Page 9 of Lust

“No,” Cody says. “Something dark sensed us that night, and because of the vision, we assumed that what we did unleashes it, but what if that’s not the case?”

He’s referring to a spell we did one night—when we fucked with our powers in a way we shouldn’t have and felt something evil drawn to us, as though using us to find its way into our world.

“It didn’t come into our world that night,” Cody says. “And you remember how Luke appeared in my vision. What if it meant his power is connected to the genesis of that evil being?”

“Based on what you described,” Seth says, “that would make sense. Maybe that’s why the Guides warned us about him.”

“That’s all speculation, though,” I say. “We don’t have much to go on, but I was thinking…” I hesitate, knowing how this would go over before I get the words out. “Cody could go under again.”

Cody’s cheeks flush, his eyes watering.

Seth steps up to me. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Cody’s trembling and shaking his head as his gaze wanders. “No, no. I can’t do that again.”

“Of course you’re not fucking doing that. Brad’s out of his goddamn mind.” Even though he’s talking to Cody, Seth’s eyes are on me like he’s trying to make a point—or about to hit me.

“It’s only a fucking suggestion,” I tell him. “I’m not forcing his hand. But you both know we need more information.”

Cody turns away from us, still shaking.

“Cody?” Seth hurries to him, but before he can reach him, Cody steps away. “It’s okay, Cody. We’re not gonna make you do that.”

“I would,” he whispers. “It was just so hard last time.”

“I know it was,” I say, trying to soothe him.

Channeling’s always been painful for Cody. He describes it like nails drilling into him. Last time, after finishing writing down the name he received from the Guides, he thrashed about, screaming at the top of his lungs. And even once he calmed down, he was shaken up. Much worse than the other times.

“It’s just, it’s all been so vague,” I say.

“Cody, tell him why that’s not happening,” Seth says.

The fuck does that mean?

Cody takes a few breaths, regaining his composure. “Brad, I’ve been having panic attacks since that night. And not the kind where I can use my amulet to shake it off. These have been too intense. Something happened last time, and it scared me.”

“So that’s not an option,” Seth adds, like he needs to make that clear to me.

“I wish you had told me, Cody.”

He nods. “I didn’t want to worry you. Seth only knows because he’s been there when some have happened.”

Of course; they’re roommates, so that’d be a hard thing to hide.

If I’d known it was worse than usual, I wouldn’t have even brought it up.

“You’re right,” I say. “That’s too much to ask of you, Cody. I just feel like there’s more to all this, especially now that it’s clear this guy can fuck with our powers. The Guides didn’t warn us about that.”

“That doesn’t change anything,” Seth says. “The plan is still the same: we get this guy to leave, and everything goes back to normal.”

Oh, how fucking easy for Seth to say that shit, but executing this plan is a whole other story. “Now that we know he can affect our powers, I don’t think this is something to drag out. We need to throw everything we can at him. From all angles. We must make his staying at St. Lawrence unbearable. And as we all know from what we read in his background check, he’s legacy. Dad went here, but Dad isn’t around anymore. And the fact that he didn’t get in freshman year and still came back means he’s determined because he has some kind of dream about attending St. Lawrence.”

“Guy should have stayed at Emory,” Seth says. “But you’re right. You think you can keep your raging hard-ons to a minimum around this guy?”

“I don’t know about that. Maybe I’ll find a way to use them to my advantage.”

“How will you—”

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