Page 31 of Baneful Magick

Feelings were a complication that I had no time for, but I didn’t get up and move away from her. If I could, I would blame some type of spell, claiming it was pulling me to her, yet it wasn’t that simple. Something about her drew me in, and despite our short time together, I found myself searching the blurred world around me for a simple hint of her.

Notes of almond, vanilla, and jasmine teased my nose when I leaned a bit closer to her, trying to adjust how I was seated. Discreetly, I took a few deep breaths pretending that I was frustrated with my work, but I just wanted to savor her scent.

It was a one-sided interest though, and that was all it would ever be. Even if I did develop anything beyond a surface interest in the woman, it would mean nothing. I was an outcast according to my family, my court, and my species. She would see that I was a liability soon enough. My inability to see was really only the beginning of my deficits, or so I’d been told frequently and with much detail.

I need to fucking focus.

Wrangling my thoughts, I managed to start focusing on my books. Isla quietly typed on her laptop with a few muttered curses here and there about something the computer was doing.I kept my attention on the book in front of me, only moving to carefully shift the magnifying glass every time I needed to flip the page. It was an annoying process, but this was the only way I could read the books.What they really need are damn audiobooks.

Almost an hour passed before Isla groaned in frustration and shut her laptop with a sharp slam. She laid her head on top of it without saying any actual words. Suppressed laughter made my lips twitch, but I forced my smile back as I considered her.

“That bad?” I asked innocently, keeping my eyes on my book. She rolled her head to look at me, and I was close enough that I could see the hazel of her eyes when she pinned me with a glare.

“Yes,Bones. It’s boring. It’s about the basic care of familiars, which was covered fucking years ago when I was in academy,” she replied in hushed tones, likely remembering Hellsing’s warning.

“How about a break then?” I offered, stretching my arms above my head. “I could use some fresh air and a damn smoke before I keep going.” I wouldn’t be able to read for that much longer anyway, but she didn’t need to know that.

She studied my face like she was silently debating her options before a small smile curled her lips. My heart thudded in my chest when she reached out and took hold of my hand.

“I’d like that,” she answered as she stood up and urged me to do the same. “Lead the way.”

I hoped to hell that the witch couldn’t tell how surprised I was by her easy acceptance or the casual touch that she was offering, but everyone around us definitely noticed. A wave of whispers followed in our wake. It would only be a matter of time until the whole school knew about us hanging out, and I hoped like hell that was all she heard. Of course, my hopes were dashed the moment the door closed behind us.

“Well, if it isn’t the freak. Taking a midnight stroll to kill another girl for parts? At least take her to dinner first.”

Chapter 12

Isla

MONDAY

“What, witch got your tongue?” one of them joked. His face twisted with disgust as he spat at the ground in front of Bricriu. Anger bubbled up in me, but I forced myself to remain calm.I’d hate to have to kill someone in the first week of school.

“You’d think he would be more original,” I drawled, not about to put up with this asshole. “Freak is just so... unimaginative.”

He sneered at me. “I’m trying to do you a favor, bitch.” Bones remained silent beside me, doing nothing but shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Why wasn’t he saying anything?“Do you know what he is?!”

“You know, if you kill him, you could easily shuck the small brain out. It would be perfect for an ashtray,” I remarked casually, smiling up at Bones. A small twitch of his lips told me that he heard me, but he just shook his head at my idea.

“While that’s true, the taste of him would linger in the bones for a while. A vile flavor, I’m sure,” he rumbled. The two guyspaled at Bones’ comment, stumbling back a step. Like that would save them if the fae wanted to kill them.

I threw my head back, laughing at their reactions and my friend’s commentary. The others eyed me as if I was insane, and their mumbled protection spells weren’t quiet enough to spare the remaining shreds of their dignity.

Pathetic.

“Whatever he does to you, you deserve, you stupid cunt,” the guy stuttered out as he backed up and ran off with his friend.

“At least cunt gave a little more variety.” I tutted in mock disappointment. “Bullies should have more creativity for name calling when they got older.” Sighing, I shook my head and walked over to a nearby bench then settled down and got comfortable. Bones remained where he was. “Are you going to have that smoke?”

“You still want?—”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I arched an eyebrow at him.

“What they said, about killing people…”

“Are you planning on killing me for parts?” I asked dryly.

“No. But Ihavekilled others before,” he replied softly, the dark tone of his voice making me shiver. Whether it was fear or excitement, I wasn’t sure. Maybe a bit of both? “Bones are gifted to my kind, that’s true, but I’m considered an outsider by even my own people. Some of mine were given to me, but most… Most were taken.”

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