Page 34 of Venomous Lies
Wells was sitting on the floor in front of the couch, books spread out everywhere along with pens, paper, and a huge brown book that was laying open. The topmost pages were filled with scribbles, notes, and what looked like sketches.
He looked up as I approached and gave me a wide smile as he told me to sit down wherever I wanted. Fluffy brown hair was, as usual, in complete disarray while his dark-washed jeans and henley somehow looked nicely put together—at least it looked really good compared to the oversized t-shirt and biker shorts that I wore whenever coloring my hair.
There was just no getting the dye out of clothes once they were stained… unless Wells knew of a spell that could work? Given my limited scope of magick, I’d never bothered to?—
“Isla?”
“Sorry.” I shook my head before letting out a small chuckle. “My brain is wandering a ton today.”
Taking him up on the offer, I settled down beside him, resting my book on my lap. It still felt so unreal to have one in my hands, and I hated the thought of being parted from it. Some part of me that I didn’t realize was missing felt present now.
“We can just start with the basics, so you can take what works for you and leave the rest.” Wells focused on me intently. “Every witch’s grimoire is different and unique to them. What’s in my book and what’s in yours might be similar at times, but everything will be suited to you and how your magick works.”
I nodded in understanding, remembering hearing this at the academy when others started putting their books together the first year.
“Personally, I didn’t start mine until my first year at academy, but my sisters, for example, started putting theirs together as children. Spells, drawings, things they found while exploring— it was all relevant for them. Anything you want, from anywhere, can be added to your book.”
“Question.” I started to chew my bottom lip before releasing a deep breath. “I didn’t start my grimoire as a kid because my moms aren’t witches, so they don’t know anything about creating them. Then my academy said I didn’t have enough power or aptitude to create a book because I couldonlydo plant-based magick and some mental shields. I can’t use magick to clean things up, hide things, or travel like you’ve done?—”
“Then that’s what you’ll put in there—plant-based magick.”
My mouth opened and closed a few times, but nothing came out. He said it so plainly, like it was the simplest thingin the world. The teachers and kids at the academy had thought I was stupid, ‘too inept to need to create my own book because my powers were so singularly focused.’ That was exactly how one of my teachers worded it, disdain dripping from every word.
Now here was Wells, just saying to focus on that one ability like it was the easiest thing in the world.
“Isla? Are you?—?”
“Hair dye must have gotten in my eyes,” I said, rapidly blinking as I looked at anything but him.
“Wouldn’t hair dye hurt a lot more?” he asked. The hint of laughter in his voice made me give up on avoiding him in favor of glaring at him instead.
“Wells Hawthorne, you’re on thin ice.”
Bursting into laughter, he held up his hands in surrender which just made me join him.
It was nice. This was something I really needed, hang-out time with Z and Wells, too. Nothing related to mates popping up or attacks on campus, just time with friends.
“Maybe your herbology professor can help you with expanding whatever you put in the grimoire,” Wells suggested after we managed to get ourselves under control.
“Oh, that’s a good idea!” As I said that, Wells looked down at his watch and sighed, the exaggerated sound full of annoyance. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to get going and head to divination. I forgot we had to start a big project today, so they wanted us to arrive earlier than normal.” He started gathering his things. “Did you need any notebooks for copying notes? I remember you said you had just been using your laptop for classes?—”
“Oh, actually, if you have extras…”
“Here.” He pushed all the notebooks he had brought inmy direction. “Use whatever you need. You can just give me back what you don’t use.”
My eyebrows rose in surprise as my eyes darted from the stack to my friend. It was his turn to avoid my gaze as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
“Did you get these just for me?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Wells froze, his fingers on the doorknob.
“What if I did?” he asked without turning around. Before I could respond, he cleared his throat and shook his head. “What are friends for? I’ll see you later.”
I blinked as he rushed out of the suite, then stared down at everything he had brought me.
It wasn’t just a stack of notebooks.
