Page 36 of The Secret Life of a Witch

“No, it’s not your fault,” Evan insists, resting back against the wall with a heavy sigh. “If anything, it’s my fault for not putting up a better cage. I can’t believe he made the walls ripple like that.”

“You probably didn’t use enough surface energy when you created it,” Hunter tells him, standing so close to my side that our arms touch.

I discreetly inch away from him, not ready to touch him yet. If it turns out he did rat me out, I won’t ever go near him again. Even if he stands in the center of my lawn, blasting a boom box and begging me to forgive him.

Hunter notices my offish behavior and gives me a quizzical glance, mouthing, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Unsure of what else to do, I give a shrug,

Evan rubs his jawline contemplatively. “You think so?” he asks Hunter.

Hunter tears his gaze off me and distractedly nods. “The next time you create a cage, up the force. Then the walls shouldn’t have so much bend in them.”

“All right, I’ll give that a go.” Evan pushes away from the wall and walks toward us. “How did you learn about surface energy? Last I heard, it wasn’t included in the standard wizard and witches curriculum. “

“It’s not in the standard classes curriculum,” Hunter says. “But a few advanced classes include it.”

“So, you’re one of those smart guys who doesn’t look like it,” Evan questions, looking as though he’s struggling not to grin.

“I guess so,” Hunter replies, sounding somewhat offended.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to come out as rude as it sounded,” Evan apologizes, stopping in front of us.

“It’s cool,” Hunter replies with an indifferent shrug.

Curiosity creeps into Evan’s expression. “So, what do you know about internal energy?”

A trace of an arrogant smile graces Hunter’s face. “A bit.”

After that, the two of them begin chatting about energy as if they’re old friends, like Evan and I were supposed to be. Meanwhile, the demon’s words echo in my mind.

While I don’t want to be a hybrid, I can’t help being painfully aware of how different I am.

How different exactly, remains undecided.

EVALEE

“You’ve been awfully quiet since you escaped the cage,” Hunter declares the moment we hop into his truck. “Is this about the kiss?”

I find it odd that he doesn’t bring up the fact that I might be a hybrid demon first. Out of all the things revealed while we were at Evan’s, the kiss seems like the biggest issue at the moment.

But, since he’s not bringing it up, I’m not going to, either. Not until I figure out if Hunter could’ve possible shot me in the back with his wand—metaphorically speaking—and told the hybrids where my sister was hidden.

“No. And I don’t want to talk about that kiss. Ever again,” I grumble, staring at Evan’s warehouse perched in the center of acres of dry, wilting grass. “And maybe I should be asking you why you were so chatty in there.”

“I’m always chatty,” he points out as he twists the keys and the engine rumbles to life. “Why do you sound so jealous?”

“Because I am.” I rest back in the seat and prop my boots up on the dash. “Evan is supposed to bemyold friend. Not yours.”

“You do realize how ridiculous you sound right now, right?” He pauses, giving me a somewhat concerned look. “Are you sure this isn’t about the ki?—”

“Enough with the kissing thing! It happened, and now it’s over. I did it for a good reason, too.”I hope.“And I do know how ridiculous I sound right now, which probably makes me even more pathetic.”

“Eva …” he starts, his tone laced with pity.

I point a finger at him. “Don’t do that.”

His brows dip. “Don’t do what?”

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