Page 159 of Blood & Betrayals

Connor stands up, staying close but allowing me a little bit of space. “Where did you see wild magic?”

“I was in the forest,” I reply honestly.

As if he can’t help it, he moves in closer, cupping my cheek. “Alone? Why?”

“I–I needed some air.”

Connor presses his forehead to mine. “You call me next time.”

I nod. “I’m sorry.” The words are a barely audible whisper.

He slips his arms around me. “Alice said there was another murder, and then we couldn’t find you, and I?—”

I brush my lips over his, stopping him.

He pulls back, his eyes full of tears. “I couldn’t… If something had happened to you?—”

I cover his lips with my fingers. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m here, and I’m fine.”

“It could have been you.” A tear slides down his cheek.

Connor scoops me up and carries me through to my room. He closes the door, needing some privacy with me. He sits on the bed, and I wrap my arms around him, kissing all over his face. I brush the tears away, trying to reassure him I’m still here and I’m okay.

Connor’s breaths are shaky, and he’s clearly still panicked. I gently grab his face, making him look into my eyes. He focuses on me. His eyes are still a little glassy, and in them, I canpractically see what he sees. He is imagining Gia’s body, but it’s me instead.

I lean in, kissing him softly at first but allowing it to build. He doesn’t kiss me back immediately, but as he relaxes, he deepens the kiss. I flick his tongue with mine, letting him taste me, grounding and keeping him with me in this reality where things aren’t perfect, but they’re better than they are in the one he’s imagining. We spend long moments just kissing and touching each other, healing each other.

Connor brushes his nose against mine. “You scared me so bad.”

I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to his. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“We should get you bandaged up.”

I shake my head. “Not now. I just want to be like this with you for a while.” The cuts sting and throb, but I can’t bear to remove the pain right now. It feels like I deserve it.

“Headmaster Emrys needs to know,” Connor says, squeezing me.

“I’ve seen him already. I went there straight after it happened. That’s why I was delayed.”

Connor exhales in relief, and then his stomach rumbles loudly.

I pull back, my lips twitching. “Hungry, big guy?”

Connor blushes. “I missed lunch because I was freaking out.”

I nuzzle my cheek against his. “Let’s order dinner.”

Connor grabs his phone and starts scrolling through the options. “What do you fancy?”

The thought of any food right now turns my stomach, but Connor needs to eat. “Anything, big guy.”

65

Summer

The forest is dark, the moonlight barely shining through the canopy. A stick snaps in the distance, and my head whips toward the sound.

“You’re next.” The whisper comes from behind me, beside me, above me. “You’re next,” the voice chants.

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