Page 33 of The Spell Caster

A door banged shut somewhere nearby. We startled backward.

“I… Good night, Layla,” he breathed, rubbing his hand behind his neck.

I stood with a hand over my burning face as he disappeared into the darkness.

***

Inside, the apartment was dark and still. I mechanically got ready for bed, my mind whirling.

Went home early, I texted Sativa. Thanks for the invite. Happy harvest!

I was screwed. So, so screwed. Our childhood friendship had drifted into something else entirely, and I hadn’t even noticed. But it was so obvious—the way I never got crushes on anyone. Even after he graduated and went off to training, I’d never even really considered dating. I always wanted to run all my thoughts by him. Fate, I’d followed him around for years—

I buried my face in my pillow and let loose a strangled sound of frustration.

How long? It might explain a lot. Why he’d been distant this last year.

Fate, fate, fate, this was so bad.

Or is it?

No, of course it was bad. Costi was the exact opposite of who I was supposed to like. Something was going on with the angels, and I just knew it was worse than anyone was letting on. Costi needed to concentrate on his job, and I needed to figure out where my familiar was, quickly. I couldn’t tell anyone about this; they’d throw him out of the Circle for less than what he’d done tonight. And my mother… I didn’t want to think about what she would do.

Late into the night, I heard Datura and Oliver come home, whispering and laughing in that way they had.

I forced myself to stop thinking and try to sleep. Eventually, it worked.

***

I dreamed of Costi pinning me with his hard body against the railing, eagerly trailing his lips down my neck in the dark.

I squirmed against him with delicious friction, chasing the sensation building in my core.

It felt like the buildup of magic. It was a buildup of magic. I pulled more while pain and pleasure battled to destroy me.

“Help me,” I begged.

“I got what you need, Layla,” he growled, his face tucked into my shoulder.

“Please.”

With the logic of dreams, he sang harshly into my ear in Greek, such a beautiful voice.

My whole body became liquid fire, boiling, burning—

***

COSTI

It was still dark out, but I needed to clear my goddamn head. I was starkly sober now, and I didn’t appreciate it one bit.

The room in the barracks I shared with a dozen guardians was stifling and full of obnoxious snorers. It would serve them right if I woke them all up, but I tried to be quiet as I slipped on a shirt and my boots. I didn’t want to talk.

Outside, a hint of dawn was just starting to brighten the sky, and a cool breeze ruffled my hair. There was a hiking trail on the north side of the Circle, and I made my way there. I missed the ocean. This place had too many damn trees.

What in the name of Hell was I thinking?

The guardians had a point. We were supposed to protect the spell casters in battle. Catching feelings made people do reckless things—like putting your whole team in danger to save your lover. Not to mention the shredded mess she’d make of my heart. They’d been working on her for years, convincing her to be a good girl and marry a caster.

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