Page 4 of Forbidden Obsession
I shake my head. “No. No way. We’re not doing anything to bother the neighbors. I can’t get into trouble again. My father might actually starve me this time.”
“Slaughter a sheep for a stupid game?” Rahz sounds as disgusted as I feel. “There’s something deeply wrong with you, Vander.”
“Where else will we get new knucklebones, huh?”
“Nowhere,” Salah says.
“We can play something else,” Lemon adds.
“We have pick-up sticks.” I gesture to the little cabinets built into the far wall containing our games and puzzles. “We haven’t played that in a while.”
“Because it’s for children.” Vander scoffs. “We’re too old for that.”
I roll my eyes, and to add another barrier between us and the neighbor’s sheep, I kick off my sandals and shove them out of the way. The smooth river stones that make up the floor are cool against the sweaty soles of my feet. Rahz does the same. Then so do Salah and Lemon. Their solidarity makes me feel more relaxed. That and being next to Rahz. His presence always comforts me, like sliding into a familiar dance, one whose steps are long since memorized.
Rahz shifts on the cushion. “I have an idea.”
“Who cares?” Vander’s voice grates on my last nerve.
“Everyone but you, apparently,” I say through gritted teeth.
We didn’t use to fight so much. When we were younger, Vander’s abrasive personality was easier to tolerate. None of us cared about who was fae, or who was human, or who was both. Those things only began to matter as the cycles passed, and our realm tightened around us with its politics, prejudices, and adult problems.
Vander is right about one thing. We aren’t children anymore.
Sometimes I miss those simpler days. Other times, I wish to hurry and grow up. For the seasons to fly by so I can escape Father’s strict rules and punishments. So I can manifest my magic. So I can finally meet my mother. So I can kiss a boy.
Maybe even Rahz.
“I have a new story,” says Rahz, glowering at Vander. “And I bet I can scare you.”
Vander casts him a skeptical glance. “Bet me what?”
“My knucklebones. I have a good set.” Rahz leans into me and lowers his voice. “Maybe that’ll keep him away from the neighbor’s sheep.”
For now.We can hope.
Vander perks up. “Let me see.”
“They’re at home,” says Rahz. “You’ll have to trust me. What do I get if I win?”
“What do you want?”
Rahz taps his index finger to his chin and narrows his gaze. “For you to shut up whenever I say until the next round moon.”
Vander sneers. “No way. I’m not letting you boss me around.”
“Then you’d better not get scared.”
“You can’t scare me.”
“Oh, I can.”
The rest of the room has grown bored with their argument. Basil and Petzyl return to the snack tray Bessa left for us and fill their plates. The girls have their own conversation going and pay the bickering boys no mind.
I want to hear Rahz’s new story, but he won’t tell it right away. Best if we wait for the witching hour. When we’re all tucked into our sleeping satchels and he has the best chance at scaring the wits out of Vander and the others. He’s good at scaring me, but I don’t mind. It’s fun to be scared sometimes, especially when there’s no real danger.
When Rahz is there to keep me safe.
