Page 278 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

“He’ll use you. In three years’ time you’ll be fighting to hang on to your car when he leaves. Or worse, surrenders you to his family.”

“I’ll take your warning under consideration. Thanks for dinner.” He stalked out, biting back his anger, knowing Bailey would never be invited. If he brought him uninvited, his parents would seethe. The cold night air made his arms pop up in gooseflesh.

“Kass, wait.” Meaghan ran out the front door.

“What?” He didn’t need dating advice from his younger sister.

“They’re worried.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“I’ve never seen you so wound up about a guy.”

“Maybe it’s the bond.”

“Can you really sense him?”

He nodded. “Bits of thoughts, emotions, sometimes snippets of scenery.” If they practiced, they’d improve and be able to do more. He wanted to go for another run because that had been amazing.

“Do you love him?”

“I don’t know.” He wasn’t sure what was between him and what was Bailey, but the gap left when Bailey was in surgery had been terrifying and painful. But was that love? He wasn’t sure. He was only twenty-four.

She studied him; her face masked by shadows. “You want the chance to find out.”

“I think so. It happened for a reason. Our magics must mesh or something. I don’t want to break it and regret it. I don’t want to give up my job either.”

“I used to want magic so bad. But I’m kind of glad I don’t have any, as it seems like a pain in the ass.”

He smiled. “Pretty much, though it has uses.”

“Remember when Mum found out you’d won the interschool tennis.”

“I thought she’d ban me from using magic forever.” Witches never became professional sports people, as there were too many cameras that caught every action; one wrong move and they’d be exposed.

“She didn’t stay mad forever.” She leaned in and gave him a hug. “And she won’t this time either.”

* * *

Bailey sat opposite Kass.As much as he hoped that Kass would come and see him again, he hated that they were surrounded and unable to touch. Yeah, he was there for a reason and unlike many, he didn’t make excuses or claim to be innocent. But the need to touch his witch burned. His fingers curled, remembering the way Kass had held his hand for those few minutes in hospital.

“How are you?” Kass smiled. “You look better this time.”

“That’s not hard. I was half dead.”

“Did they catch the guy who did it?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I think he was getting assessed because he kept ranting about covens.” He tried to make light of it, but his family had gotten to him in prison, and were pissy because his sentence had been shortened. “Happy Birthday for last week.”

“You remembered?”

“I would’ve got you something, but the shops are terrible in this place, and I don’t recommend the restaurants either.”

Kass gave a low laugh. “Not long to go now. Then we can go out for dinner.”

Bailey stilled and Kass watched him with wide eyes like he’d suddenly realized what he’d said. Would he try to take it back? Did he let it slide or pounce? He resisted for a few more seconds, then made sure his voice was low. “Like a date?”

Kass nodded.

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