Page 26 of These Witches Don't Burn
The redhead’s pale face blushes a soft pink, accentuating the dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks. “Hey, Gemma. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Hannah. The super talented best friend I told you about.” Gem raises her brows suggestively, and I’m afraid to know what she told this girl about me. “Hannah, this is Morgan Hughes. She just moved to Salem.”
Morgan grins at me, her gaze sweeping across my tight shirt, down to the shorts that hang low on my hips, and then back up again. Gemma introduces the other dancer, but her name doesn’t register in any meaningful way. I’m too distracted. Morgan steps forward, all grace, curves, and long lines.
She holds out her slender hand and waits for me to take it. I slip my hand in hers, and I’m certain my face is redder than her hair.
“Nice to meet you,” she says as I hastily drop her hand.
“You too,” I say, my skin tingling where it touched hers. “Will you be at Salem High in the fall?”
“Yeah.” Morgan runs a finger along the rim of her empty cup. “Nice of my parents to move me in time for my senior year, huh?”
“Promotion at work?” I guess.
“Something like that.” Morgan fusses with her hair; her crystal-blue eyes never leave my face. “At least I have dance this summer to meet people before school starts. My first day shouldn’t be too terrible.” She glances away, and the beginning of a smile pulls at her lips. “Especially if you’re there.”
I freeze. Is she... No, she can’t be. Gemma would have told me if there was a queer girl in her dance class. But Morgan glances back at me, smiling. Is she actually...
Flirting.
With me?
Oh god. What do Ido?
I shoot Gemma a panicked look.
Thankfully, she notices and gives me a quick nod. “Come on, girls. Let’s dance.” She drags Morgan and the shorter dancer toward the living room with her.
Morgan turns as they near the doorway, spinning with a ballerina’s grace. “Hannah, want to come with?” Her voice is light and full of promise, her vowels slightly Midwestern. Something about it turns my insides to mush.
I shake my head, but I can’t keep the smile off my face. “You three go ahead. I’ll meet you in a bit.” When they’re gone, I press a cold water bottle to my face.
Someone slow claps behind me. “Well, that was embarrassing.” I turn and find Veronica leaning against the back wall, wearing a short dress with a plunging neckline and kitten heels. “A stunning reminder of why you’ll be single forever.”
“Grow up.” I cross the room to my ex, hoping my face isn’t as red as it feels.How does she always manage to make me feel so underdressed?“Do you have them?”
Veronica pushes off from the wall and balances a hand on her hip. “Could you sound more like a junkie? I’m not your dealer.”
“You know what I mean.” I pull her toward the corner of the room, out of the flow of people. With the heels, I have to tilt my head up to meet her gaze. “Did you get the crystals from your mom?”
Something flashes in Veronica’s eyes. “Who was that?”
“Why? Jealous?”
“Of her? Please.” Veronica examines her nails, freshly manicured after last weekend’s incident in the woods. “I’m not jealous of some skinny ginger.”
She saysgingerlike it’s a bad thing; I happen to have a special place in my heart for redheads. But I don’t tell Veronica that. I still need her help. “Do you have the crystals or not?”
Veronica reaches into her small clutch and pulls out a silver chain with two stones dangling from the end. “There’s chrysocolla for honest communication,” she says as she undoes the clasp on the necklace. “And rose quartz to make you irresistible.” Veronica reaches to put the necklace on for me, but I step back.
“I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself, thank you.” I grab the thin chain and clasp it around my neck. “And rose quartz won’t make me ‘irresistible.’ It’ll just encourage people to open upto me. Promote trust and empathy.” I grip the stones; their power pulses slow and deep. “Did you already activate them?”
“Yeah. They’re good to go.” Veronica cracks open a beer and takes a long drink. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Thanks,” I say, weighing the crystals against my palm.I hope this works.
“Whatever. I still think this is a terrible idea.” She takes another sip of her beer. “I saw Evan out back by the fire pit. Go chase your Blood Witch. I’m going to find Savannah.”
