Page 70 of Mistaken Magic

"Keirhelped me in my offense class.He'sbeenniceto me."ThenIpushed intoTorian'sface the same wayKeirhad. "He'scute too, andIdon't care if you like it.Ialso don't need my best friend's brother cockblocking me."

Hishand snapped up to catch my jaw, holding my face right before his. "Magiclesslittle girls shouldn't pick fights they can't win," he warned.

Yeah, too bad for him,Iwas already figuring out how things worked. "Well, this magicless little girl is protected by her friend.Thesister you wouldn't dare upset, andI'mmore than willing to usethatto my advantage.Tellme,Tor, who's more powerful, you orAspen?"

Hisfingers relaxed, his jaw clenched in frustration, but he didn't let go. "Shewould never hurt me."

"Andyou'd never hurt her,"Isaid, provingIgot that much. "Ikinda figured that part out.Italso means that so long asI'minAspen'sgood graces - which is my definition of friendship, so you know - you don'tscareme.Stopacting like a bully."

Shakinghis head, he finally pulled his arm away. "Fine, but if you hurt her,Iwill destroy you.Iwill make sure you regret it."

"Yeah,Ifigured that out too,"Iassured him. "YouandAspenare close.Iget it.Youwant to protect her.Cool.Andso you know,this?Yankingme around, snarling at me like some fucktoy?It'snot my definition of friendship."

Hejust huffed out a laugh, those green eyes watching me intently. "Youknow, they all thinkshe'sthe crazy one."Heleaned in a little more and dropped his voice to a deep rumble. "They'rewrong."

I'dbeen about to leave, completely ready to walk off, but that stopped me beforeIcould even turn. "Whatdo you mean?"

"Aspen," he explained. "Shechannels her magic into her plants so it doesn't spill over.Shewas never taught how to control it before she came here, and..."Heglanced back, checking to make sure we were alone. "She'sstronger than any of the teachers, evenMs.Rhodes."

"Andyou're stronger,"Iguessed.

"Morecontrolled," he corrected. "Idon't thinkI'mstronger.Hermagic was never tethered.Itknows no bounds.Theycall it untamed, but she was raisedhere.Sheknows how to live inthisworld."Hiseyes searched mine. "Idon't.Iwent fromFaerieto theSparks' for a matter of months, then here - surrounded by fae.You'renot fae."

"ButIthought you saidIact like it?"Iwas completely lost now.

Torianshoved a hand over his hair, pushing it out of his face. "Youdo.That'sthe confusing part.Ifyou bumbled around like a normal human,Iwouldn't forget."

"Sohow about you treat me like you'd treat your sister,"Itold him.

Hiseyes dropped down my body, the look anything but subtle. "Idon't think that will work."

"No?"Ihooked a finger under his chin to lift his eyes back to my face. "Letme make this very clear to you,Torian.Thereare a lot of very pretty boys at this school.You'reone of many, and pretty is only skin deep.Iprefer a kind attitude to sharp jaws and high cheekbones.Actlike a dick, and all your flirting will be pointless.Soyou know, dragging me away from my friends counts right up there on the dick levels."

Hejust laughed. "Andyou thoughtIwasAspen'sboyfriend.Shit, that makes more sense."

"What?"He'dchanged subjects too fast for me to follow.

"Whyyou shot me down that first day," he explained. "YouthoughtIwas trying to get a side piece.Isee."

"Wereyou?"Iasked.

Hestepped right into me, so close our chests almost touched, butIwouldn't back up.Ihad to tilt my head soIwasn't staring at his amazing chest, though.Damn, how did he get muscles like that eating nothing but fruit?Andno,Idefinitely should not touch them.Iwas trying very hard to make a point, butIkindawanted to poke him at least once, just to check if his pecs felt as solid as they looked.

"No,Iwas not hunting for a side piece," he assured me. "Iwas trying to see just how easily you bend, butIthink you have a little drool..."Hereached over and wiped at the corner of my mouth.

Itwas supposed to be a taunting gesture, poking fun at me for checking him out a moment ago, but his touch was a little too soft.Myheart skittered a bit faster asIlooked at him.Hishand paused, his thumb just touching my lower lip, andToriancocked his head ever so slightly.Irefused to turn to jello at his good looks, but that only seemed to confuse him more.

"Whatare you?" he breathed.

Istepped back, breaking the contact while trying to keep my pride. "That'ssupposed to be my line."

Henodded, but his expression was still confused.Itwas like he knew the steps to this dance, but his mind was elsewhere. "Stilldoesn't answer the question, though.RainBrooks- that can't be coincidence.Yourname is made of nature."

"Coincidenceor not, sexy or not, your little ego needs to come down a peg,"Itold him. "Believeit - or not - butIcan still think when my panties are wet."

Thesmile returned. "Arethey?Wet,Imean?"

"No,"Isaid, stepping back just to point at my chest. "Human, remember?"

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