Page 5 of Monster's Pet

I snuggled more firmly in Aiden’s arms, peering out at the seemingly endless Irish Sea. I knew Northumberland Island would appear as soon as we passed the barrier between the human world and ours, but right now, all I could see was choppy waves and gray skies.

Another thing that made this return to the island easier was the thought that I only had a year and a half left.

More than halfway done.

I was surprised to find that I felt sad.

“Hey,” I said, looking up at Aiden awkwardly. “Are you looking forward to graduating?”

He grimaced. “Let’s get through our theses first, shall we? I still don’t know what I’m doing for mine, exactly.”

“I thought you and Professor Reynolds were doing something with Arithmancy and how spell effects are enhanced in their different forms?” I asked, referencing our Qualitative Spellcraft professor.

Aiden sighed heavily. “Yeah. But so much of what we’re discussing is theoretical. I feel so lost half the time.”

“You and me both,” I agreed, thinking about my own thesis with Professor Akhtar on the ley lines that linked magic around the world. “And I thought I was smart!”

“You are. Most of what I overhear you two talking about goes so far over my head, it could be flying,” Aiden said with a small chuckle.

“There it is,” Bruce interrupted us, pointing out over the sea at the island in the distance.

“That’s funny, I didn’t feel the barrier,” I said before shrugging. “You distract me, babe,” I added, looking up at Aiden.

“And I’m not even trying.” He grinned wolfishly and winked. “Want me to?”

“Not here!” I hissed, eyes wide.

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but I was going to ask you a question about your thesis, give your mind a puzzle,” he said, altogether too innocently.

I rolled my eyes. “Sure you were.”

We teased each other the rest of the way to the academy, where Hazel greeted us at the main doors.

“How was your holiday?” she asked, shivering slightly from the wind gusting in through the open doors as everyone entered.

“It was relaxing,” I said, and everyone nodded their agreement. “I’m feeling ready to take on the new semester.”

Bruce groaned. “Speak for yourself on that one. My classes this term are intense.”

“I was,” I said primly. “Maybe you should have spread out the higher level classes a bit more if you don’t think you can handle them.”

“You know I couldn’t do that.” Bruce scowled. “I had to focus on bringing Clarissa back first.”

“No one is saying your priorities were off,” Aiden intervened. “Siobhan meant in the future.”

Bruce sighed. “These are all mandatory courses for everything else I need to take. I’ll figure it out.”

“You can do it,” Clarissa said. “I’ll help you study.”

“Thanks, darling. Let’s go to our room.” The couple led the way up the stairs.

“Who do you think will be your roommate now?” I asked Aiden as we followed the others. “I hope they’re as flexible with our sleeping arrangement as Bruce was.”

Aiden looked surprised. “I doubt I’ll get a new roommate at this point in the year,” he said. “Not that I want to ask. I’m hoping they’ve forgotten that I’m alone, and I’m afraid that asking will remind them I’m not.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Good plan. I like the privacy it gives us.”

“You’ll come back to our room sometimes, though, right?” Hazel said, her eyes sad. “I miss you.”

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