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“We need a mage to do a time spell.”

Nic doesn’t respond, just staring Aksel down.

“And Anna believes you would help us,” Aksel grinds out.

Nic smiles, but it’s fake and sarcastic. “I’ll do it for Anna, not you. So maybe you should let her ask.”

Aksel bites his tongue before grinding down on his teeth hard. But he stays quiet, and I know that’s hard for him.

“Nic, could you do a time spell for us?” I ask.

Now, Nic’s smile is real. “Of course. I’ve never done one before, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn it. I’ll need time to find a book and any ingredients I need.”

“Is it dangerous?” Aly asks, looking up at Nic. The love in her eyes is beautiful.

“No, it shouldn’t be. Don’t worry, Princess,” Nic responds.

“Then we will leave you to it,” Aksel says, standing up and heading for the door.

I get up and hug Aly first, then Nic and Jeremy. Felix stays close to my back, and I can feel him stiffen when I do. Can’t he see how in love they are with Aly? They don’t care about hugging me.

“Thank you so much. Where are the others?” I ask.

“Oh, just busy. They’ll be bummed to have missed you,” Aly says.

“Tell them hi for me!”

I quickly make our exit. This went better than I ever could have hoped, and I don’t want to tempt fate by staying any longer. Thank God Aksel is already out the door.

It must really suck having to ask a guy you hate for help. I’ll have to try and make it happen again.

* * *

Two days later, Nic calls. He’ll be ready to do the spell tomorrow. It’s been an uneventful two days lounging around the house. Felix has been with me the entire time, with Griffyn and Blaze coming and going.

There’s a knock on my door, pulling me out of my thoughts. It sounds slow and lazy, so I’m guessing it’s Griffyn.

I swing open the door to see his smirking face looking back at me.

“Hey Anna, can I come in?” He asks.

This feels like déjà vu. Griffyn showing up at my door and asking to come in. Except for this time, I know what’s really happening between us.

“Sure.” I move into the room, perching on the edge of my bed. “What’s up?”

He follows me in, standing close without touching me. “Well, we have a mission tomorrow.”

He gives me big eyes. I think he’s hoping I’ll fill in the blanks for him, but I won’t. Just in case I have it wrong, I don’t want to assume he’s here for sex.

“Yes, we do,” I say, smiling.

He groans softly under his breath. “Are you going to make me spell it out?”

“Since I don’t know why you’re here, yes, I will.”

He runs his fingers through his silky black hair with a sheepish smile.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous about propositioning a girl. You said I could come to you when I need to feed, and with a mission tomorrow, I want to be in top shape. So,” He takes a deep breath. “Are you still interested?”

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