Page 27 of Baneful Magick

“That’s smart.” I nodded, weaving through the students running in and out of rooms, then outside, trying to not be late on the first day of class. If he had a kettle, maybe he would let me use it so I could at least have tea on hand when needed. A thought I’d bring up to him later.

At least we didn’t need books or anything crazy since the first class was self-defense, or at least I hoped so because I was already out of my room. Obviously, I was aiming to make a great first impression.

“A compliment? From you?” Aizel gasped, but a moment later, his expression smoothed out. He looked deadly serious forthe first time since I met him. “But really, I wanted to talk to you, Isla.”

“Yes?” I asked, looking over in Echo’s direction to find him and Zhara long gone. They must already be at the dining hall by now.

Aizel wrapped an arm around my shoulder and guided me over to a bench. Other students walked by, and it was easy to spot the new ones as they ran from the dorms and across the quad to get to their classes early. The professors certainly made an impression yesterday.

“Should I be concerned that you got me alone?” I asked, breaking the silence between us after we had been sitting for a few minutes.

“This time, no,” he retorted with a charming smile, but I could tell that his thoughts were elsewhere given the distant look in eyes.

“Echo seems to be interested in you,” he started.

“We’re friends, Aizel,” I replied. “That’s it.”

Aizel’s gold and green gaze studied me closely, weighing my words and the truth behind them. Did I think about kissing him last night? Yes. Would anything actually happen between myself and Echo? I doubted it.

“Don’t hurt my brother,” he warned me softly.

My mouth opened to respond, but he held up a hand, stopping my words before they could even start.

“He’s had a hard go of it, worse than most incubi in fact. I don’t want to see him get crushed by you.”

“Hurt him?” I asked, my brow furrowed in confusion.

“You both went out last night. Alone.”

“We walked around campus a bit and talked, Aizel. Nothing more,” I responded slowly. I didn’t mention Echo shapeshifting for me since something in my gut told me that the man in frontof me wouldn’t be happy about that particular bit of information. “I do not plan on hurting him.”

“Not many people plan on hurting someone, yet it happens all the time.” Aizel sighed.

As he went to stand up, I placed my hand on his, making the man freeze.

“I would never dream of hurting him, just for the record. To be clear, I’m not here to find a mate, coven, or anything like that. I’m here to learn what they teach me and live my life. And just so you know, if you fuck with Zhara, I’d doublecheck your drinks because I’ll make you regret ever hurting her.”

He turned his face to meet my stare, each of us silently assessing the other, weighing the threats, spoken and unspoken. A half smile curled his lips before he stood up and offered me his hand.

“I’m glad we understand one another.”

“Me too,” I told him, accepting his help. “But wearegetting me tea before class. If we’re late, it’s on you, not me.”

“So damn bossy,” he replied, but he hurried alongside me into the dining hall and even paid for my breakfast tea and muffin before we met up with our roommates.

“Everything okay?” Echo asked, his gold and green eyes bouncing from me to his brother. His gaze lingered when Aizel pulled out a chair for me before going around to sit beside his twin.

“Everything is great. Why wouldn’t it be?” Aizel asked, leaning over to take a giant bite of his brother’s bagel.

“What the hell?!” Echo bitched, yanking it back to try to save what’s left of his bagel while I turned to Zhara.

“So what happened? A bonding moment between you two?”

“Mutual threats and an understanding,” I said, sipping my drink. When its soothing warmth hit me, I totally did a smallhappy dance in my seat.Just what I needed.“I wonder if they have boba tea here. I haven’t had any in days.”

“Is that the weird tea with balls in it?” Zhara asked.

Slowly, I faced my roommate, affronted by the disgust in her voice. Ironically, I saw Aizel and Echo doing the same. The three of us shared a look then shook our heads at the same time.

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