Page 64 of The Cursed Fae

I came one breath short of adding that I’d found my way to the middle of a love triangle, which was also foreign territory. I stopped myself before making such a critical error.

Half of what I’d said went over Ewan’s head, though I noticed his expression tightened at the mention of the undead hybrids.

“Dude. I turn into a wolf. Not even just at the full moon, but, like, all the time. Fae think that’s abnormal. But that’s just my life.”

Despite my sudden mood shift, I laughed. His gaze moved to something behind me, and a dark cloud fell over his expression.

“You’d rather be cookie-cutter?” he continued. “Different is interesting. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.” Sliding his laptop off the table and into a messenger bag, Ewan stood and gave me a two-finger salute. “Later, Sable.”

“Wait. Where are you—” Then I saw Laz and muttered, “Never mind.”

He was in jeans and a sweater that made his eyes look more blue than gray. As he approached the table, Laz and Ewan engaged in a glaring contest. Shifters were naturally imposing, Ewan more so than others I’d encountered at school. Probably had something to do with being the alpha’s son—or maybe it was just him.

“Hey.” Laz dropped into the chair Ewan had vacated. “What were you two talking about?”

I took a sip of my coffee and regretted not using creamer. It was on par with gas station swill, though I felt much more alert with the strong buzz of caffeine running through me.

“We were just chatting.” I shrugged.

Laz looked like he wanted to say more, but dropped the subject. That left an awkward silence between us, which I felt the need to fill.

“I’m having dinner with my mom and Nana tonight,” I blurted out.

He reached for my coffee and took a sip, making a face at the bitter taste. “What are you doing after dinner? Want to study together in the library? I can start translating your book.”

Alone time with Laz was a bad idea. I needed to figure out the deal with Archer. Was there a deal with Archer? Maybe the kiss was the byproduct of too much adrenaline. I had just used my dimensional magic for the first time on purpose.

Besides, I had an after-dinner date with a spirit, at the same cove where vampires had attacked me. Not that I was looking forward to those plans, though I owed it to Missy to try.

“Sorry, not tonight. I was sort of thinking I would be over at Nana’s pretty late,” I said, failing to sound as apologetic as I’d hoped. “Maybe tomorrow?”

His smile dimmed, making the guilt over Archer turn to lead in my stomach.

“Tomorrow,” he agreed, snatching my coffee again. He shuddered after taking another gulp. “How do you drink this?”

I spent the rest of the day avoiding awkward encounters with Laz and dwelling on the kiss with Archer. Then I thought about all the fanged creatures suddenly invading Arcane Landing and my life, and felt ridiculous for devoting so much brain power to guys. This intensified my feelings of guilt over the Laz-Archer situation, bringing the shame spiral full circle.

In a mature move, I bailed on our practical magic lesson that afternoon so I wouldn’t have to face my unlabeled man-friend.

Nana came to pick me up for dinner just as the sun sunk over the horizon. Maybe it was her intuition or maybe it was my expression, but she gauged my mood immediately.

“Bad day, dear?” she asked as I slid into the front passenger seat and fastened the buckle with too much force.

“I’d rather not talk about it, if that’s okay?”

Nana smiled knowingly. “I told you to stay away from that Keene family. Nothing but trouble.”

My mother wasn’t at the house when we arrived. According to Nana, she was dealing with an issue for the elders. I didn’t press for details that my great-grandmother wouldn’t share anyway.

Over her famous chicken and dumplings, Nana asked questions about my classes and friends. She preferred pleasant dinner conversation, so I knew my great-grandmother was saving the less desirable business for dessert. Once the apple pie reached the table, all bets were off.

“Prophecies are a funny thing,” Nana said at last. “Most are self-fulfilling. Once known and discussed, they are far more likely to come true. It’s easy to see signs everywhere if you’re looking for them, both real and imagined.”

There wasn’t anything particularly spooky about her tone, yet I still shivered. Already, this conversation was heading down an ominous path. I wrapped my hands around my mug for warmth.

“Some fall in and out of fashion naturally over time, while others are purposely forgotten. The Prophecy of Eternals is both.” She sipped lavender tea from a cup with H.F.I.C. on it—head fae in charge—on one side and the Gemini constellation on the other. “Through the centuries, the High Fae Council has tried to bury it. Only the high elders know of it, to my knowledge. Still, children whisper the legends around campfires. The prophecy is like a living thing that just won’t stay dead no matter what we do.”

She chuckled at a joke I didn’t understand.

---