Page 2 of How To Summon A Memory
I shake my head, knowing the answer. “They’re familiar. I just can’t place them.”
“They’re familiar because you’ve been dreaming about them foryears.” A smile tugs at Flo’s lips.
I can’t help matching the smile. “True. I don’t even remember when they started showing up.”
“I do. It started when Cordia sent us to Hellion, Illinois, for our first full year of teaching. You had nightmares for weeks, thentheyshowed up.”
I tip my head as I try to trace back my memory. It was my first time away from Hex and everything I knew. My grandmother wanted Florence and I to teach at several different witch universities before we came home to Hex. Wanted us to be more worldly, so we’d be better teachers. We’ve only been back in Hex for about six months now. “I think you’re right.”
“Somehow they’re protecting you, I think. But it could still be for nefarious reasons.” Florence taps their bottom lip. “Though I can’t think of why a demon would want to take away nightmares.”
“Exactly. I don’t understand. Are they even real?” That’s all I want to know. Through the years, I’ve hoped they’re more than just my imagination.
“We’ll figure it out some day.” Flo reaches for and squeezes my hand. “But I have something more fun to talk about.” They wiggle their brows as they whip out a hot pink flyer covered in glitter. “I know what we’re doing for your birthday.” They wave the paper in my face, raining glitter everywhere as I try to read. “It’s a masquerade party at this place called Flutter and Fangs. It’ll be perfect for your twenty-fourth. Maybe you can find a lover before our ridiculous wedding.” Their eyes roll at the same time I roll mine.
“I still plan on getting us out of the arranged marriage.” I’ve been saying that since I was nine, though.
Finally, I snatch the flyer from their grip to read the details. “I think my uncle Drake used to own this place before…” Before he lost his ever loving mind over a Fae. I never met Lark, but I hear he’s living his best life between three realms.
“Maybe? Come on. It’s been so long since we’ve been in Hex proper we need to explore one last time before we’re locked down for whatever the covens have planned for us.” Florence shivers at the same time as I do. We’ve been begging for years to be released from the contract, but our families never budge. We’re supposed to join the Speller and Hallow covens as one.
My grandmother leads the Speller coven, the leading coven in Hex. All Hex decisions come down to her. For now. If Florence and I have our way, Hex will have a leading council that shows the blend of the town: witches, demons, vampires, shifters, everyone. But as it is, Spellers rule and the two of us aren’t sure it’s the best decision for the town any longer.
Florence’s father leads the Hallow coven and I’m not sure between him and my father, who was more demanding.
In the beginning, demons and witches worked together to create Hex and the barriers that keep us safe from prying human eyes. In the beginning, there was a balance of leadership. But over the decades, witches slowly took over, and the demons retreated back to the demon realm. That’s not how it was supposed to be. Demons aren’t even allowed on campus property, which I find ridiculous.
“We just have to find a way into Hex proper without your grandmother finding us.”
“About that?—”
“Professor Speller,” Kayla calls out sweetly before I can tell Florence I have a plan for that, but I have to smooth out the details.
Flo and I both bite off a laugh.
“Yeah?” I look around Florence without getting up, which gives me the hint of a pout from the student.
“What happens if?—”
There’s a pop and shouts ring out as a glass bobble rises in the air and spins as it glows so brightly it’s blinding.
I push to my feet. “Shut. It. Down, Kayla.”
“But—” She bats her lashes just like Lettie had.
“Don’tbutme.” I stomp towards the lab tables. “You were the top of your high school graduating class and knowexactlyhow to disassemble this. In fact, I know this exact potion was your senior study project. So shut it down. As for the rest of you, anyone else that incorrectly makes potions on purpose to gain my attention will recieve a zero for the class. Am I understood?”
The students stand to attention and nod.
“Prof?” Tanner lifts a hand.
“You’re fine, Tanner. I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” He’s one of the students that actually needs the class and takes everything seriously.
The spinning bottle wobbles in the air as Kayla reaches for it. She glares at me the entire time, but I think I got my point across, finally.
There’s a pop from the other end of the table and she smirks.
“Duck!” Tanner yells before shards of glass shred across the room.
