Page 101 of The Cursed Fae

“You could always channel someone,” Astrid suggested. “It would boost your magic temporarily.”

“I don’t know,” Laz interjected. “Channeling is pretty advanced, and when we’re talking about that amount of power...” He shook his head. “It’s risky.”

“Didn’t you let me channel you at the ghost-summoning-gone-wrong?” I asked, confused.

Astrid glanced between us, raising her eyebrows. Her gaze finally landed on him. “Is that true?”

His hand grew clammy against my skin. “Sort of. Not really, though—not what you’re talking about. It was more like I lent her some of my magic to amplify the spell.”

Which was a fancy way of saying yes.

I‘d thought a lot about that night and how things went catastrophically, but I hadn’t realized Laz gave me his power. Why had my reserves been so low that Astrid had to give me a transfusion?

She clearly wondered the same thing, but a pointed look from me kept her quiet. Only she and I knew about the transfer between us, and I wanted to keep it that way.

“Channeling is dangerous,” Astrid said, choosing her words carefully. “And you’d probably require someone with loads of magic... much more than Laz can supply.”

He frowned. “I’ve got plenty.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not enough for a portal, buddy. She’d need somebody with loads to spare.”

“Like a wolf?” I asked. They stared at me curiously, so I hurried to add, “They’re made of magic, right? But they can’t use it, so they’d have an abundance.”

“It could work. If we find a willing shifter who’s not opposed to playing lab rat,” Astrid said.

I only knew one wolf, and Ewan might’ve been open to a little experimentation. His vampire association meant asking him would be dicey, though.

Laz didn’t love the idea. Astrid had wounded his ego with her comment about his magic not being enough, added to his ingrained superiority complex over shifters. He would hate any plan involving other supernaturals.

I checked the time on my phone and started packing up my stuff. “I’m not sure, but I have to get to class.”

She stuffed her family grimoire in her messenger bag. “What are your plans for later?” she asked me, pulling the strap over her head.

“Schoolwork, sadly. I am perpetually behind.” I stood and slid on my backpack.

The three of us parted ways at the library doors. Laz gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before he left. I texted Lena as I walked. It was early on her coast, but worth a try. She messaged back asking whether this was an emergency or something that could wait until a non-ungodly hour. I smirked at the reply. She was okay.

I noticed the strange looks in my first class. People who’d never spoken to me smiled like we were buddies. In the hallway, a girl I didn’t recognize stopped to congratulate me on a prank well done. Two of Laz’s friends practically accosted me near the dorms, attempting to make a Winter sandwich before I escaped.

It wasn’t until I went down to the cafeteria for lunch and found Astrid and Morgan that I understood. The gossip mill had somehow learned I caused the lockdown the previous day. The other students seemed to believe I’d done it on purpose. A handful thanked me for getting them out of seminars and independent study sessions.

Throwing an invisible blanket over the entire campus was never my intention. No one believed that, not even Belle and Fern. When I tried to explain what really happened, they just laughed it off.

Luckily, it was Morgan’s 22nd birthday, which was a big deal in our community, especially for twins. I found it a little odd Chance didn’t join us, but not weird enough to say something and bring the focus back to me.

Astrid had ordered a chocolate mousse cake with blue roses and the Gemini constellation. It read “Happy Birthday Morgan!” in smooth yellow frosting. Belle produced a silver and pearl tiara—which did not appear to be costume jewelry—and placed it atop Morgan’s dark hair. Fern draped a sash across her shoulders.

I smiled through the festivities and sang an off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” with the others while she blew out her candles, but this was something I’d been dreading. Missy had asked if I would help her talk to Morgan tonight, and I’d agreed against my better judgment.

Learn to say no, I lectured myself as I ate a piece of possibly the best chocolate cake ever made.

“Thank you, girls.” Morgan beamed, though there was obvious sadness in her eyes. “This means so much to me.” Tears filled her brown gaze. “I love you all.”

There was a big group hug, and then she had to leave for afternoon lectures. It was a chance to get her alone, so I hurried after her instead of helping Astrid clean up. I caught up with Morgan in the hallway and fell in step beside her.

She smiled awkwardly. “You don’t have a class down this way right now.”

“Um, no. I got you a birthday gift,” I replied, a little breathless after my dash from the cafeteria.

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