Page 124 of Castings & Curses

“I haven’t seen that one.”

Miles clutched his heart, groaning in agony. “Tell me it isn’t so!”

She snickered. “Seriously, I haven’t. What’s it about?”

“We’ll watch it on our next date.”

“Presumptuous much?”

“Optimistic.”

There were no cars parked along the street. All the buildings were dark. They walked past an alleyway. Priya squinted at it.

“Shouldn’t we turn here?” she asked.

“I want to come in from the other side of the building. We’ll take the next one. Are all your friends witches?”

She took the rapid-fire question in stride. “No. What about you?”

“Most of my friends are non-magics.”

Sure she had used up her allocation of rude comments, Priya bit her tongue to hold back an impertinent question.

Another sigh, followed by a roguish chuckle. “Go ahead and ask.”

Shooting him a sideways glance, she teased, “You are a mind reader.”

“I’m not. You’re practically vibrating and I doubt it’s from the cold. Go ahead, ask your question,” he repeated.

“Aren’t they nervous around you?”

“At first some of my friends were, but that wore off quickly. Most are gamers and computer geeks, like me, who are more interested in my skills than my being a vampire. And for your next question, no I don’t have many true friends among the vampires. They are not a chummy lot and competition is high for Rafi’s attention. There’s quite a bit of jealousy.”

She gasped and elbowed him. “You are a mind reader. I knew it.” Then ruined her mock affront by laughing.

“If only.” Miles grinned. “I’m curious. Do spirits show up wherever you are?”

“Not as often now that I have better control over my magic. When I was a kid they’d pop up and make pests of themselves. Usually, I have to invite them.”

“With your magic?”

“Um hmm.”

“I’d love to see that.” Miles lowered his voice as they turned to walk down a gloomy alley. “Can others see the ghost once you’ve called them?”

“No. Unless the person is already predisposed to seeing them, I can’t make spirits manifest visually.”

Miles offered her a steadying arm. She accepted the help, tucking her arm into his. Having a vampire navigate the poorly lit alleyway had its perks.

“I know there are different types of magic and that witches are born with certain abilities, I hope this isn’t a faux pax, but will you tell me a little about your magic?”

She gave him a hard side-eye before answering. “It’s hard to explain. Some witches use spells or potions to invoke their magic. For some of us, the magic is just there, waiting for us to call it.”

“You must be amazingly strong to tap directly into the source.” His voice held a note of awe.

“No. It’s a basic ability. Strong witches can do so much more with magic.” Priya hated hearing the sharpness in her tone. Her magic hadn’t manifested until she was ten. Seeing ghosts at that age terrified her.

Not knowing what to do, her non-magic mother sent her to a psychologist. As an adult Priya could appreciate her mother meant well and only had her child’s best interests at heart. As a frightened child, it felt like a betrayal.

---