Page 254 of Castings & Curses

“Don’t worry, sweet. I’ll see she gets what she needs. Then I need to take care of you,” he said, and his eyes glowed with power.

“Yes. All right, thank you.”

“Jade?”

“What?”

“I’m so fucking glad you’re okay. If he hurt you—” Arlo shook his head, unable to finish, and I grabbed his face, kissing him hard, careful not to jostle Mabe.

“I’m good. I got him.”

“I know you did, and I am so damn proud of you. You weren’t sweet Jade out there,” he growled, fire lighting his eyes.

“I wasn’t?”

“Hell no! You were motherfucking superstar Jade Montrose. Mother Earth’s own badass warrior. Be sweet for me alone, Jade. And when you have to, you go on and kick everyone else’s butt.”

“I really was a badass, wasn’t I?” I whispered, stunned at the revelation.

“Hell yeah, sweet. I am so proud of you.”

Arlo nodded, a grin splitting his face and his emerald eyes filled with an emotion he had yet to utter out loud. But it was there all the same, and my heart swelled with joy.

“She’s fading into hunger,” he whispered, eyebrows furrowed.

Mabe moaned pitifully, and we both turned our heads at her gaunt, pale features. She was fading faster and faster each time her hunger struck. According to the old blood witch journals Enok had found in the library with Maia’s help, this was not a good sign.

“Go. Take care of Mabe. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“All right. Be careful,” he said, and hurried off with my friend in his care.

* * *

The next hourwas spent going over in detail what happened outside between Jeremy and his asshole friends. In my version, there was no Mabe. Just me and four drunk wizards, who were obviously under the influence of some potion or other to make them think stalking one of their exes was a good plan.

“I am horrified by this behavior. The four wizards in question have been expelled, effective immediately. Westwood Academy does not tolerate the abuse of its students, not by anyone,” Headmistress Armstrong announced.

I sat in a chair in her office with Maia, Rio, Enid, and Tana. The four wizards who’d hunted and attacked me while I was alone and tending my garden were in the infirmary. They should only be glad Arlo was busy treating Mabe, lest my boyfriend feel the need for vengeance.

Actually, I was relieved he was not on shift right then. The fire I saw in his gaze brokered no argument—that wizard would hurt Jeremy given half the chance. Lucky for me, I was a witch who could rescue herself. I would never want Arlo to lose sigh of that part of him I adored so. He was a healer and part of his vows was a sacred oath to do no harm.

“I knew Jeremy before Westwood. He was a jerk, but he was not like that,” I told her, needing to know more.

“Yes, well, from our initial investigation, I can tell you Jeremy Thrumble and his friends have been imbibing an illegal potion of Fae origin. It’s rumored to boost magical abilities, but winds up siphoning them—”

“A magic sickness?”

“I am afraid the problem is becoming rampant. Magic stores are dwindling.”

“So, people are noticing,” Tana whispered, eyes wide. Headmistress Armstrong nodded once.

“Is anyone doing anything to stop the sale of that stuff? I mean, they could have really hurt Jade and Mabe!” Maia hissed.

“Luckily, they did not. Rest assured, the authorities are on it, ladies. Speaking of, you seem to be missing one of your dormmates,” Armstrong said, eyeing me in particular.

“Mabe is studying, Headmistress,” I replied, looking down so the lie would not be so obvious.

Thank the Goddess, she was not a shifter. Those creatures could actually smell lies, while witches could not. Either way, I was certain Armstrong knew I was lying. Whether she was aware of Mabe’s secret, I did not know for certain. But it was not mine to tell. I would guard Mabe’s powers as long as she needed me to.

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