Oh for fuck’s sake.“Anyone care what I think?” I pipe up, moving to stand between them.
Kaleb’s expression immediately gentles as he looks down at me. “Of course we care what you think.”
Donovan doesn’t speak, but he looks smug before I’ve even said anything.
I sigh, focusing on Kaleb. “I’m sure Donovan will teach me how to escape someone who tries to grab me, but he’s right, I don’t want to learn just the bare minimum.” My jaw flexes as I grit my teeth, and the muscles in my back start to tense. “I refuse to be a victim again, and I want to make damn sure that anyone that tries to make me one regrets it. The pain I’ll experience training or fighting will be nothing compared to what I’ve already been through.”
I fear I’ve said too much when I notice the haunted look in Felix’s hazel eyes and the concerned, calculating looks in the others, but I need them to understand. I don’t want to be broken anymore.
Kaleb unfolds his arms and rests one of his hands on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Callie. If this is what you want, I’ll support you. It’s just-- you’ve been through so much. I didn’t want your training to add to your pain.”
The tension drains from my body looking up into his warm gaze, and I place one of my hands over his, my thumb making soft arcs against his skin. “I appreciate that, and it’s not like I’m looking for ways to cause myself unnecessary harm, but what I’ve been through in some ways has made me a lot stronger and more powerful than I look.”
“More powerful is right,” Nolan jibes, running a hand through his hair. “Your magic is bound and you’re still summoning storms out of thin air and blowing up trees.”
“Isn’t that normally where storms come from?” Felix jokes, coming back to himself. “The tree, the bonfire, and whatever the hell she broke inside the Whitaker’s house last night without trying. That’s impressive.”
“Wait, Callie was the one who destroyed the Whitaker’s formal dining room table?” Nolan exclaims, trading his wide-eyed gaze between Felix and me.
“That’s what I broke?” I cringe, a flush burning up my cheeks.
Except for Nolan, the guys show varying degrees of amusement over my embarrassment, ranging from Donovan laughing to Kaleb’s attempt to swallow his smile.
“It didn’t just break,” Nolan clarifies, resting his hands on his hips. “The thing imploded on itself, until it became really expensive kindling.”
“Damn, pretty girl,” Felix chimes with a grin. “Remind me to never piss you off.”
Groaning, I drop my head forward against Kaleb’s chest. His hand moves to the back of my neck, his fingers gently massaging the knotted muscles he finds there.Oh, that feels nice.
“Her training might help with that,” Donovan comments, his gravelly voice coming from close behind me.
Combined scents of musk and sandalwood tease my nose, making me feel like I’ve wandered down the men’s cologne aisle. However, under Kaleb’s semi-distracted ministrations, I’m caring less that they’re once again talking around me. I’m vaguely curious what Connor thinks about all of this, but not enough to pull away and look.
“Help how?” Nolan asks, the words serious, but the sultry purr of his voice softens the edges.
My friends are good looking, smell nice, and have voices that can melt a girl’s bones. That’s just not fair.
“Magic wants to live or whatever,” Donovan answers flippantly. “So these flare-ups probably have something to do with trying to protect Callie. If she already knows how to protect herself, maybe her magic will stop going ape shit.”
I feel Kaleb’s words through his chest as he comments, “I hadn’t considered that. I knew her magic flared up with her emotions, but you’re suggesting some type of mental connection with her magic that takes into consideration how Callie feels about the situation.”
I should probably be saying something, but I’m a bit distracted. The way my head is resting, I have a great view of Kaleb’s six pack, as well as the defined Adonis belt leading into the pants hanging low on his hips.Should probably not be ogling him like this.My fingertips tingle at my sides.Definitely shouldn’t touch.
“I do think with more than my fists on occasion,” Donovan scoffs.
“Are you sure about that?” Felix jokes. “Because your answer is literally Callie learning to hit things.”
There’s a moment of silence that’s probably Donovan scowling or grinding his teeth, before he continues, completely ignoring Felix’s comment. “I don’t know how magic works outside what we got last night, but Mildred said Callie’s magic was trying to protect her, so if she can protect herself without magic--”
“She won’t feel trapped or helpless, so her magic won’t have to step in to defend her,” Kaleb finishes. “Good idea. I’m sorry I doubted you.”
Donovan replies with a grunt of dismissal.
“What do you think about all of this, Callie love?” Nolan inquires, a hint of knowing in his voice.
Shit, can he tell I’m checking out Kaleb?
“Your guess is as good as mine,” I mumble, knowing I should probably move, but I’m not because-- neck massage. “It’s only been a week since I learned magic was more than trying to pull bunnies out of hats.”
