Page 77 of The Cursed Fae

“Your dad said all we have to do is get approval first. Why didn’t we just do that? And why did your father tell me to leave the protecting to the adults?”

This had been bothering me all day. The ritual had proven time-consuming, but still pretty basic. Chancellor Keene had no trouble believing that I would attempt it on my own. Why would a ghost summoning spell make the chancellor assume I was trying to protect myself?

“I mean, this is for your initiation, right?” I pressed.

“Yes, of course it is,” Laz said, sounding a tad too earnest for my taste. “But I didn’t think Mrs. Canterwald would agree to it. Not if I told her you’d be helping. I really am sorry. I’ll talk to Dad and get it all straightened out, I promise.” He gave me puppy dog eyes. “Do you forgive me?”

I sighed. “Honestly, I should probably thank you. Now I have official permission to practice real magic.”

Laz cringed a little.

“What?” I demanded.

“You don’t have permission yet. You have to pass the practicum first. It won’t be easy.”

“You sound like your dad,” I grumbled.

He slung an arm over my shoulders and squeezed. “You’ve got me. I will make sure you pass. Then we can stop sneaking around. I’ll talk to my father.”

That wasn’t my goal, though I appreciated the offer. Still, I shook my head. “It’s fine. No use in him thinking both of us are irresponsible. It’s nothing new for me.”

Laz placed a smacking kiss on my cheek. “Let me make it up to you. Can I take you out to dinner tomorrow night before we go to the cove?”

I pretended to consider the invite. Laz had a way of breaking through my irritation, and I just couldn’t stay mad at him.

“Yeah. Okay.” I narrowed my eyes. “Whether I forgive you depends on how good the date is.”

His gray gaze smoldered with the same promise as his words. “Oh, don’t worry. It’ll be the best night of your life.”

Chapter twenty-seven

Love Shack

The weekend started on the wrong side of the bed. I slept through my alarm—again. My eyes finally popped open when Tina pinched my cheek.

“Oww,” I groaned, swatting at her hand.

She stepped back, already fully dressed in a sweater, jeans, and knee-high boots. “Are you okay?” My roommate almost sounded concerned.

I rubbed my face and yawned loudly. “Yeah. Just tired. I haven’t built up my magical muscles yet.”

She frowned. “You were talking in your sleep again.”

I tried to recall what I’d dreamt, but couldn’t conjure a single image. “Oh, um, sorry.”

Tina sighed. “Whatever. The alarm on your phone has gone off four times. I have to be down at Town Square in fifteen minutes to set up for the Omega Society fundraiser. Astrid said you’re coming?”

“Yeah.” I stretched my arms, groaning at the aches. “I’ll be there.”

She studied me as though trying to decide whether to say something. After a long moment, she turned and left without muttering a word.

“Good morning to you too,” I grumbled, pulling the covers up over my head.

As much as I wanted to, I didn’t go back to sleep. I promised Astrid I’d be there to support their booth at the Fall Carnival. Belle and Morgan were also part of the Omega Society, and all three of my friends had set-up duty along with Tina. That left me riding into town with Fern.

By the time I dragged myself from bed and languished in a steamy shower, she’d texted me twice to ask when I wanted to leave. I dried my hair and pulled on the warmest clothes in my closet.

A pop-up hot chocolate bar in late September would’ve normally been nuts. But with a pretty blanket of snow draped over Arcane Landing, it completed the storybook picture. People were already turning up in droves to purchase the expensive artisanal drinks when Fern and I arrived at Town Square.

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