Page 56 of Mistaken Magic

"Uhhuh."Because, yeah, my brain was completely stuck on that. "So, your mom only looks a few years older than you?"

"Yep.Justwait until you find outIvyRhodesis in her five hundreds."

Igasped. "Noway!"

"Truth," he insisted. "Thequestion is how living in a world with so little magic will affect us.But,I'msure you don't want to talk about that."Hegestured to the dummy he was leaning against. "Frankhere needs to be put in his place, and you were doing pretty good."

Hiseyes made a sweep down my body, but he didn't move away from the dummy.Ijust rolled my eyes at him.Thisguy was hot and knew it, butIkinda liked it.Iwas smiling just a little too much, and the truth wasIreally didn't mind the interruption.

"Frank'skinda been kicking my ass, you know,"Iadmitted. "Ihave no idea why, butIthought this whole sword-fighting thing would be easier."

"Mm..."Hefinally stepped back. "Thetrick is to use the weapon's weight instead of your muscles."Thenhe playfully crooked a finger, summoning me even closer. "Letme show you."

Igrabbed the hilt of my wooden "sword" again, and moved to stand before the dummy.Keirstepped behind me, pressing in close against my back, then teasingly slid his hand down my arm.Mypulse picked up in response, butIrefused to show it.Iwouldnotpant over this guy.Noteven if my body really wanted to.

"Thetrick," he whispered beside my ear as he caught my wrist, "is not to fight it."

Ijust glanced back, honestly amused. "Doesthat work for you a lot?"

Hisface was right there.Icouldn't help but notice his eyes.Theywere blue, but a shade so unique they almost looked violet.ElizabethTaylorcame to mind, yet beforeIcould say anything, he tilted his head at the dummy, getting my mind off of his pretty face.

"Justmove with me,Rain," he insisted.

Alittle bob of my head gave him permission, soKeirguided my arm at the dummy.Slowlyat first, soIcould feel the pressure of his body twisting.Thatgave me the chance to match him, andIstarted to see what he meant.Unfortunately,Iwas good at it, so the guy dropped a hand across my belly, holding my hips against him.Thenhe did it again with another swing.Eventually, he moved my arm a little faster, his fingers resting over mine so gently.

Allthe things the instructor had said were now making sense.Usemy hips, twist my shoulders.Isucked in a little breath as thelight bulb ignited in my mind, andIgot it.Ihonestly, truly, and completely understood how to make this easier.Keirpaused at my gasp and stepped back.

Iturned to face him. "Thatmakes so much sense!Idon't know why it wasn't sinking in before."

Helaughed, ducking his head. "Yeah, um, because they brace up and get stiff in the movies?"Thenhe stepped back. "Oh, and so you know, thatdoesusually work for me.Yesterday,Iwould've said always, butI'mstarting to understand what the court sees in you."

"I'minteresting, huh?"Iteased.

Hepaused only two steps away. "Very.Ialso noticed you didn't thank me."Iopened my mouth, but he lifted his hand. "Andplease don't ruin it now."

"Iwas going to sayIowed you one,"Iassured him. "Ialready got the lesson on the thank yous."

Keir'seyes narrowed. "Butnot the one about debts, it seems."Pushingout a sigh, he closed the distance between us again, and this time he lowered his voice. "Thereare a lot of fae here.Purefae,Rain.Thefive of us and some of the teachers.Donot make deals with anyone, and don't accept owing a debt.Donot acknowledge it unless you're sure you can handle what they'll ask for when they call it in."

Therewas an intensity to his voice that made me want to lean back. "Whatdo you mean?"

Heshoved a hand through his golden blonde hair. "That?Sayingyou owe me one?It'sopen-ended.Tooopen-ended.Ihelped you see how to swing a sword, you now owe me, soIcould call in that favor by asking you to jump off the fourth-floor roof to amuse me.Ifyou don't..."Hecanted his head.

"Thenwhat?"Iasked. "You'dbe pissed?"

"I'dbe within my rights to make you," he corrected. "Adebt.Myparents are fae.Realfae,Rain, not theTinkerbellkind.Wedon't shit glitter.Weamuse ourselves with human suffering.Well, did.Thoseof us born here learned slightly different rules.Imean, it's hard not to when every other kid in school is human.Theproblem is, our parents can't understand why the old rules aren't allowed.Halfof our teachers are from that generation.Thehumans - likeLiam- temper that, but not completely.Andsome fae are willing to use it to make themselves look a little more impressive."

"Likethe jesters,"Irealized.

Henodded. "They'rethe worst.Theirfamilies ran from the war, giving up everything, and then thought they could pick up where they left off here onEarth."

"Kindasounds like the founding ofAmerica,"Ipointed out.

"Probably," he agreed. "AllI'msaying is you need to choose your words carefully.Thecourt won't be able to help themselves.Thejesters would love to use it against you.Theothers are jealous because you're the hot topic lately, andIcan promise half the guys in my dorm would use that little offer to have you in their room well past your curfew, if you know whatImean."

"Butnot you?"Iasked, unsure how he'd answer.

Onemore time, his lopsided smile made an appearance, and he stepped back. "Iprefer the idea of a willing partner.KindawhyIstopped you.But, if you truly want to pay that debt, then learn.Ithink you could be good at this, and the fae community needs a few sentinels who can wield iron."

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