Page 20 of Spelled By Truth and Tresses

Jax’s lips pressed into a straight line. “Why the fuck would the elders keep a violent plant somewhere students could easily access it?” He grumbled, then crossed his arms, the veins in his forearms making my mouth water.

Dammit, Zellie. Keep your mind on the project and your legs closed. I reminded myself. Not to mention he’s purposely hiding something from me.

I didn’t know it was possible to find someone so attractive. I literally drooled.

“Hardly anyone comes up here and that specific plant craves flames. It can only survive when soaking in the essence of every fire emitted because it was derived from Hell.” I sighed, then smiled softly. I grabbed his hand and tugged until he dropped his defensive stance and allowed me to lead him over to the impressive mahogany study table on the other side of the bookcases.

Jax mumbled under his breath but I only caught pieces of it.

“Godsdamn plant…Tear its roots...fucking thing.”

Electricity pulsated between us, tempting me to give in to debauchery. The attraction isn’t real. Damn this beauty for complicating everything in my life.

No one wanted me for who I was. My looks dictated every relationship, hell, every conversation. I can’t develop more siren powers. How could my body possibly hold more magic?

I halted my steps between the stacks and looked up at him. Jax’s thumb made circles on my sensitive inner wrist, then he raised our joined hands and kissed the back of mine. I jerked my hand away from him, then glared as Jax winked and crossed his arms.

“Okay so, we need books pertaining to the town of Crimson Leaf, Ghost Rose Academy…maybe we can even find records of the deeds for the land. I’m not sure if that tower is part of the school’s property or the town’s.”

My brows snapped together as I peered at Jax, idly running his thumb over his lip.

“Are you going to help or just stand there and take up space?”

Jax pinned me with his eyes, then snorted. He pushed past me and proceeded to collect an armful of books from various shelves, then unceremoniously shoved the stack against my chest. I wobbled under the weight of the heavy tomes and Jax cast me a look of barley veiled irritation.

Jax growled, then snatched the books from my arms; tingles radiated through my breasts as the back of his fingers brushed against me.

I led Jax to the black oak study table opposite the bookshelves. The heat from the fire licked the side of my body as we passed the hearth. The lamp shook as he slammed the stack of books onto the wooden surface, then pursed his lips.

I ignored him, choosing the least path of resistance, then rounded the table. The wooden chair scraped against the floor as I dragged it back, then sat heavily. My fingers glided across the worn leather cover as I picked it up from the top of the stack.

Jax cleared his throat. “Let's get this shit over with,” he said gruffly.

I admired his tattooed fingers as they caressed the pile of books, then deftly plucked one from the center. I tilted my head to the side, then smiled approvingly as I read the title, The Crimson Leaf and Ghost Rose Academy Legal Battle for Property Rights.

Jax groaned, “What, pet?” The cover slapped against the oak as he flipped open the worn book.

“Nothing at all. It’s just surprising to see you putting in an actual effort.”

“For fuck’s sake. Just read the damn books.”

I could feed off his shitty mood all day. He was way too easy to tease when he was out of his element. “I suggest we read and take notes, then we can compare our findings when we’re done. Sound good?” I asked him, then grinned.

He grunted but didn’t reply. I shrugged, then focused my gaze on the page in front of me. My pen tapped against my notebook as I read, oddly the rhythmic movement always helped to keep my mind focused.

I rubbed my temples as I thought about what I had learned so far. The original founders of Ghost Rose Academy were members of the Black Lily Coven. If that were true, why didn’t any of our studies focus on that coven? The whole circumstances surrounding the inception of the academy and the ensuing land battle was fraught with mistrust by both parties.

Hours passed as we stoically ignored each other, the soft rustling of pages a counter melody to the throbbing base of sexual tension thickening between us. Occasionally I glanced up, only to find his heated gaze boring into me, but I didn’t miss the micro expressions hidden within his near blank façade. It was a truly phenomenal mask, and if I hadn’t been studying him just as closely as he was me, I would’ve missed the flared nostrils and the vein that throbbed along his stubbled jaw.

I shifted my weight, rubbing my legs together beneath the table every time his attention broke my focus; it penetrated so deeply I found myself reading the same sentence repeatedly.

I turned the page of my current book and read the chapter title, The Inception of Ghost Rose Academy, then my eyes widened. Black Lily Tower stood starkly against the slightly yellowed page.

Black Lily Tower was built long before Ghost Rose Academy came into existence. Deep in Endlore Forest the Black Lily Coven, composed of countless witches and warlocks, practiced magic safely veiled within the protection of the trees. The tower was their home. No one knew how so many people could live in one tower, and it remains a mystery to this day.

The coven existed peacefully for decades until humans decided to settle nearby. They founded the town of Crimson Leaf and soon started exploring the surrounding forest.

When the people of Crimson Leaf discovered the tower and the Black Lily Coven they demanded they forfeit their land, or begin paying taxes as they now owned the land grant. Tensions grew and the humans were impatient to claim the land they believed was theirs.

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