Page 54 of A Lesson in Deceit
“Did you and Mateo have a fight?”
“Oh, I wish it was that simple. Mateo and I do not fight, we have discussions, by the way.”
I kicked my shoes off, tucking my feet under my legs. “Then what?”
“One of the witches came back.”
My eyes widened. She sat up, finding her glasses and placing them on her nose.
“Are they alright?”
Corrin shrugged. “She’s in one piece. She doesn’t really remember being taken, It’s super fuzzy. It happened so fast and then next thing she knew she was back on campus. She was in one of the herb gardens last night. The interim coven leadercalled us and when I was about to leave my mom questioned me like I was on trial, so I spilled the beans.”
I flinched, wondering how that conversation went. I didn’t have to wait long.
“If you are wondering how that went. It went terrible. My mom has wanted me out of this coven for a while, no real reason, but ideally not every witch needs one. I like belonging okay, sue me.” She waved her hands. “Back to the story, sorry, her parents are kind of livid…rightfully so. The school isn’t letting much out to the public. They like to handle things in a certain way, especially when it comes to witches. They might call for the fucking chancellor, who knows. She isn’t blaming anyone, she wasn’t physically hurt that she can remember, and I checked her over and well, all her organs are in the right place.”
“That’s a good thing, right? She’s okay.”
Corrin tugged on one of her tight curls. “Yes, that’s fantastic, but what the hell? Why take her and then let her come back like nothing happened? She said that the only thing that seemed off was that her mind felt like it had been probed and prodded at. She had a massive headache and said it felt like someone had searched around in there and then threw her back out.Then, she passed out.”
“Like someone was searching for something.” I said this more to myself, but Corrin was already nodding.
“Pretty much. It’s probably happening to the other one as we speak.”
“I’m sorry, Corrin.”
She blew out a breath and then gasped, “That was the other thing!” She jumped off her bed, rocking back on her heels as she stood in front of me.
“Now I’m nervous.”
“Ike was looking into each of the witches that were taken. Yes, they came from my coven, which could mean that someonein or close to the coven is shady. We know that already, but he also found out that all the witches that were taken all had the same powers inherently.”
I nodded, letting her know it was fine to continue.
“Telekinesis.”
I got off her bed, pacing. “The power that was used to throw my dad out his window. That person is taking people with the same magic skill, rummaging around in their mind…. for what? And they’ve been siphoning powers from witches in general…to what, gain more power for when people, even simple humans like my dad, try to confront them?” I placed my hand on either side of my head, my ears thrumming. Everything was stacking up on each other and I didn’t like nor did I know what to do with all the things I felt.
Corrin came up and placed her hands over my own. “Riley, it’s a lot, but I’m pretty sure we have a lot of pieces but no idea where they go. It’s like we are missing the corners of the jigsaw puzzle. We have a lot of middles, but no place to really start from.”
I laughed a little at her analogy. “I know, I know. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. This has to do with you as much as it has to do with me. If helping my fellow witches means also helping you then I call it a win all around.” She took my hands from my head, keeping her finger interlocked with mine. “The coven is taking extra precautions, so far Ike says that the witches that are missing are theonlyones who had that power in the coven, so maybe it’s done for now.”
I clucked my tongue. “Or maybe they’ll start searching elsewhere.” I looked over at my bag that I’d sat on the floor. I could have taken out the police report and showed her that River’s dad was the one who found mine, that he likely was involved in some way.
I wasn’t totally sure of that though and I also had no idea how he fit in with all the things Corrin was telling me. Maybe he had nothing to do with the witches, or maybe he knew who did. I needed a little more time before I attempted to expose my boyfriend’s dad, but how much time did I really have?
27
Riley
Isnatched my phone from the desk, before it could vibrate any louder. Asher didn’t move to look in my direction but simply kept teaching. I sighed in relief and then refrained from the loud gasp I wanted to let out when I saw the text.
RIVER
I may or may not have jerked off to the memory of you gagging on Grayson's cock.
