Page 23 of Do You Even Hex, Bro?
Ryan's voice carries from too close behind me. "Regina! Come on! Don't make this harder than it needs to be!"
I'm out of options and nearly out of time.
To my right, the porch wraps around toward the back of the house, and beyond it lies dense woods. Not ideal, but better than facing Kyle and his lackeys.
I leap off the porch, skidding on fallen leaves, and plunge into the forest. Branches whip at my face. Roots threaten to trip me. But I keep moving, using the trees for cover.
The forest floor slopes downward, and I follow it, hoping the descent will make pursuit more difficult. The sounds of campus fade behind me, replaced by the rustle of leaves and my own labored breathing.
When I can't run anymore, I slow to a brisk walk, putting one foot in front of the other through sheer force of will. My legs shake with exertion. My lungs feel shredded. But I can't stop. Not yet.
How far does this forest extend? It feels like I've been moving for hours, though my phone—which I somehow managed not to lose during my chaotic bathroom window escape—shows only twenty minutes have passed.
Four and a half hours left on Kyle's ultimatum. Not that it matters now. The countdown was just manipulation. He's already coming for me. Already found me.
I pause, leaning against a massive oak to catch my breath. The woods have grown quieter around me, the ambient sounds of birds and small animals fading to an unnatural stillness. Not good. Something has disturbed the natural order here.
Then, I hear it.
A howl splits the night air.
And before long, three others join it.
Could this night get any fucking worse?
Chapter
Six
KILLIAN
The Cauldron reeks of burnt coffee, contraband mugwort cigarettes, and enough academic anxiety to choke an elephant. Par for the course on a Friday night when half the magical population of Stormvale University is cramming for midterms. The barista—Dax, some kind of demi-fae with silver eyes that glow under the right light—stiffens visibly when we walk in. His hand twitches toward the emergency ward button under the counter.
"Killian," Dax says, practically choking on forced cheerfulness. "The usual for you guys?"
"Thanks, Dax." I flash my most diplomatic smile. All teeth, no warmth. The kind of smile that says I'll play nice, but we both know what I am and only one of us likes it.
I scan the room while he makes our drinks. Same sad scene as always. A cluster of elemental witches huddled near the back, frantically highlighting textbooks. Two vampires in the corner booth doing that weird stillness thing they do when they're trying to appear human and failing spectacularly. The trioof coven witches from Professor Lao's advanced spellcrafting seminar, giggling and sneaking glances our way.
"Your hunting ground awaits," I mutter to Micah, nodding toward the witches. "Work your magic, Romeo."
"Why me?" He pushes his glasses up his nose, an unnecessarily nerdy gesture for someone who once took down a rogue wendigo with his bare hands. "You're the pack leader."
"And you're the one who doesn't terrify them on sight." I grab my black coffee from the counter. "Besides, they already like you. I've seen the redhead watching you in Comparative Anatomy."
Sean claps Micah on the back hard enough to make him stumble. "Yeah, bro. She definitely wantsyourcomparative anatomy."
"You're a fucking idiot," Micah growls, but he's already moving toward their table.
I nod for Rowan to secure us a spot with sight lines to both exits. He understands without words, like always. The quiet one, the planner. Every pack needs someone who thinks before they act, especially when the rest of us are impulsive fucks with authority issues.
"Twenty bucks says he strikes out," Sean says, watching Micah approach the witches.
"Fifty says you strike out with every woman in here tonight," Rowan counters.
"You're on, asshole."
I tune out their bickering, focusing instead on the energy of the room. There's magic here, obviously—it's a supernaturalhangout—but nothing special. Nothing that screams "destined Bonded" or whatever mystical bullshit Sadie promised.
