor the rest of you, we're going to examine the effect of clay on fae plants.Attheback of the room, you can collect a sprig of midnight grass and a vial of red clay."

Torianimmediately turned to me. "Whichmeans you're mine for the next thirty minutes."

"Wouldyou like to actually help me with some of this?"Ihuffed. "She'sright, you know.Saturday,Ihad no idea about any of this.Theonly reasonI'mhere is becauseAspenthinksI'minteresting.Idon't even know what that means!"

Hereached over to trail a finger down my forearm. "Wedon't either, but it's still true."

"Biology,Torian,"Igrumbled.

Removinghis hand, he flicked a finger toward where the students were gathering their things. "Theanswer to that is iron.It'salways iron.Themore fae blood we have, the more iron hurts us.Somewith a quarter fae ancestry or less will never realize they're being affected, but they still are."

"Thenhow can you call it affected?"Iasked.

Hislips curled in the most sensual yet diabolical smile. "Goget some of that clay."

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