Page 12 of The Witch & the Grizzly

“My magic… hmm…” He seemed reluctant to pull away to talk. For a crazed second, she thought he wanted to close the distance between them and kiss her. Her eyes darted to his lips, then back to his eyes. She sucked in her bottom lip.

“Well. It seems I have a close relative who was likely a pure-blooded fae. It was my grandfather, whom we think charmed my grandmother. There’s debate whether the magic strips away someone’s will or if it just unlocks the animal lust within them, much the same way a drug can unleash chemicals in your brain. I am sure it’s the latter. The people who are pulled to me… they want me, and they want me bad.” He said it matter-of-factly and without arrogance. It was just a normal, inevitable aspect of his existence with the magic.

“The way you mentioned it before, it sounded more like a burden and a curse,” she said. With that, they let go of each other’s hands. Both knew they’d held hands for far too long, but neither cared. Also, the tea had grown cold in their cups. No one else in the little place seemed to exist except them, wrapped up in each other’s stories and presence.

“Some of the people who end up with me reject me but are honest about feeling the attraction, which I admire. Others love the growing desire so much that they’ll let it sweep them away. None, however, have that much will to want to stay with me, and that tells me more than anything that it’s an active choice on their part. So… the magic seems to unlock the primal part of a person’s brain like they’re smelling powerful pheromones or breathing in a drug that opens their minds to me. The magic also allows people to relax in my presence and for me to make fast friends and get people to trust me before they start questioning it. I also seem to be able to sense when other people are glamoured or are trying to glamour – or have that fae presence as well.”

He gulped down the rest of his tea, which was as stone cold as hers, which she also sampled. “In other words, I’m very good at sensing fae. I know when they’re using their magic or if they’ve been enchanted. I know when a human has been enchanted. And I believe that the fae realm doesn’t have a detrimental effect on me if I stay too long. For other people who don’t have such a strong connection, I think it can do odd things to their minds and bodies.”

She thought she felt the primal part of her brain unlocking itself. She didn’t usually feel this confident, this bold. She liked it. Something was intoxicating about it. Maybe he was influencing her in this way, using the magic just as he described to reveal the hidden parts, to empower them. But she also knew, deep within, that she had this capability as well, that all it took was a little courage and the right company.

She suspected that if she allowed things to continue, she’d be very tempted to explore the limits of that sensory attraction to him. She would want to be entirely sober so she could remember every last second of it and run through it over and over again. Something within her melted as if suddenly exposed to warmth after a long stint in the cold.

Perhaps he suspected that, too, for something in his eyes twinkled, and his smirk grew more pronounced, more arrogant, almost. “The fae realm is a strange place, from my understanding. I haven’t explored it in depth with my job yet, though, with this current job, I have a strong suspicion that everything is leading to that place. It’ll be the biggest test of my magic yet. Perhaps it’s the biggest test for you, too. Have you been able to read the potions book you were given yet?”

“Not yet. I… I was a little too focused on getting ready to come here. I really didn’t want to miss out on it.” She wondered if admitting this might seem too desperate, too eager. She didn’t want to give that impression. She hoped it wouldn’t come off as negative and push him away from her. And now, her mind was sweating, overthinking, and breaking the mood.

“I understand; don’t worry,” he said, smiling and patting her hand. She wondered if all her thoughts were obvious – if her face was broadcasting the thoughts and feelings roiling within. “I’m interested in what kind of potions are in there when you do look through it.” He stared down at his empty cup, perhaps debating whether to pour himself more or think of something else entirely. The light caught his amber-brown hair, and she examined the shadows cast along his cheekbones, such symmetry.

He made a show of checking the time and said, “It’s later than I thought.”

The time startled her as well, jerking her out of the physical inspection.

“I… enjoyed this,” he said. “We’ll most likely be interacting more. And… if it’s okay with you, I’d want to do things differently this time. I’d want to take you somewhere. I’d want to buy you a drink. I’d want… things to lead from there.”

Her heart raced upon hearing those words, and again, her mouth went dry. She poured herself a little more tea, hoping it might calm her down. It was an effort to keep her hands steady and not be too obvious about her physical feelings.

Things to lead from there… Oh, it was so hard not to let her fantasies run wild. She took a deep breath, slowed her mind, and asked, “But…?”

The smile softened. “I’m no longer interested in doing things the way I used to. I think – at least, if I’m understanding correctly – you’re also not interested in things being the same as before.”

“I’m not,” she said, not sure if what he might say next would be enlightening or disappointing. She kept her questions within, waiting with bated breath for his response.

“Good,” he said, his voice low and throaty. “Let’s try and do things normally. We’re going to skip everything I just mentioned. We’re going to exchange numbers. Actually, exchange numbers and not just forget about it a moment later like last time… and arrange for a proper date when we’re both free and willing if you’re up for it.”

“Oh,” she said, eyes wide, feeling as if a light had switched on in her brain. “Oh. Right. That is actually… genius?” Why the hell hadn’t she thought of that before? Why hadn’t something as basic and normal ever been at the forefront when it came to all her interactions with other people?

She had no clue and wanted to kick herself for it.

“You sound… surprised.” He smiled and broke into a quick chuckle at her expression. “I take it that wasn’t something you’d considered before.”

“I really haven’t. I feel so stupid right now,” she admitted. “Of course, if I want things to change – I have to actually change the thing.”

“That… yeah.” He nodded solemnly. “Totally. We change the thing. I think it’s clear there’s interest here. But I’d rather not rush headlong into it. I want to… be sure this is an active choice we’re making. Whether it becomes more serious or remains something casual, we’ll see. But at least we can approach our lives differently. No more drunk nights out, no more hasty sessions in the dark. Here’s my number, by the way.” He showed his phone to her, and she added it to her contacts, sending him a quick hi as a message to confirm that the number was indeed entered correctly.

They soon made their way out of the little coffee place, both opting not to go to the pulsing lights of the Gorserow bar, where Harriet and everyone were living the high, alcohol-fueled life. They headed back to Dreadmor Academy since he’d been given temporary residence there, but neither, for all their daring talk and flirting earlier, did anything bolder than hug when they finally separated to go to their respective rooms.

Encased in her room, at last, she reflected on the day. What a strange, long day it had been. And yet, it still wasn’t over.

Her hand reached for the Animal Sense potion bottled by her bedside on the little table that held a night light.

I shouldn’t, she thought, even as she unbottled it and took just a few drops. I’ve been so careful with this.

Her mind kept reflecting on the strange shyness of their interaction. It would’ve been so easy to transform that hug into something else. It would’ve been easy to deny what he requested and sink into the old ways once more. A bolt of electricity hit between her legs even as she thought that. The promise of doing things in a new way, of something so shiny and brilliant as a notion – was impossible to keep bottled up.

She was already charged, already sensitive, already tormented. She wanted to lose herself in a fantasy for just a while longer, safe in the confines of her room, body dancing to the pluck of her own fingers.

Chapter Four – Nathan

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