Page 81 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“So where’s this assistant of yours? It’s not Dorcas is it? I can’t be bothered with her attitude tonight.”

I laughed, “no, I was only joking.”

“Oh good. Want a drink?”

“Always.”

He motioned for the bartender, who poured out a duplicate of whatever Cillian was drinking. Probably some whiskey mix.

Sliding it across the bar, the man behind it gave me a wink - which I ignored.

“He’s new,” I commented.

Cillian looked him over, “Yes… He’s alright though. He helped sort a few things for me when I got here early.” When I didn’t reply he continued, “I would have thought he’d be your type.”

“Hmm…” I sipped at my drink as my eyes wandered the room, “I hadn’t noticed.”

Cillian eyed me speculatively, “off the market are you?” He raised a dark eyebrow at me, leaning back in his chair, his whiskey glass dangling between his fingers.

“Don’t give me that look.”

“My… my… must be quite the gentleman.”

I rolled my eyes, “I hadn’t admitted a thing actually.”

“You didn’t need to, your lack of denial was all the admission I needed.” I made a noise of derision in response and stirred the ice in my glass, the clinking pleasant. “Come on, usually you’d have picked out your prey for the evening within moments of entering the bar.”

“How do you know I haven’t?”

He levelled me with a look, “because you’ve spent more time glancing at your phone in your bag and talking to me than you have looking at anyone else.”

“I would have thought you’d appreciate the company.”

“You know I love you Adeline, you’re my dearest friend… But quit the bullshit. Just tell me, are you happy?”

“Yes.” I answered without hesitation, surprising even myself.

“Well good. Right, I’ll be right back, I need to check on something backstage.”

I nodded absently as he made to move, “So listen, I wasn’t being altogether honest earlier,” I said, looking at the door.

“Oh Gods! It is Dorcas isn’t it?! Oh well, rather her miserable face than moony-eyed Lillian.”

I laughed, just as Sage opened the door. Taking a sip of my drink for courage, I looked back at Cillian. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

“What? What do you…” He glanced towards the door and went as wholly still as I had ever seen him. “What is she doing here? Are you actually friends now?”

“Don’t panic.”

“I’m not panicking,” he hissed, “you know I don’t like surprises!”

“Yes well, I figured. Usually Sage was one human sized surprise herself. Which one of us do you think will make her malfunction the most?”

“What do you-“ his eyes wandered my body, the pieces fitting together. “-she’s never seen you like this?” He continued.

“Of course not,”

“Definitely you then.”

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