Page 19 of Do You Even Hex, Bro?
"But the spell—" Rowan begins.
"May or may not work," Killian cuts him off. "Either way, we're taking matters into our own hands. We'll find a Bonded the old-fashioned way."
"Which is?" I ask, taking a swig of my beer.
"We hunt." Killian's eyes gleam with purpose. "We search every magical gathering in Stormvale. Investigate every coven, every solitary practitioner. We find a witch who fits our pack."
"Yeah!" Sean says, pumping his fists in the air. "Witch hunt!"
We all stare at him.
"No, dumbass," Killian growls.
"Oh. right, that's a different thing," Sean says sheepishly. "Uh, hunt for cunt, then?"
Killian buries his face in his hand with a loud groan.
"So, what, we just go out and interview any witches who are willing to talk to us?" Rowan asks doubtfully.
"If necessary," Killian says, nodding with a tired, drawn-out sigh. "But I'm thinking more along the lines of feeling it out. Our wolves will know our Bonded when we find them. It's instinct."
"That hasn't exactly worked for us so far," Rowan points out reasonably. "We've been at this university for two-and-a-half years."
"We haven't been desperate enough before," Killian counters. "Now we are. Starting tonight."
"Tonight?" I nearly choke on my beer. "It's already past midnight."
Killian grins. "Perfect time to find a witch, don't you think?"
I groan, already knowing I won't win this argument. When Killian gets that look in his eyes, we're all just along for the ride.
"Where do you suggest we start?" Rowan asks, ever practical.
"The Cauldron," Killian decides, naming the supernatural-friendly bar near campus. "It's Friday night. Place will be crawling with magicals."
"I'm game," Sean says, predictably enthusiastic about any plan involving a bar and single women. He bounds to his feet, already reaching for his jacket. "Maybe Sadie's spell will give us some kind of magical GPS."
"That's not how any of this works," I mutter, but drain my beer anyway and set the bottle on the counter. "Fine. Let's go… not witch-hunting."
Killian claps me on the shoulder as he passes, heading for the door. "That's the spirit. And if your sister's spell actually works, it's a bonus. But I'm not betting our future on it."
I follow him out, Rowan and Sean close behind. The night air is cool against my face, carrying a thousand scents—damp earth, distant food from the campus dining halls, the lingering perfume and cologne of students heading to parties or returning from them.
And something else.
Something I can't quite identify.
A new scent on the breeze, faint but distinctive. Magic, but not like Sadie's familiar spice and darkness. This is different. Electric. Alive.
For a moment, I wonder if I'm imagining it. If Sadie's ritual has me seeing—or smelling—things that aren't there. But then Killian pauses, his head lifting slightly as he scents the air, and I know he feels it too.
"You smell that?" he asks quietly.
I nod. Sean and Rowan look confused, their noses working but clearly not picking up what Killian and I sense.
"What is it?" Rowan asks.
Killian shakes his head. "Don't know. But it's... interesting."
