Page 38 of The Black Witch

“Okay, I realize you don’t need much help with that.” I glance over at the knot of giggling girls. I suspect they’ll converge around Rafe like a flock of geese as soon as I’m done talking to him. “Aislinn seems...different. She’s smart...nice...”

“I’ll tell you what,” he bargains, amused. “There’s a dance every Yule at University. You go with Gareth, and I’ll ask Aislinn Greer.”

“I can’t,” I say hesitantly, not wanting to displease my older brother. “I’ve already agreed to go with Lukas.”

“Elloren.” He reaches out to touch my arm, his voice once again serious. “I’m not kidding about Lukas Grey. Stay away from him. He’s incredibly powerful. You’re playing with fire there.”

Maybe I want to play with fire.

“Thanks for the warning,” I say, my tone completely and utterly noncommittal.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Wandfasting

“I received some correspondence this morning,” my aunt informs me as we sit in her breakfast alcove.

We’re surrounded on three sides by arching windows that overlook well-maintained gardens. A nearby display of blood-red roses pierces the gloomy, overcast day.

I can barely make out the sound of silverware on the gilded porcelain as my aunt neatly cuts into the omelete and spiced fruit before her. Her half-eaten scone sits pristinely on an adjacent plate. Everything she does—calligraphy, eating, dressing—is always sotidy. It’s easy to feel disheveled and bumbling next to her constant perfection. I glance down at my own half-eaten scone, a circle of fine crumbs orbiting the plate.

“Correspondence from whom?” I wonder as I try to clean up my stray crumbs with the tip of my finger.

“Lukas Grey’s parents.”

My finger freezes. I look up, my aunt taking her time with this news as she tranquilly sips at her tea.

“Are you friends with them, then?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

My aunt shoots me a bemused smile. “Of course, dear. I’ve known Lachlan and Evelyn foryears.”

I take a small bite from my scone, attempting to appear nonchalant.

“Apparently,” she continues, as she cradles her teacup, “Lukas indicated to them last night that he would agree to fast to you.”

I choke on the scone.“What?”

My aunt flashes a large, white smile at me, like a cat that has just eaten a canary. “It seems you madequitean impression.”

“He wants towandfastto me?” I sputter, crumbs flying from my mouth.

She eyes me quizzically. “Why are you so surprised? You’re of age, Elloren. Most Gardnerian girls your age are already fasted, or are soon about to be...”

“But I’ve only justmethim!”

“That’s of no consequence,” she says, waving her hand dismissively.

I stare at her, stunned.Of no consequence. Seriously?

“We should arrange for the two of you to be fasted as soon as possible,” Aunt Vyvian states decidedly. “Enith...”

My aunt turns to the blue-skinned Urisk girl who helped me with my music last night. She stands against the wall, silent and expressionless, like a statue.

“Yes, ma’am?” Enith responds.

“Send word to the Greys,” my aunt instructs. “Let them know that Elloren isverypleased to accept Lukas’s proposal and that we would like to arrange for the fasting to take place as soon as possible. Perhaps after tomorrow’s church service.”

“Wait...” I plead, interrupting her. “I can’t fast to Lukas.”

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