Page 10 of Baneful Magick

Soon, my lovelies.

The people around us froze, students and kidnappers all shocked at my reaction. Their reaction was only made worse when I spun around to Bones and rocked up on my toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“Until next time.”

With a two-fingered wave and a wink, I sauntered onto the grounds, not caring I was barefoot and wearing just silky shorts and tank top. Something about this place felt like home, and the opportunity to let loose was too delicious to let a thing like fear hold me back.

‘Fear is there to keep yourself alive.’

‘And if fear keeps me from doing things, is that even living?’

Cassius sighed, but I felt his begrudging respect. I strode purposefully past the stone buildings and followed the power thrumming inside of me until I came to a halt in front of a glass greenhouse.

It had obviously been abandoned a long time ago. Vines and plants grew wildly outside and inside of the building. Since no one was running after me, I reached out, finding myself unsurprised when the door loudly creaked. My breath caught in my throat once I saw what was inside.

It’s perfect.

BRICRIU

I didn’t know what to make of her.

The witch.

Poison weaver.

She was going to be someone to watch out for.

Bringing first years to the conservatory was a right of passage, a test of our powers as second years and a way to give the professors an idea of the new students’ capabilities.

“A kiss is certainly new.”

Another guy snickered. “Can’t believe it took kidnapping a poor girl to get him a first kiss.”

The condescending voices had me clenching my teeth in irritation before I pushed it down. It would serve no purpose here.

Glancing to the side, I found Brad Golding and Otis Dair watching Isla walk away with a sway to her hips. I couldn’t really make out the details of her now that she was far away from me since my eyesight was shit even in my full fae form.

Jealousy hit me when I realized that they could see her perfectly fine, every detail of her body and the way she moved. I had drunk in that sight at her home. She was a fierce woman, who was ready to fight as she left her house to find me. I hadn’t even called to her with my magick, yet she was outside, searching for me, mere minutes after I transported to her yard.

Like she had sensed me on her own.

That was surely something to keep in mind because my kind weren’t easily detected by anyone. Just who was Isla Hallowes?

“If she kissedthatguy, I don’t know how smart she could be.”

“Better watch out, or the freak will hear you,” another student whispered. Taunting laughter shot my way as they pulled the guy away from me. It was amazing how adults could act like children. Given our ages, you’d think they would know better. Reacting to their unoriginal comments wouldn’t garner any favors, not with the classmates who would always hate me or the professors who couldn’t care less about what we did so long as it didn’t affect them.

I started to head toward Kastor Hall to inform the professors I had completed my assignment. My classmates ignored me or rushed out of my way, their fear thick in the evening air. I wove my illusion magick around myself until I was in a human body. Grabbing my dark-tinted sunglasses, I put them on, knowing Iwould need them to protect my eyes in the bright lights inside the building.

Surprisingly, the hall wasn’t brightly lit when I walked in, but I didn’t take off my sunglasses. That would be unwise considering even the tiniest bit of bright light would be painful. Walking confidently down the familiar hallways, I made my way toward the large open lecture room where professors and other staff were waiting for updates.

“Bricriu! Here already. Do we need to help your student recover?” one of the professors called out with a mocking laugh.

“Unprofessional, Blackthorn,” a familiar smooth voice reprimanded, making the man teasing me fall silent. The fae that had spoken didn’t move from where I could vaguely see him sprawled out on a chair. “Maybe we should keep you with your calculations instead of being allowed near the students.”

“What was your student’s name?” another staff member cautiously asked, probably hoping to stave off a potential fight.

“Isla Hallowes,” I replied stiffly, ready to be away from here. I was curious as to where the witch had wandered off to. “She asked a few questions before I transported us here, but that’s it. She wandered off to explore the campus soon after we arrived.”

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