Page 28 of Alice and Her Shifters (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 2)

The amulet belonged to me. It was left to me by my mother. I’d be damned if someone tried to take it from me again. I need to be prepared for that. Another reason for training.

I sighed.

Footsteps headed toward me, drawing my attention. Aidan and Calvin headed toward me.

I was out of time. They were coming back for me after all.

With another heavy sigh, I started back down the road. I ignored the curious, questioning gazes Calvin and Aidan gave me as I passed them. When I got to the end, I faced Milo.

“Fine. Let’s do this,” I said.

Milo stared at me with a gambit of emotions fluctuating through his expression. He ended up with his typical smile and clapped his hands together. “Excellent.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” I said.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my dear,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow at him suddenly calling me his dear, but I let it go. I had other things to focus on and put my energy into. Deciphering Milo’s many riddles wasn’t one of them. At least for the night.

12

AIDAN

Calvin sighed. “Let’s go try to calm her down and get her to see reason.”

I nodded and started to follow Calvin back toward my house. Allison stood in the doorway, almost as if she was questioning whether or not to go back through all the blood and death. What I didn’t expect was her deciding to return on her own.

Milo had a way of grating on everyone’s nerves. Including my own. I didn’t blame her for walking off. She needed rest and she needed to cool down. Milo and Calvin were unwilling to accept that.

I stared at her curiously as she passed by me with a look of determination on her face. I switched my attention to Milo who seemed rather proud and victorious. His expression wasn’t a great sign of what was to come, and I was sure we would never hear the end of his boasting when this was all done and over with.

I wondered what had changed her mind. Far as I could tell, she walked to my house, turned around, and walked back. From what I understood of her, she didn’t make such decisions within the spur of the moment. That wasn’t her. She had to have come to terms with things somehow.

I wish I could ask her. I wish I had the clarity to carry a conversation with her. With anyone, really. But especially her.

Either way, I was proud to see her accepting training. I would have gladly been the one to teach her had I not had the curse making everything impossible for me. Milo was the next best option. The only option for now.

Calvin and I exchanged a brief glance before watching the session begin. Milo pointed to a spot in the middle of the road and said, “Go stand there.”

Alisson nodded and did as she was instructed. Calvin and I turned returned to our spots on the side of the road and took a seat, watching as the training began.

“Magic is a process of equal exchange,” Milo said. “Essentially, you get what you give.”

So far, he was off to a great start. Magic 101, rule 1.

“What does that mean?” Allison asked. “Is it like the saying from all those fantasy shows?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Milo said and started to continue his lesson.

I had no clue what she referred to either, but I was curious to know more.

“You know…” Alison said.

Milo snapped his mouth closed. A flash of annoyance burned through his eyes.

“The ones that say all magic comes with a price,” she finished.

Fascinating, I thought.

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