Page 77 of Spelling Disaster

Another thirty minutes and we park in the campus lot, back in his usual parking space.

Theo cuts the engine. “We’re doing it now?” he clarifies.

The jar. The statue. The trapped god. “We shouldn’t waste time. The sooner we get him trapped in his final resting place, the better I’ll feel,” I reply.

“Then we better get on it.”

He helps me off the bike, my legs wobbling to the point where I lose my balance and knock into him.

“You’re like a baby deer,” Theo murmurs. He pushes the hair out of my face. “So delicate.”

“I can’t believe you came for me.” I shake my head. “You know I tried to leave you in the motel so you’d be safe, right? I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Youknow I told you I would fight for you. Better get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.” With our helmets tucked away, Theo links our hands.

Together, we take the Horned God to the center of campus. Ensuring the jar is closed and sealed with a sigil of protection, Theo works the magic to entomb the jar inside the statue. The metal melts away to reveal an empty space inside the body of the Cleric and we set the jar down, entombing him in his own likeness.

“It’s sad. It’s fitting,” I call out loud.

“You did what you had to do,” Theo answers. “Try not to feel bad.”

I chuckle softly. “Of course I feel bad. Even if we can’t see him in the jar, he’s in there. Somewhere. Stuck. How do you always know what I’m feeling?”

“I’m not an empath but your face gives you away. Not to mention your kind heart. He got what came to him, Yas.”

When I turn to look at Theo, his arms are crossed over his chest, still every bit the powerful warrior.

Yes, karma is certainly at play. Now it’s time for me to live my life the way I want. Whatever comes.

* * *

Strong arms wrap around me from behind and by the time I turn around to face the very handsome young man said muscular arms belong to, Theo has me off my feet and spinning in a circle.

“I did it,” he exclaims, nipping at my hair as he spins me.

I’m laughing, breathless, by the time he sets me on my feet. His lips claim mine a second later and take the last brain cells left in my head, too. Leaving me nothing but the desire to hold him close and finish what he’s starting.

“What did you do?” I murmur when he finally pulls back.

“I passed my exams.” Theo winks at me. “Thanks to a certain someone who is an amazing teacher. The studying paid off, Yas. I don’t know how you did it, but you managed to get through my thick skull and the information stuck this time!”

I stare at him. “You passed? You’re not going to fail?”

He winks at me. “Honey, I’m here to stay. I spoke to all my professors and they’re so impressed with my grades for midterms that they’re willing to work with me on everything else.”

“That’s amazing!” I kiss him again and rise on my tiptoes to press my lips more fully against his. “I think you just needed the right incentive to do the work yourself,” I argue out of principle. “What do you want to do to celebrate?”

I have more than a few things in mind but none of them are acceptable to discuss in polite company.

Joy fills me when Theo smiles and reaches forward to press his lips to my forehead. Off in the distance are a couple of Helena’s friends who still don’t seem to believe Theo is with another girl. They eye me, not even trying to be discreet.

They don’t bother me anymore.

Let people talk if they want to talk. They haven’t walked in my shoes, not even close, so if the best they can do is gossip about what an odd couple we make, then it’s no skin off me.

I’ve got Theo, and after a week of studying and hanging out, getting to know each other even better and, yeah…that…we’re settling into a rhythm.

Andora Academy is my place. X House is my place.

---