Page 41 of The Spell Caster

I consciously controlled my shuddering breath. I couldn’t imagine this being good. “Oh…”

“Fate blessed me with running into one of our new councilors—our recent assembly speaker, Cedar Grey.”

I was sure fate had nothing to do with it. Mother had a way of getting in front of people.

“His son Calamus was with him. What a charming young spell caster!”

“Yes.” I hadn’t known the witch who’d spoken at the recent meeting was Calamus’s father, but now that I thought about it, I could see a resemblance.

“Layla, I was very surprised to hear about the problem you’re having with your familiar. You didn’t share that with me.” Her tone fell.

My body went cold. “I-I’m sorry…”

“I heard that Calamus kindly offered his help. He said he’s already come up with a solution.”

“He did?” I blurted. “What is it?”

“I didn’t have time to listen to all the details, darling, but he had to get special permission from the Arcaenum to try it. His father and I agreed that he should talk through it with you over dinner this evening. Doesn’t that sound lovely?”

Anger flared through me. She wasn’t even subtle. Bitterly, I wondered how Calamus would like the bruise on my arm. Did Mother know Costi was his guardian?

“Yes, Mother,” I said. What else could I say? She had me, and she knew it.

I’d always thought the people in the old stories were hapless and silly, letting the angels demand things of them. Why didn’t they simply refuse? I hadn’t realized how… easy it was. Everything someone could use against you as a weapon.

“I’ll send you the details. Wear something nice, sweetheart,” she reminded me.

“Thank you, Mother,” I said cooly.

After punching off the phone, I angrily dug into the lunch Datura had brought. It was a curry with rice and a side of fried potato dumplings, which I appreciated. I’d seen the side-eye Calamus gave my dastardly carbohydrates. I wondered what he thought of this dinner plan our parents had cooked up.

The food did my mood some good. Bringing my dishes back out to the kitchen, I found Datura and Oliver on the couch with their heads bent together over a tablet as they scrolled.

I slammed the container down with a bang. They looked up with matching startled faces.

“It was delicious, and I feel fine. I can’t count on you for anything,” I scolded Datura in mock fury.

I hid my smile by pretending to storm away in a huff as she threw back her head with a loud cackle.

Chapter 9

LAYLA

Hours later, it was apparent that Datura had indeed not poisoned me, so I couldn’t get out of going. I wanted to know what Calamus had discovered, but I was mortified. Was this supposed to be a real date? I cringed with the idea that he would think I was in on it, artlessly trying to get his attention by having my mother set us up.

Then there was Costi. I badly wanted a friend to talk to about this. And I needed to talk to Costi about… other things as well. But I had only stared at my phone all afternoon.

Maybe, once we met up, Calamus and I could ditch the dinner idea and go to the library to talk.

I pulled out one of the skirts I normally wore, then thought better of it. If Mother checked up on me, I had to look like I was taking this seriously.

“Gross,” I said as I pulled on the simple wine-colored dress that I had rejected for the harvest party because it was too plain. “Gross, gross, gross.”

My lace-up sandals finished a look that could be interpreted anywhere between summer-casual and dressy, which felt like compliance without complying. Perfect.

Mother had texted me the time and place. My heart sank as I took in the romantic venue—an outdoor eatery with a tiled patio shaded by an excessive growth of leafy vines dangling from the overhead trellises. The small tables dotted with flickering candles looked full. Maybe it was too crowded for us?

My hopes were dashed on the rocks and my soul washed out to sea as Calamus stood up and moved to meet me, carrying an armload of flowers.

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