Page 93 of Mistaken Magic

Torian'seyes narrowed. "Iknow that's a lie, but it feels like it wants to be the truth."

"No,"Wildersaid. "Thebuzzing feeling.It'ssubtle, but she's using a loophole."

Aspengasped. "You'relying like the fae!It'salmost true, but not quite."

Ijust pointed to my face. "Butdid you see the expression?HowIlook away, don't want to meet your eyes, and there's something too stiff about it?"

"Soyou like my sister, huh?"Torianasked.

Iglanced at her, feeling my lips split into a smile that was a bit too big. "Maybe."

"Andwhile true, that feels like a lie,"Hawketold me. "Tor, sorry, butI'mso into this idea.They'recute."

Toriangroaned. "Ofcourse you are."Thenhe looked at me. "Doit again.Iwant to see."

Frombeside our table came a deep laugh. "Ofcourse you do,Tor."

"Keir!"Igasped, turning to see him.

"Whathas this table giggling loud enough the whole dining hall is watching?" he asked.

"Yourface is purple,"Isaid just as calmly asIcould.

Wilderactually tittered, the noise coming from him three octaves too high.Torianhowled while bothHawkeandAspenslapped their hands over their lips.

"Areyou drunk on oak syrup?"Keirasked.

Ishook my head. "They'recurious about lies."Iturned back toAspen. "I'mgonna go meet his friends."

"Go!" she insisted. "I'vemonopolized you enough.Wouldn'tbe a good fairy godmother ifIdidn't make you show off that dress!"

"Fairybestie,"Icorrected.

Shejust smiled. "It'sa good title.Betterthan the oneIused.Alsocauses less issues."

"Mythought exactly."ThenIpushed my chair back. "So, where are your friends,Keir?"

Hedidn't turn immediately.Instead, he looked over atTorian. "Let'snot make a scene, hm?"

"Agreed,"Toriansaid, flicking a hand as if shooing me away.

"Dick,"Igrumbled, grabbingKeir'sarm to tow him away.

Heturned me slightly, knowing which table his friends were at. "Thatwas for me, actually."

"Whatis the deal between you two?"Iasked, because there was clearly a little animosity.

Hechuckled. "Callit a culture clash."Hesmiled down at me. "Andlet me introduce you to most of the offensive combat class.Rain, these are the guys.Guys,RainBrooks."

Thetable before me was set toward the side, but only one row away from where the teachers sat.Iwas overly aware ofLiamwatching me, but he wasn't actually my uncle.Oddly,Ifelt more concerned about what he thought thanIever had most of my foster parents, though.Glancingup,Ifound him talking animatedly withBrackenand another teacher down the table.ThenIturned my eyes back to the group of guys all inspecting me.

"She'scute," one said. "Human, right?"

Keirgroaned. "That'sFin, short forFinley.He'smy suitemate.Overthere isDaivon,Axel,Bran, andPascal."

Ilifted my hand in the dorkiest of greetings. "Hey."

"Seriously,"Fininsisted. "You'recompletely human?"

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