Page 33 of Revenge is a Witch

My mind, however, is anything but grounded. I can’t stop thinking about Sebastian. About the kiss. About him telling me I’m his blood mate. Should I tell Derek? The thought spirals through me like a storm. I feel guilty keeping it from him, but how do I even explain it? The whole thing is a mess.

I tap my pen against the desk, debating with myself.I’ll write for a bit first,I think,and if I get too distracted, I’ll tell him. Or maybe I’ll suggest we go out for dinner and break the news gently. Hopefully, he won’t be too upset.

For now, I put my focus back on the blank page in front of me.

It’s about thirty minutes later, and I’m starting to get into the rhythm of writing in my grimoire when there’s another knock at my door. I blink, a bit confused.Derek’s already here… who else could it be?

Without thinking, I call out, “It’s unlocked!”

My throat nearly clenches shut when the door opens and, of all people, Sebastian strolls in. He closes the door behind him, and the sound of the latch clicking feels ominous, like the beginning of some bad horror flick.Great,just what I need—vampire drama.

Derek immediately hops up off the bed, his body language shifting from relaxed to defensive in seconds. “What the hell are you doing here?” he snaps, glaring at Sebastian like he’s ready to throw him out the window.

Sebastian, of course, looks completely unfazed. In fact, he looks almost amused, his signature smirk already in place. “I could ask you the same thing, Derek,” he says coolly. “Non-dorm students aren’t supposed to be in the dorms on weekends, last I checked.”

Derek’s nostrils flare, his hands curling into fists. “Zaria’s my friend,” he retorts, standing his ground. “I’m allowed to visit my friend.” I roll my eyes, half hoping that the heavens open up and give me some divine answers, but instead, all I can think is,Maybe it was eating my mom’s last slice of ‘turning 50’ cake…Yeah, that’s probably it. That cake was cursed.

Sebastian scoffs, shifting his glare back to Derek. “Some friend you are. Have you even bothered telling Zaria the truth about Sam?”

Derek looks genuinely confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I straighten up. “Yeah, what truth?”

Seb’s eyes narrow. “Sam was the one who swapped Zaria’s grimoire with the blank book and handed it over to Kyla. And you were her boyfriend. So, either you’re in on it, or you’re just an idiot.”

Derek’s eyes flash with anger. “Go fuck yourself. You’re Kyla’s boyfriend. If anyone’s playing double agent here, it’s you.” I’m trying to process the bomb Sebastian just dropped about Sam, but the two of them keep going at it, their voices rising with every second. “Zaria’s myfriend,” Derek snaps, his voice hard. “Long before I was Sam’s boyfriend. And, for the record, now herex.”

Sebastian’s grin is all teeth. “Doesn’t change the fact that I’m bound to Zaria now, thanks to the hex. So, I literallycan’tlie to her.”

“Yeah? Well, my wolf knows Zaria is my mate. I can’t hurt her either.”

Seb’s smirk turns into something colder. “Your wolf’s a liar, then, because Zaria’sbloodis calling to me. She’smymate.”

They both launch into another round of accusations, talking over each other, and I feel my frustration bubbling over. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Without thinking, I grab one of my empty cauldrons and drop it on the floor. The sound echoes through the room like a gunshot. Finally, they stop, turning to look at me as if I’ve just cast a spell.

“You ladies finished with your little catfight yet?” I ask, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can I say something now?” I cross my arms, glaring at both Derek and Sebastian, who still look ready to pounce at each other’s throats. “Alright, you two need to chill. Because there’s no way I can be both of your mates, and I’dappreciate it if you’d stop acting like I’m a prize you get to fight over.” They both open their mouths to protest at the same time, each insisting that they’re my mate. But I cut them off, raising a hand. “Enough. You both have good reasons for saying what you’re saying, but I’m a witch. I can’t feel mate bonds like you guys can, so I can’t just accept either of your claims right now.”

They start bickering again, voices rising as they talk over each other, and my patience wears thin. Before they can get into another shouting match, I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts, finding the one person who might be able to clear this mess up. I dial Hazel.

The phone rings twice before Hazel’s chipper voice comes through. “Zaria! Hey, what’s up?”

I sigh in relief. “Hey, Hazel. Sorry for the random call, but I have an essay question, and I know only someone as brilliant as you can answer it.”

There’s a playful pause. “Flattery will get you everywhere. What’s the question?”

I put the phone on speaker and glance at Derek and Sebastian, who’ve gone quiet, clearly listening. “Is it possible for someone to have more than one fated mate?”

Hazel doesn’t miss a beat. “No.” I throw a pointed look at both boys, my eyebrows raised.See?But before I can say anything, Hazel continues. “Unless…”

My heart sinks. “Unlesswhat?”

“Well, if the mates are from different species, it’s possible.

"So, hypothetically speaking here… one is a shifter and one is a vampire? Both fated to one hypothetical witch?"

"Exactly! Yeah, they could both be fated to the same person. Witches, of course, don’t technically have mates, but vamps and shifters do, so… yeah. In that case, they could both claim the same girl as their mate.”

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