Page 46 of Revenge is a Witch

I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Yeah, sorry. Just… tired, I guess.” I throw on a weak smile, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as it feels.

Sam waves a hand dismissively, already moving on. “You always stay up too late with your nose buried in some ancient grimoire. You should really let loose more often. Come to one of Bethany's parties—although Kyla and Sebastian’s usually there too,”

The mention of Sebastian’s name sends a ripple through me. I can’t help but feel a little smirk tug at my lips. “Oh, I’m well aware of where Sebastian hangs out.”

Sam raises an eyebrow. “You sound like you’ve been keeping tabs on him or something. What’s that about?”

I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Let’s just say… I’ve been getting to know him a little better.” My words are loaded with a meaning I know Sam will pick up on.

Her eyes widen for just a second before she catches herself. “Getting to know him, huh? Well, I’d be careful. Kyla’s not exactly the sharing type.”

I lean in, my voice low and dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not too concerned about Kyla.” The truth is, I’d bet anything Kyla doesn’t know the half of what’s going on with Sebastian—and if she did, it’d be a whole different level of drama.

Sam’s laugh is forced this time, almost like she’s trying to cover up her discomfort. “Well, just make sure you don’t get caught up in any of her games.”

I give her a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind.”

But inside, my thoughts are spinning. The red smoke in the crystal ball lingers in the back of my mind like a warning.Sam lied. Why?And if Sebastian’s right about the grimoire, that means Sam is in on it with Kyla.

As the class wraps up and we leave the room, Sam is still chattering away about her weekend plans, including her failed attempt to rekindle things with Derek. I can barely focus on her words, my mind too busy piecing together everything. If Sam really did swap my grimoire, if she’s been working with Kyla, then I’m going to need more than a crystal ball to get to the bottom of it.

But one thing’s for sure—I’m going to find out the truth, and when I do, Sam better be ready.

Cheaters

The hallways buzz with the usual Monday morning energy as I make my way toDefense Against Dark Hexeswith Professor Wraith. Normally, this is one of my favorite classes—what’s not to like about learning how to defend yourself against all kinds of nasty magical attacks? The idea of hexing a hexer has a certain appeal. But today? Today is different.

Because Kyla’s in that class.

And worse, so is Derek. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing, if I wasn’t trying to juggle the fact that I’m essentially mated to both himandSebastian. It’s like my life turned into some soap opera, except with more magic and a lot more stress.

I push open the heavy classroom door, and the familiar dark-wood interior of Professor Wraith’s classroom greets me. The windows are enchanted to show a forest landscape with fog creeping over the trees, setting the mood for whatever dark magic we’ll be learning to deflect today. I scan the room for an empty seat—and for Derek. Spotting him waving me over, I head toward the back where he’s sitting.

He leans in as I sit down, that signature grin of his plastered on his face. “Nice outfit today, Z,” he murmurs, eyes twinkling. “But I gotta say… a turtle neck? Bit warm for that, isn’t it?”

I narrow my eyes at him, knowing exactly what he’s getting at. “Oh, shut up. It’s called fashion,” I snap, although the real reason is painfully obvious. The mate mark on my neck still feels like a neon sign, even under layers of fabric.

Derek chuckles, leaning back in his chair with that annoyingly smug look on his face. “Sure it is. Hiding anything, maybe?”

Before I can throw a snide remark back, we’re interrupted. Kyla and her friend—what’s-her-name, Bethany? Britney?—walk right between Derek and me. I barely manage not to roll my eyes as Kyla smirks in my direction, tossing her hair over her shoulder like she’s starring in some cheap shampoo commercial. It's got to be a wig. No way she figured out how to fix her hair, and the weird stitching in the middle of her head gives it away.

“Looks like you’re picking up leftovers, huh, Zaria?” Kyla says, her voice dripping with venom as she gives Derek a once-over. The dig at Derek being Sam’s ex isn’t exactly subtle.

I raise an eyebrow, not missing a beat. “Better than being someone's sloppy seconds, Kyla. Or third, fourth… how far down the line are you at this point?”

Her smug smile falters, and for a brief, glorious moment, she’s flustered. “Whatever,” she mutters, her voice losing some of that edge as she stalks off to sit in the back of the class—much further back than usual.

That… makes me nervous.

Kyla typically loves to sit at the front, always eager to show off. But she changes her spots depending on the class. It’s been bugging me for a while now—sometimes she’s front and center, soaking up all the attention like the self-obsessed witch she is, and other times she slinks into the back like today.Why?

“You good?” Derek’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He’s watching me, eyebrow raised, probably sensing the tension radiating off me.

“Yeah, fine,” I mutter, though my brain is still running a mile a minute. Why would she switch seats like that? Is she avoiding attention? Or is it something more? Something about this reeks of cheating, but I can’t put my finger on it.

As Professor Wraith starts the lesson, my mind is still spinning. If Kyla’s up to something, I need to figure out what. It’s bad enough she’s probably got my grimoire… but if she’s cheating her way through classes too, then it’s all connected.

I just have to find out how.

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