Page 38 of The Spell Caster

“No,” I whimpered. But it was too late. I raised my head.

Costi took in my huddled form and my tear-streaked face, and I swore the color of his eyes darkened like storm clouds. “What in Hell’s name is going on?” He dropped to a crouch in the mulch in front of me.

His gaze snagged on the nasty red mark blooming on my arm, and he froze. “Who was it, Layla?” His voice held a cold fury I’d never experienced from him.

I shook my head, eyes wide.

“There’s a handprint on your skin,” he pushed out through gritted teeth, breathing harshly with the promise of immediate and terrible violence. “If it was that fucking spell caster, I’ll—”

Which spell caster? “No,” I mumbled, fresh tears spilling.

Spitting out curses, he slid his arms around my torso and pulled me off the ground and into his arms. His voice was gravel as he ran a careful hand down the back of my head. “Fate, baby, don’t,” he said into my hair. “Hell, you’re shaking. I’ve got you. I’d never hurt you. Please tell me what happened.”

I should have pushed him away and told him to go. But I had no one else. I didn’t want anyone else.

“You can’t do anything,” I breathed, clinging to him.

“The Hell I can’t,” he said, tightening his hold.

I raised my face and braced my hands against his chest. “My mother—”

Costi stiffened. “She’s done this before?”

“No. Not like this.” I took a shuddering breath. “I’ve never… She was so angry. She threatened you. She… she told me to obey her.”

The last part came out as a whisper as the shameful admission spilled out. It was worse than scandalous. Commanding another witch to obey you was Inperium. It was treasonous.

Costi said nothing as he held me.

“Sh-She needs help,” I admitted. “A mediator or… the councilors?”

“Not the Arcaenum,” Costi said gravely.

“What?”

He pulled back slightly to look down at me, sliding his arm down to my waist. “Something’s not right here.”

I swallowed, nodding slowly. Something did feel off with the Mountain Circle, and Costi had a knack for seeing the bigger picture.

I looked at him then, taking in his black uniform and the sheen of sweat that clung to the side of his face and neck. “You were training?”

Costi nodded. “Running. But I wanted to see you. It’s a damn good thing I came when I did.” He brushed the pad of his thumb over my cheekbone, wiping away the moisture.

“You sh-shouldn’t have come. I don’t want you to lose your position because of me.”

His eyes narrowed. “You been talking to Holly?”

Fate, this man. It was impossible to keep anything from him. “She’s right, though. I don’t want to be the reason you get thrown out of the guardians, not after you worked so hard to get in.”

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s meddling. I already told her to knock it off.”

“My mother said she’d get you disqualified,” I said.

“Let her try,” he growled.

“I think—”

Costi shook his head. “No.”

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