Page 21 of Woven Souls

“Why not take Viktor?”

I blink in surprise.Me?

“Viktor?” Willow looks at me like I just appeared next to her out of thin air. “ThisViktor? The one who can’t keep his mouth shut or fists to himself?”

I sputter as mortification heats my veins. Theodon gives a single, sharp nod.

“Viktor studied with warlocks before becoming a Ghost. He knows their tells, and he knows the general workings of magic. He’s the best choice to sit in and listen to what Fredrick has to say. He’s also probably the most intimidating—”

“I think Kwil may have him beat,” Jonah teases as he walks in with a plate of breakfast that consists of one egg and a piece of burnt toast.

I glare at the man, who only chuckles. Swallowing my irritation, I turn back to Willow.

“He is right. I have studied with warlocks long enough to know what to look for if this one decides to pull the wool over your eyes.”

Willow eyes me suspiciously. “Alright, fine. I never thought I’d ever say thisbut… Viktor, do you want to go on a date with me?”

When she puts it that way, I suddenly find my hands clammy. I haven’t been on a date sinceher. Trying to downplay my sudden nervousness, I force my mouth into a semblance of a smile.

“Yes, Willow, I’ll go on a date with you.”

Theodon nods, content that we have this settled. He pulls out a simple, brown leather wallet from his back pocket and hands it to Willow.

“I heard that you can buy almost anything and have it brought to the house. So why not use the funds I’ve kept stashed here to buy a few things to prepare for this evening?”

Willow’s smile is brighter than the sun.

“I’m going to make you pay for giving away my VW bus,” she promises as she snatches the wallet from him.

A chuckle slips past my lips as Theodon frowns.

“You brought that upon yourself,” I tell him as I leave the room.

I have a date to prepare for.

Chapter6

JONAH

Any other time, if Willow was trying on lingerie, I’d be enthralled.

Right now, however, my eyes are glued to the pile of clothes folded up in front of me on the floor. There are five shirts, five pairs of pants with an elastic band that are a size larger to accommodate my tail, a black hoodie, a package of boxers, and a set of pajamas. Beside the pile of clothes sits a new toiletry set, a pair of shoes, and socks. I work to swallow, but there seems to be a knot in my throat blocking that ability right now. There also seems to be something in my eyes because they won’t stop blurring until I rub away the water gathering in them.

My hands trail over the shirt on top of the pile. It’s soft. Likereallysoft.

And it’s my size.

That knot in my throat grows larger.

“—you listening, Jonah?”

I look up to catch Willow staring at me through the reflection of the large mirror she bought and then placed against the wall of the bedroom.

“Ah, nope. What did you say?”

Willow frowns as she studies my face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I answer too quickly.

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