Page 57 of Forbidden Magic
“It’s an ancient Fairy Curse written next to a separate concealing spell.” The ominous undertone of his drawl set my teeth on edge. He pauses before adding. “And this note here at the bottom is quite interesting. It says: does Jules know she’s not human?
My head spins like the stacks of books have suddenly caved down on me. “Maybe you read it wrong?”
“I’m perfectly fluent, Mademoiselle Julia Winslow.” He cleans his glasses and puts them back in line with his eyes, the carmine irises scanning me from head to toe like he’s never really looked at me before. “If that is really your name…”
I huff and yank the page away from him, cramming it deep into my bag. The condescending chuckle that follows my retreat grates at every bit of my pride. Cole must be playing a damn trick on me, because I’m as human as they come. That damn prince is trying to get into my head.
* * *
“Today,I’m starting at the back of the list. Julia, you’re first. Who would you like to challenge?” Oz asks, his trusty notepad at the ready.
This is it. The moment of truth. My eyes search the crowd. “Flynn.”
The Fae hops to his feet. “Alright! Let’s go!”
“Mr. Verinos. Please keep your seat. You fought Miss Winslow already.”
My jaw slacks. “But— That’s not part of the rules.”
“It is now.”
My mind reels, and I get this weird feeling that Oz is trying to look out for me, but he’s not helping. In fact, all the pent-up energy in my body claws for an out. I have to fight. I have to win. There’s no other option to soothe the ache in my bones, this incomparable need to prove myself to these filthy people. I need to flatten a Fae today.
Flynn pats Cole forcefully on the back. “Cole. Teach that witch a lesson for me, will you?”
All eyes turn to Cole, and I swear I see a hint of annoyance flicker in his eyes before he rises to his feet.
My mouth dries up. It’s not the same, and all my confidence pours out of me like blood flowing from a deep wound I didn’t know existed. An itch at the back of my head warns me that Cole is the better fighter. That this might change everything.
He hasn’t tried to prank me with the rune drawing yet, but it doesn’t mean he won’t. I let that thought fuel my appetite for violence.
“Cole vs the mortal. Well, we all know who wins this one,” Brie snickers, her pink bubble gum snapping at the exact right moment to punctuate her jab.
“My money is on the witch,” Melanie shouts from behind her brother, and I smile. She came to see who’d win the bet.
Trent gives me a thumbs up.
I hold my arms out, fire warming my fingertips. I wanted to pummel Flynn into oblivion, but I’ll have to settle for second-best. A Fae is a Fae.
The dark prince passes his thumb over his lips. “This is so unnecessary. Why did you even take the bet?”
“Afraid to lose, your majesty?” I coat the word with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
A cocky smile glazes his lips. “Call me that again.”
“Ugh. Let’s do this.”
He unhooks his cufflinks and rolls the white sleeves of his uniform to his elbows, the muscles in his forearms defined and distracting.
A few feminine whistles boom from the bleachers.
“They all came to see who’d win the bet,” Cole says.
My eyes narrow, and I watch his fingers closely, wondering what he’s doing.
“You dressed for the occasion,” he says, looking me up and down.
If I hypothetically wore my best black camisole and sexiest leggings for this fight, I’m sure as hell not going to admit it.
