Gia rolled onto her side, chest pinching tight as a swell of determination surged through her. “We’ll get your body. I promise. They won’t win.”
Their gazes locked, Aurora’s eyes shimmering in the dark.
Gia had never done anything about her family, but she could do something to help Aurora, and she wouldn’t stop trying until they succeeded.
“Thanks.” Aurora extended a pale hand, resting her fingers on top of Gia’s.
A chill started in her hand and coursed through her body, a thousand tiny tingles lighting her up. Aurora’s ghostly skin seemed to spark in response.
“You’ll fit right in with the Lockwoods, you know. They’re fierce like you.”
“I’m not fierce.” But Gia could try to be. Do better than shehad been.
Aurora pulled her hand away, a huff of misplaced disbelief filling the space between them. “You learned about magictodayand promised to help me deal with an unprecedented magical situation. That’s the definition of fierce.”
A tendril of shame curled inside Gia. “Well, yeah. Of course I’ll help. Sorry I was so resistant before.”
“Because you didn’t believe me? That’s normal. Now that you know I’m in trouble, you offered to help. It’s what any Lockwood would do. What family should do.”
Family. Gia’s heart ached. Her family never looked out for her. Sure, they protected her out of obligation, but the Balzanos never wanted what was best for her. For her to be happy and live the life she wanted. To help her reach her potential.
Longing for that kind of family nearly smothered Gia.
Aurora hadn’t meant that the two of them were like family. She was talking about the Lockwood Coven, and even if Gia wasn’t as wary of her aunt’s coven as she’d been, she didn’t belong with them.
FOURTEEN
AURORA
Their conversation drifted awayfrom heavier topics and slowed to a crawl. Aurora watched Gia slip into sleep, transfixed by her unguarded expression. Those soft cheeks and pouting lips. Gia’s utter relaxation made Aurora acutely aware of how poised she’d been in every waking moment, even when Aurora had thought she’d glimpsed cracks in her veneer.
It seemed Gia was always on her guard. She hadn’t shared much as they’d talked.
Why had she lived at home during college? She’d hardly said anything about her family, and hadn’t talked about them in relation to her move to Shearwater Landing. Not the way someone with a strong familial connection would, so it didn’t seem like she’d lived at home out of a loving desire to stay close.
Aurora let her curiosity go. She’d have to be patient if she wanted to get to know Gia. She wouldn’t spill her life story in a day, even if Aurora had no qualms about answering any question she threw at her, giving as much of herself as Gia asked for.
Would Gia be pleased Aurora was lying here, watching her sleep, admiring the faint freckles on her cheeks? Aurora tried not to be creepy about it, but she couldn’t pry herself away.
Being near Gia felt right. Centering, nogrounding. Her soul longed to close the distance between them, an electric force tugging them together.
Was this feeling nothing more than the magic tying them together, akin to whatever had called her to the theater? Aurora wanted to say no. She hadn’t felt like this trapped in the office. This pull felt like it came from within. It was stronger now than it had been earlier, as if it were growing along with her personal connection to Gia.
That, or Aurora’s mind was running away with itself, lost in an abundance of time and lack of sleep, leading her to fantasy.
Sometime after the sun had risen, Gia stirred and rolled onto her back. The moment she shifted into consciousness, Aurora swore a zap of energy ignited in the still morning air, calling her soul to attention.
“Hey.” Gia’s soft voice was heavy with sleep as she turned to look at her.
“Morning,” Aurora said in a low rasp, the charge between them heightening.
Gia shifted, seemingly oblivious to the spark. She stretched, the blanket falling away, and settled closer to Aurora, a tiny smile shaping her lips. Her lashes fluttered, and Aurora longed to obliterate the distance separating them.
Gia stilled, her attention settling on Aurora. Were her feelings written all over her face? If they were, Gia didn’t look displeased. Her cheeks flushed, and Aurora didn’t think it was the warmth of the bed.
Gia had to feel this connection too, didn’t she?
Can I kiss you?The words were on the tip of Aurora’s tongue. Except she couldn’t kiss Gia. Not really.
