Page 25 of Revenge is a Witch

"Fine," I mutter, hating myself just a little for agreeing. "But I swear, keep your hands to yourself, because I’m way more interested in the car than the idiot driving it."

Sebastian grins, clearly pleased with himself. "Wouldn’t dream of it, princess. Just hop in and enjoy the ride."

I roll my eyes again, but I can’t help the slight smirk that tugs at my lips as I open the door and slide into the passenger seat. I’m not going to lie—sitting in a Maserati does have its perks, even if the company could use an upgrade. We zoom down the street, the Maserati purring like a sleek, dangerous predator. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how I ended up in this car with Sebastian of all people, but the alternative was a long, lonely walk back to the dorms, and I’d rather not tempt fate tonight. Not with everything else going on.

"So, what were you doing out there all alone?" Sebastian asks, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.

"I was having dinner with Sam," I reply, looking out the window as the dark streets blur past.

He raises an eyebrow. "And yet, you don’t seem particularly thrilled about your night out." I let out a sigh, not wanting to get into it. The whole Sam situation still has my head spinning, and the last person I want to share my feelings with is Sebastian. But he seems to pick up on my hesitation. "Look, if you want to vent about something, you can," he says, surprisingly casual. "I don’t really talk to anyone aside from you when I need entertainment." I roll my eyes—again. It’s becoming a habit. I have this fleeting desire to smack him, but given that we’re currently flying down the street at breakneck speed, I decide against it. Not that I’m worried. Vampires are annoyingly good drivers, and if anyone’s equipped to handle reckless speeds, it’s Sebastian.

"You could always talk to Kyla," I suggest, half-joking, but also trying to avoid the real topic.

He chuckles, a low, amused sound. "Kylie? Nah."

I turn to him, frowning. "Did you just call herKylie? You don’t even get her name right?"

He shrugs, eyes still focused on the road ahead. "Sometimes I just like to piss her off and pretend I forgot." Of course he does. I shake my head, biting back another eyeroll. "If you keep rolling your eyes like that, they’re going to get stuck," Sebastian says with a smirk.

"Better than looking at you," I mutter.

Ignoring the jab, he goes on, his tone shifting slightly. "Look, the relationship I have with Kyla isn’t what everyone thinks it is."

I glance at him, intrigued despite myself. "What do you mean?"

He hesitates for a second, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I can’t get into the details, but I’ll say this—I've never been interested in her. I’m not now, and I never will be."

That throws me. I tilt my head, confusion etched all over my face. "Wait. What? Then why are you two—how does that even work?" He doesn’t respond right away, just keeps his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. The car speeds on, but my thoughts are spinning faster. There's only one reason I can think of for a vampire of all creatures to be a witch's boyfriend… when he doesn't actually want to be. I take a breath, deciding to ask a more direct question. "Can I ask you something personal?"

He glances at me, his eyes curious. "You can ask me anything."

"Do you know what a Binding Hex is?"

The question hangs in the air for a moment, tension building as he processes it. He nods once. "Yeah, I know what it is."

I take a deep breath, pushing further. "Do you know what one is… from experience?"

His jaw tightens slightly, and for a second, I think he’s going to brush me off. But then he nods again. "I do."

I stare at him, my heart thudding in my chest. "Where?"

Sebastian keeps one hand on the wheel, but with the other, he gestures toward his side—specifically, the side closest to me. Hesitantly, I reach out and lift the hem of his shirt. My fingers brush against the hard lines of his abs, but that’s not what catches my attention. There, on his skin, are the faint, dark markings of a Binding Hex.

I suck in a sharp breath. The symbols are unmistakable, curling around his side like chains. And in the center, clear as day, is Kyla’s name.

A Binding Hex. It’s like magical servitude, forcing someone to obey the caster’s will. My mind reels as I try to process what this means. Kyla has Sebastian bound to her. He’s not with her because he wants to be—he’s with her because he hasno choice.

I let go of his shirt, sitting back in my seat, trying to comprehend the weight of what I’ve just learned.

"Sebastian…" I start, my voice barely a whisper, "this Hex… how long?"

He keeps his eyes on the road, but his voice is steady. "Since the beginning of the school year."

I stare at the dark markings on Sebastian’s skin, my mind racing.A Binding Hex. A part of me can’t believe it, but the proof is right there, etched into his side like a scar that can’t be erased. My heart pounds as I ask, "Why did you stay still long enough to let Kyla do that?"

He scoffs, his eyes still on the road. "Wasn’t exactly a choice. One party drink at a get-together, and I was out like a light."

My jaw drops. "Wait. Are you saying she drugged you? Specifically so she could put the bind on you?"

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