Page 81 of Forbidden Magic
“We could beat your lot with our eyes closed,” Flynn seethes.
I smile ear-to-ear. “Then prove it.”
Flynn opens his mouth and meets Cole’s gaze before nodding and stepping out of our way. “Okay. Welcome to the Fae beach games, mortals. May the odds be ever in your favor.”
I strip off my shirt.
Trent runs up to us. “I’ll play with you.” His hand is already on my arm, his gaze devouring the golden tan I got during Christmas break.
I squeeze his hand, but shake my head. “Not today. Today, this is my team.” I look back to my people. Allie. Olson. Lydia.
We can do it.
The volleyball tournament is first. Only magic is allowed to touch the ball, and Allie represents us proudly. Lydia wins the divination challenge to immortal boos but ear-numbing claps and encouraging shouts from us. Olson is neck to neck with Flynn at the climbing wall.
I hold back, waiting for Cole to take part in the celebrations. I want to give him a taste of how it feels to lose to me.
Melanie jumps on an empty bench and starts explaining the rules of the water treasure hunt. “Who’s up for a real challenge? Whoever can find the mythic Dark Falls crown first will be king of the games.”
“Or queen,” Brie says quickly, linking her arm in Melanie’s.
“A crown. Sounds like my cue to act,” Cole says, finally taking part in the celebrations.
“We have Brie for the supernaturals, Cole for the Faes, anyone else?” Melanie arches a brow.
Dusting off my butt, I stand up.
“Don’t, Jules. Something bad is going to happen, I can feel it,” Lydia calls out.
I march ahead, my skin tingling. I’m ignoring a direct warning from a seer, but I can’t lay down and let these immortal assholes walk all over me. “Don’t worry, guys, I won’t let them win.”
32
A Mermaid's Kiss
The water is so dark; I’m blind. I can’t believe I agreed to this. I push my way through slimy seaweed, knowing that I only have a few minutes. Magic or no magic, breathing under water requires serious concentration, and a headache is already forming between my eyes.
My lungs ache as I descend deeper and deeper into the abyss. Fae water is more treacherous than I thought, but I push through the stinging claustrophobia racing like ants behind my useless eyes.
The crown is at the bottom of the Fae sea. It emits a tiny magical signature that every supernatural can feel in their bones, but following it requires a lot of instinct. My witchy nature needs to be completely attuned to the elements despite the hostile surroundings.
I take a deep breath of salty water, my lungs begrudgingly assimilating the oxygen, and hum to drown out the silence. Until I feel it. The tiniest pull. As soon as I’ve got a good hold on the magic beacon, I dash in its direction.
Cold water swirls around me, biting into my flesh.
I bump into a rock and pat down my forehead.
It moves and paws at my arm.
Not a rock, then.
Not a rockskims my shoulders until it reaches my hair.
My hand finds silky skin, the hard planes of a man’s chest heaving underneath my fingers.
My body recognizes what it craves, and my insides curl.
Nose against nose. Wet curls in my grip.
