Page 13 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

I said, “Can I ask what spurred your decision to go to the other gate? We knew the demons had come out of there.”

Huxley’s angry expression disappeared. He considered me, then said, “Nothing.”

I refrained from rolling my eyes. He’d work out his shit and tell me eventually. “Then I need you to do stuff for me.”

“Just because you’re our coven leader, doesn’t mean I’ll listen to you.”

Spyne sucked in a horrified breath.

But I grinned. “And that’s why I’m appointing you as an advisor.” I summoned Frond’s pendant. “This used to belong to Frond. You’re more deserving to wear it. He’s out. You’re in.” I summoned a set of black robes next. “Wear these. If you have some hang up about what happened during the battle with the demons, consider this your chance to make up for it. I want your mind at my table. I want your honesty and dedication. I don’t want any of your bad faults, though.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Which are?”

“We don’t have long enough for that. Be at the advisory chamber tomorrow after breakfast.”

Huxley, for maybe the first time in our friendship, appeared speechless. He’d had more to say after finding out I was half demon. “You’re sure?”

“Your potential is clear to me. In the meantime, find Rooke at the Greenhouse of Fun. You’ll be working with her on another project. She’ll bring you up to speed. Any questions?”

I didn’t wait for any. I winked at Spyne on the way out.

Who was next?

I walked to Corentin’s rooms and didn’t find him there. A few inquiries led me to the battle learning center.

“Corey,” I said in greeting, after walking over the fighting mats.

“No,” he answered, uncrossing his legs. He’d been meditating. The guy was wearing linen pants. Where were his ripped jeans?

Who was this man?

Positive Patrick, that’s who.

I surveyed him. “You doing okay?”

“I feel very centered.”

He seemed drugged on it. Guess I’d felt that way this morning when centering with the coven too. “Cool. What were you saying no to?”

“Becoming an advisor. I have too much to explore in my power. I won’t relinquish this freedom from feeling so oppressed. Before I can help others, I must help myself.”

“Good, I wasn’t going to ask you.”

His smile had a goofy edge. “This is good news. I just want to be centered.”

I pressed my lips firmly together against a smile. “Do I have more work to do on you?” I’d spent a few sessions untangling his magic, but from memory, there had been a few last stragglers.

“Some. Minor only. I’m content to exist in this state until you have the space to complete the process.”

Ty, the divination mentor, was the most centered person I’d ever met. Corentin may rival him for that title soon enough. “No problem. I’ll, uh, leave you to it then.”

Linen pants. I couldn’t believe it. I had to tell Wild.

Delta broke away from a small group of novices to meet me at the entrance.

“Need something?” I asked her.

“A better punching bag,” she said.

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