Page 82 of Bonds of Magic
“Nothing.”
“It didn’t sound like nothing.” His eyes were accusatory.
“She’s a Healer. They’re always on the look-out for baby birds they can mother.”
“It sounded like she thought something was—”
“Drop it, Cory.” It came out colder than I meant it to.
“Fine.” He turned around.
“Wait. I wasn’t done.”
He didn’t walk away, but he didn’t turn to look at me again either.
“What?” He bit the word off.
“Were you telling the truth? To Cinda?”
“Why the fuck do you—” Cory broke off and looked over his shoulder. “What do you care?”
I dropped my voice. “I care because you came into my cabin with a burned torso not so long ago, and you refused to go to the infirmary for it. I want to make sure you’re really okay.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I lowered my voice even more. “Look, just because things have to be…a certain way…doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. You’re my student. I want you to be healthy. And safe. I’m trying to—”
“Well, don’t,” he snapped. “I told you before. I don’t need it.”
“Cory, I just meant that—”
“Have fun in Pointe Claudette tonight,” he said, then stalked away.
17
CORY
Iwas still burning with indignation when I met Rekha for another lesson in the library that evening.
“You’re late,” she said when I joined her in the alcove where we normally practiced. “If I’m going to be stuck giving you these lessons for the rest of the semester, you could at least show up on time.”
“Missed you too,” I said, but it was hard to summon up my usual frustration with her superiority complex. I was still too caught up in my own thoughts.
“Just stand over there so we can get started,” she said, pointing to a much-battered bookcase that looked like it might topple over at any minute.
“Sir, yes, sir,” I said with a little salute, moving into position.
“Very cute. A gold star in sarcasm. Your friend must be rubbing off on you.”
“Who, Ash? I guess he’s kind of contagious that way.”
“Why do you hang out with him anyway?” Rekha asked. “And that Felix kid.”
“Because they’re my friends. Isn’t that usually why people hang out?”
“Yeah, but why? You’re a witch. You should be friends with people who’ll have your back.”
“Felix and Ash do have my back,” I said, getting a little angry at her. It was a nice change from being angry at Noah. “They’re there for me when I need it, and I’m there for them.”
