Page 69 of The Spell Caster

The third guardian, Salix, a tall Northern Sea witch I had seen around, spoke up. “I can take the couch. It’s no big deal,” she said, running a hand over her buzzed head.

Costi grabbed me by the upper arm and tugged me toward my room while the group started working out a schedule for the shower. He kicked the door shut behind him with a bang—he’d never cared what anyone thought in his life, so why start now?

Still holding my arm, he pulled me closer. “Thought I told you to stay put,” he said into my ear.

I shivered. He smelled like lightning and fresh air.

“You did. Then I called you bossy and ignored you,” I said.

“Hm.” He looked down at me with an unreadable expression. His face was way too close to mine.

“What exactly is going on?” I said a little breathlessly.

Costi released me. “Turns out the practice arena, the only large indoor space in the Circle, is closed for emergency repairs,” he growled. “We can’t leave witches outside in tents anymore, so they emptied the barracks and told us to go bunk with our spell casters or family.”

“And you came here?”

He smirked. “Not a very nice welcome for your new roommate.” He threw his helmet on top of my dresser and started unbuckling his gear.

I balked. “They’re not going to let you stay with me.”

He shrugged. “Who’s not going to? We’ve got bigger problems.”

“Fate!” I squeaked and whirled to face the door as he pulled his shirt over his head.

He just chuckled.

This was already a disaster. We could barely keep our hands to ourselves in public, let alone a closed room where he was throwing his clothes off.

“Safe to look now, innocent little Layla,” he teased.

I bristled, turning back around with my arms crossed. He had replaced his shirt. “I suppose you’ve had dozens of lovers and don’t care about that kind of thing anymore,” I said. My voice sounded more bitter than I liked. I didn’t know where it had come from, but now the idea was like acid in my throat.

He raised his eyebrows with a half grin. “The number would shock you.”

“I—”

Someone pounded on the door and called out, “Hey, Blackthorn, what are you doing in there with your childhood friend?”

“I’m gonna break your face, Ewan,” Costi yelled back, but he was still grinning.

The door opened, and the two male guardians from earlier laughed at my expression.

“What a pretty best friend, Blackthorn,” Ewan said with a grin of his own. He was a stocky witch with his hair shaved at the sides.

“Meet two assholes,” Costi said to me, gesturing broadly at the guardians. “Hollis Ewan and Aeron Bay.”

“Hey,” said Bay with a warm, dimpled smile. His nose was crooked, as if it had been broken.

“This is Layla,” Costi said, clamping a hand over my shoulder. “My pretty best friend.”

Ewan held up his hands. “Relax, bro. We’re not trying to catch it from Daire by messing with spell casters.” He looked at me. “No offense, Layla. You are pretty.”

“Um, none taken,” I murmured. My face was about to melt off from blushing, and I wished I could dissolve into molecules. “You’re Oliver’s and Datura’s guardians?”

“That’s right,” said Bay. “Your coven was the only new one without a team, so you got an emergency assignment. They said you’re not casting yet, so no one’s with you. Salix is with your other covenmate.”

“And Blackthorn here’s just looking for a comfy bed,” Ewan said, reaching out to ruffle Costi’s hair.

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