Page 48 of Phoenix Academy: Madness

There's no way I could ever ask him, though.

"As long as you're here..." Pulling the book towards me, I decide I might as well return the topic of conversation to the subject at hand. "Xavier got a book all about witch powers from a woman who was my ancestor. It might have a few answers in it about what happened the day we met, although it's hard to know. Her powers and mine are so similar, but some things might be different." Glancing up at David, I cautiously ask, "Want to help us?"

He grunts. "Well, I came here for other reasons..."

His words just remind me of the other uncomfortable thing that his presence brought to the room: the brand new knowledge that Reggie is interested in me. Or might be, depending on whether I believe David's claims or Xavier's doubts.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to do a bit of research before dinner," David concludes, looking heavily in Xavier's direction. "Pull up that chair and put it between you two. I'll be your fluffer."

Xavier chokes, and I turn bright red. "Don't you meanbuffer?"

"Same difference," he says, even though nothing could be further from the truth.

It's going to be a long research session, I can tell.

I just hope my damn hormones don't get me in trouble again. The last thing I need is to succumb further to the attraction I feel to the guys. It can only end in misery for all four of us.

Chapter 23

My ancestor,Viveca Wolfe, apparently never encountered a familiar bond. That makes sense—the bond has been lost, or gone out of tradition, for a long time. But shediddiscover things about strong naturalistic powers that are completely new to me. Things about healing the sick and speaking to the dead, powers I didn't even know I might have.

It's too bad I can't concentrate, between the trace of Xavier's mouth on my skin, and the looks David keeps shooting me whenever I glance down at the book. He's never staring in my direction when I look up, but it doesn't seem to matter; his gaze catches my eye either way.

Stupid boys.

Stupid hormones.

Stupider mouth.

After an hour or so of going through parts of the book and studying it, Xavier calls time. There's nothing more we'll learn from staring cross-eyed at the thing, and dinner is well underway.

"Here." He hands the thick, leather-bound tome to me with only a little reluctance. "You should have it. She was your ancestor, after all."

"Thanks."

My fingers brush against his as I take the book, and it's all I can do not to blush furiously. As it is my pulse soars, and I catch David rolling his eyes dramatically—I guess I really am that obvious, at least when it comes to Xavier. His kindness, along with his handsomeness, hits the sweet spot inside of me that wants him.

It's too bad I want Reggie and David just as much.

Maybe if thereisa passage in this book about familiar bonds, it'll come with a warning: "Do not create a bond with a shifter, because the overwhelming physical attraction will be impossible to ignore."

Of course, the trio was handsome before the bond was formed. And I didn't feel this way about them instantly—there was plenty of annoyance, doubt, and frustration right when we first met. But now that we've settled in and spent some time together, all I can think about is the three very different ways these three guys would fit just right with me. The nerd, the entertainer, and the brooder—they're like the trifecta of every girl's dream guy.

It's too bad they don't know how to share.

* * *

Friday, 9:00 AM Magic Casting Control with Gregory Auerbach, Mage

I head to my first class with the boys the morning after the kiss not knowing what to expect, but Reggie greets me warmly as always, David looks miserable to be awake so early, and Xavier is just excited to ask me if I read anymore of the book. Nothing has changed, it seems, at least on the outside.

On the inside I feel completely different.

The dreams I had last night werenotthe creepy, prophetic variety. The spirit realm has been sleeping, it seems—or lying in wait for something ominous. My dreams last night primarily consisted of kissing. Every type of kissing.

Needless to say, it's hard to stand in the gymnasium—now named the Victoria Cheng Building—without getting a little hot under the collar. Thankfully, Mage Auerbach showing up cools my excitement somewhat, given that he's still the spawn of witch hunters, no matter how much I've gotten used to him being around.

"Alright." He claps his hands together to get our attention, an annoying habit made even more annoying by all the jangling bracelets he wears. "I've got something new for the four of you this morning: a little real life experiment testing Ari's powers on someone."

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