Page 12 of Blood Witch

“Not quite,” I said, shaking my head and laughing without humor. “We tried breaking into a small corner store. We were hungry, and I noticed I could pick locks faster than anyone else. Sometimes, I just had to think about the lock and it would just fall apart in my hand,” I whispered.

I couldn’t even look up as I spoke. It was the first time I had said these things aloud, and I really did not want to see their reactions. My roommates were good women, good witches. They grew up safe and loved, and they would not understand me. I simply was not like them.

“Anyway, Stolbright told me there was a place for people like me and I didn’t care what it was. It had to be better than living on the street. So, I came here. The first year, I hardly went to class and didn’t make any friends. The second year, I was assigned to live with you guys—”

“But you bailed,” Rio said, and everyone chuckled or snorted.

“Yep, I did.” My cheeks were burning, but I guess it was confession time. “I, uh, didn’t want to be around people, you know?” I shrugged.

“I’m sorry you had to do this alone for so long,” Jade said.

“Yeah, we all are,” Maia seconded.

“But Mabe, you aren’t alone now,” Arlo added.

“We’re all here for you, goth girl,” Tana added and winked.

The Fire Witch nodded, and I felt something release inside me.

Was that anxiety?

I didn’t know. All I knew was I felt lighter somehow. A feeling that was new and good, and lasted about another half a second before Enid came racing inside.

“Guys! Um, this guy was waiting for me after my night class, and he asked if he could come into our room—”

“Did you say no?” Rio gasped, shaking her head and pulling Enid inside.

“Um, not exactly,” pretty Enid replied, and that was when I saw him standing behind her. “Everyone, this is Fin.”

“Hello. We’ve already met,” a voice like gravel said and I found myself caught up in a pair of eyes that glowed like silver fire.

“You,” I murmured before I was hit by a hunger so strong, the entire world went red.

Everything inside me screamed to get closer to him. To sniff. To lick. To bite his pale skin and partake in his life’s fluid. My magic pulsed and my teeth ached as I wrestled for control.

“I was hoping to see you again, Mabel Marlow.”

CHAPTER5

Mabel.He called me Mabel.

My heart hammered in my chest like a freight train and all I could think was the tall, mysterious, devastatingly gorgeous man had called me by a name I hadn’t heard in over five years.

All my roomies and their mates were tripping over themselves, clearing away snacks and drinks, someone even upended the table holding the cards they were playing. I couldn’t see Fin, he was currently drowning under their sea of handshakes and too bright smiles.

Anyone with eyes could see they were lining up in front of me protectively, and I really fucking appreciated it since I was frozen solid. I’d been a bit of shit when I met these witches and their mates, and knowing they would protect me as one of their own really meant a lot.

“Mabe, I was gonna wait till later, but here, go hide this,” Arlo whispered.

He placed a small Styrofoam box into my hand and gently nudged me toward my bedroom door.

Shit.

I knew what it was. Another blood bag from the Infirmary. My cravings were growing, and nothing seemed to satiate my hunger. The depletion of magic from the world was taking its toll on everyone magical, but for me, that meant having to deal with more frequent bouts of blood lust.

If Fin was an Enforcer like they’d said, then he was likely there investigating one thing or other. I just prayed it wasn’t me.

“Thank you, but I already ate. I actually wanted to talk to Miss Marlow.”

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