Page 62 of Mistaken Magic

"Hekeeps kissing her head,"Iexplained. "Nevermind the hugging and hanging on her.C'mon, that's not how most human guys treat a sibling!"

"Humanguys,"Hawkesaid, ticking it off on his index finger. "Sibling."Thatwent on the next finger. "Tellme, foster girl, just how much do you know about those?"

"Notmuch,"Iadmitted. "Well, except whatIsaw from others in public school."

"Sonot denying the foster part?"Wilderasked. "Becausehalf the school thinks you're actually related toLiam."

Ishook my head. "Neverhave.Liamcalls me his niece, but that's because it's how he got me into the school.Like, credits for the tuition,Iguess?Ididn't want to mess it up."

Thetwo boys looked at each other. "Idon't taste a lie,"Hawkeadmitted.

"Meeither,"Wilderagreed. "Haven'tyet.Well, not for anything important."

"Whoa,"Ibreathed, looking back atAspenandTorian, then turning to seeWilderandHawkeagain. "Youcan taste lies?"

"It'snot really a taste,"Aspensaid. "It'slike a feeling, but there's no word in your language for it.Knowingwould be closest, but the sense isn't one humans have.Tastekinda fits better than hearing, so it's just the slang."

"I'mseriously missing out by being a human,"Imumbled to myself.

"Lookat her burns again,"Toriansaid, "then think about that."

HeeasedAspenback into the bed.Onceshe was lying down, he began to work off her shoes.I'dnever seen a guy so gentle with any girl, let alone one who was just a sibling.Aspenlet him, but when he lifted a brow, she shook her head.Nowords were exchanged, but clearly, they understood each other.Asif an agreement was made,Torianpulled back her covers andAspenmoved over to slide under them.

Shewas asleep almost immediately.Whateverhe'd given her seemed to be working, though.Thered marks on her skin were visibly fading, and all the blisters were gone.ThemagicKeirhad done had helped, but this was definitely a cure.Then, as if thatwas some kind of sign, the guys all moved to the door, preparing to leave.

Istepped back, aiming for the side door that led through the bathroom and to my suite.Wilderreached the main door first, andHawkefollowed, butTorianpaused before me.Fora moment, his eyes scanned my face.Ifelt likeIwas being judged, andIwasn't sure what he expected, soIsimply waited.

Thenhe opened his mouth to speak, but closed it almost as fast.Ittook a moment before he tried again. "It'smy job to take care of her," he finally said, the look in his eyes begging for understanding. "ThatmeansI'min your debt."

"No."Ishrugged. "Itmeans you can't be everywhere, and friends take care of each other."

Henodded, accepting that.Thenhe offered his hand. "Friends?"

Itook it. "I'min need of a few of those."

Hejust tilted his head atWilderandHawke. "Howabout four?Therearen't many people who'd risk themselves for us.Fewerwho'd do it so blindly.EverydoubtIhad about you has just been erased,Rain."

"Aspen'sthe only reasonI'meven here,"Iadmitted. "Torian,I'malready inherdebt andIknow it.Ican't seem to forget it.Thisfeels like the smallest way to pay a little of that back.Imean, you have no idea how bad my life was before here.TheSparkswere pretty normal for me."

"Shit,"Hawkebreathed. "Yeah, they were hell.Ifthat was yournormal?"

"ButAspendidn't stand up for her to help her,"Wildercountered. "Shedid it because..."Hethrust out both hands at me. "She'slike this."

"Aspendid that for us,"Torianclarified. "Ok.Out, guys.Aspenneeds to sleep this off.Ineed to check on what they're doing with the girls who attacked her."

"Liamhas them, and while you do that,I'llkeep an eye on her,"Ipromised. "Um, if you want to give me your number,Ican text you some updates."

Heheld out his hand, clearly expecting my phone, soIdug it out.Oncehe had it,Torianflipped to my contact screen, then just shook his head.Hestarted typing, and he kept at it for a little too long.Eventually, he passed it back.

"Iadded all of us, just in case you need anything."Hepaused, looking at me for a little too long. "CanIhave some time to think of the right words?"

"Huh?"Ihad no clue what he meant.

Analmost shy smile curled his lips and he glanced down. "Youknow, soIdon't accidentally try to thank you.Ididn't realize how much harder it is when you're not talking to your family."

"Torian, you can tell me thank you.Iknow what that warm feeling feels like, andIrealize sometimes it's impossible to express it any other way."

"Thenthank you,Rain," he said softly. "She'sthe most important thingIhave, andI'dbe lost without her.She'smy family, and the only oneI'mwilling to claim.Ireally am in your debt."

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