“I’m a little hungry,” I said. “The bar might be a good time.”
There was a rousing chorus of agreement. AtThe Drunken Dragon, the shifters were gathered around the pool table, arguing over who got to shoot first. Ethan kept throwing glances at me, but I told him telepathically to stop— I needed space. He kept his eyes on the game after that, though his concern still niggled at me through our bond.
The girls sat around me in the booth and chatted about school, while I remained quiet. I held onto my drink and didn’t talk much. It felt like I didn’t have a lot to say. At least, not anything that mattered.
“That’s a cute choker,” Odette said to Delmare. She was wearing a spiky black collar around her neck I hadn’t noticed before. I didn’t notice much of anything, these days.
“It’s from Stefan,” Delmare said. “He thought it would complement my shaved head.”
“He’s got you wearing a collar now?” I smirked.
“Hey, you can’t judge me. I know all about you and Ethan’s BDSM fantasies,” Delmare teased while wiggling her eyebrows.
I was glad my brother was across the bar. He didn’t need to hear about this.
“Spankingfantasies,” I corrected. “Much different.”
Maybe you need another one, Ethan quipped playfully inside my head, and I felt my face flush. He gave me a wink as he sank a ball into the quarter pocket.
“It must’ve been good,” Kiara teased. “You’re blushing!”
The girls laughed around me, while I nodded numbly. It was a normal conversation between me and my friends, which is what I needed, but it still didn’t give a semblance of normalcy like I wanted it to.
Today had beenkind offun. At least I’d stopped feeling like I was withering away inside.
I still had my friends. That was what counted, because I didn’t want to go through this alone.
Vara’s words from earlier prodded at me, but I didn’t understand yet how they could be true— that I could find a new path. Though I didn’t yet see a way forward, my purpose as the Worldweaver had been renewed. I was going to find the Black Claw, and get my hands on the griffin stone.
Once I did, I’d make Gabby rue the day she decided to take what was mine.
Chapter Fifteen
Ethan
It was late Sunday evening by the time I got back from hockey practice. I heard voices resonating down the darkened hallway. I knew it wasn’t my business, but still— the conversation seemed of dire importance, so instead of turning the other way and avoiding the topic, I pressed against the wall and leaned in.
“You’re hanging with the wrong crowd, Callista!” Professor Hemlock was lecturing her daughter again. “First the nightshade, nowthis? This business is going to get you into trouble!”
“I can do what I want! This is what I think is right!”
“Callista, I forbid you to have any more involvement with these people.”
“I’m eighteen! You can’t tell me what to do!” Callista shot back.
“My daughter, wanting to join acult? I won’t allow it!” Hemlock hissed.
That sure seemed like she was referring to the Black Claw. I heard Callista stomp her foot.
“You can try, but you aren’t going to stop me.”
“Callista!”
Her daughter must’ve walked off, because Professor Hemlock gave an angry noise and slammed her office door behind her. As the argument ended, a spark formed in my mind. Would Callista have an idea of where the cult was?
I hurried after Callista. She turned when she heard my heavy footsteps approaching. An expression of strong dislike bore on her face.
That wasn’t great for what I was about to ask.
