Page 229 of Castings & Curses

Brandon and Tana were spending every available moment helping her train to control her magic. We all knew there was something funky going on in the magical world, but that didn’t mean we could stop our day-to-day activities. Learning to control our powers and hone our talents was crucial for elemental witches, and I had to admit my roommates were lucky they’d found mates who were supportive and downright helpful.

Brandon was a dragon—the guy was fireproof. Tana could not hurt him if she tried. Rio had Magnus, a kraken shifter who was as comfortable in her element as I was playing in the dirt. Enok was a mage, forced to relearn magic since his was stolen in a situation eerily similar to what Maia had faced from her own family. Each of my roommates, aside from Enid, had found the perfect partner.

I envied them, even as I plugged in my new gadget. I’d send my mom a few jars of tomatoes once I finished as a thank you. Everything went smoothly for the first hour or so. I had a dozen pint-sized jars finished. The kitchen smelled sweet and bright—like a ripe cherry tomato should smell.

I was just finishing the last batch when something went wrong. Seconds before I realized what was happening, Enid walked into the kitchen.

“Hi Jade,” she said, her lavender eyes kind and soft as she smiled at me.

“Enid!” I yelled when the sound of electrical clicking reached my ears.

I had only a moment to decide, and it was a no-brainer for me. Instead of ducking for cover, I vaulted over the table, tackling my roommate to the floor as the pressure cooker exploded. Scalding water, boiling tomatoes, and shards of glass erupted from the thing like bullets from an assault weapon.

I took the brunt of it, feeling the boiling contents and bits of broken glass burn my skin and slice through the cotton t-shirt I wore, hurting my back and neck.

Someone was screaming, and it took a second before I realized it wasme.

I hated burns. To me, there was no worse injury. My skin felt as if it was on literal fire. The glass cutting me so deeply in some places it was all I could do to not reach back and pull it out, but I knew that would be worse.

“Oh gods, Jade! You’re gonna be all right!” Enid shouted, crawling out from beneath my body.

I couldn’t move. The pain was growing by the second, as only burns did.

Dammit.

I hated burns.

Did I say that already?

Crap, I would have to go to the infirmary where a certain snarky healer worked.

What would he think of me now?

I couldn’t let him see me injured like this again. He would think I was the weakest witch ever.

Wait—what did I care what he thought?

Oh my Goddess, I was delirious!

Breathing was an effort, and I decided to concentrate on that for a while. It would save me from worrying over things I could not change. One, I was prone to accidents. Two, Arlo Glenn was never gonna like me.

Look at me, counting.

I was so proud I almost laughed, but it came out like a whimper. Enid was scrambling for her phone; I heard her tapping the screen and pictured her longish nails moving gracefully across it.

I was not graceful, but she sure was.

“Hello, yes this is room 563W, send someone quick, there’s been an accident,” Enid’s voice reached me, and I wanted to tell her not to call the infirmary. I’d be fine. There was burn cream in the bathroom, but the only thing that came out was one word I never meant to whisper.

“Arlo,” I said.

“What Jade? Arlo? Oh, okay, send Arlo Glenn!” Enid told whomever she was speaking to.

My heart pounded, and I grimaced at the mess up. All I’d wanted was to can my crop of tomatoes. It was Saturday. No rush, no fuss. I didn’t have big plans like Tana, Rio, and Maia. I was just a simple earth witch wanting to live my best life.

And here I was, covered in burns and glass, likely bleeding all over the floor.

I was finally getting out of the boot on my foot this week, but would now have to contend with a whole new slew of injuries. Worst of all,hewould know all about it.

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