Page 52 of Heart of Mischief

Or…

You can accept the legacy you were born into.

You can let it make you strong.

Charlie wanted to be strong. She’dalwayswanted to be strong. It was why she’d joined the circus and learned how to fly on the silks and trapeze. It was why she’d thrust herself into magic after her sister’s death rather than be consumed by grief. It was why she’d signed everyone up for six a.m. fighting lessons with the Vikings. She wanted to be strong. Sheneededto be strong—both for her own sake and that of the people she loved most.

What the Hel was she going to do? Listen to Elias and try to coax out magic within herself that probably didn’t even exist? Search frantically for another option? Give up?

If she was truly the child of Loki, shouldn’t she have exhibited signs of magic well before now? She was almost seventeen. Andwhile she might have spent the last few years making herself exceptionally good at “magic,” she’d never performedmagicmagic. Never created something from thin air or lifted a book off the ground just by looking at it. Wasn’t that how it worked in the movies? Kids with magic accidentally set their parents’ oven on fire or blew up the mailbox of the neighbor they didn’t like?

These were the thoughts churning through her mind as Charlie lined up with the rest of the washers.

There were only seven of them. Abigail walked down the line, passing a clean, dry rag to each person in turn. Seven wasn’t nearly enough people to handle the huge line of cars waiting for a wash. Charlie could see panic building in Abigail’s eyes. But just behind it was that familiar fire, the focus and determination that ignited whenever her friend grabbed any set of reins.

As usual, it made Charlie both proud and somewhat terrified.

“We have to work fast,” Abigail said as she handed a rag to Jenny Huffman, a quiet senior who somehow always got roped into Abigail’s schemes. “We need money to fund the buses and the park passes for the trip this weekend. There are more than enough cars out there to get us to our goal, but because there are only seven of you, everyone will have to—”

“Eight,” called a new voice.

Charlie physically held in a groan.

Everyone turned to find Elias striding across the pavement, lopsided grin in place. “There will be eight of us.”

Charlie sighed, her head falling back. “Can’t I get at least five minutes away from you?”

“You’ve had five hours,” he said, throwing an arm over her shoulders as he took his place in line beside her. “Besides, we’re soulmates, babe. Soulmates can never stay apart for long.”

Charlie shoved his arm off her shoulders and looked at Abigail. Her friend’s lips were pursed tight. There was a very obvious argument happening inside her brain. When she glanced over, Charliewidened her eyes, begging silently for her to get rid of him. Abigail held her gaze for a few seconds before looking away.

“Fine,” Abigail said tightly. “But only because we’re short-staffed.”

“Traitors.” Charlie shook her dark hair. “I am surrounded by traitors on all sides.”

Abigail held out a rag to Elias. “Play nice.” When he reached out to take it from her, she yanked it back, just out of his reach. “And if I catch even awhiffof you trying to mess with my friend…”

Elias held up both hands. “Best behavior. I promise.”

Abigail narrowed her eyes at him but handed the rag over anyway.

“Wait,” said Jenny, looking between them. “Why are you acting mad at Elias? I thought him and Charlie were back together.”

“Oh, we are,” said Elias, throwing his arm over Charlie’s shoulders again and hugging her into his chest. “Don’t worry, Jenny. Charlotte and I are closer than ever.”

“I’m so glad you agreed to be my partner,” Elias said, strolling along beside Charlie after check-in. “It’s important that we take steps to mend our relationship, don’t you think?”

“You didn’t leave me much of a choice,” Charlie said, stepping around a huge bucket filled with soapy water. Her eyes were trained on the red Honda that they were assigned to first. It was parked beside the bleachers, in between two more buckets. “You practically grabbed me the minute Abigail finished debriefing us.”

“I would nevergraba woman,” he said, offended. “I’m a perfect gentleman. And besides”—when Charlie glanced over, she saw he was smirking—“they’re usually the ones grabbingme.”

Her eyes rolled so far back in her head that she was surprised she couldn’t see her own brain.

Remember your plan, she thought, exhaling her irritation.If youwant to learn his weaknesses, you have to make friends with him first. Not right away, but eventually. Start off cold, then pretend to warm up to him.

She could do this.

“So,” Elias said, tossing his rag over one shoulder. “We’re doing this for some sort of upperclassmen camping trip? One hundred and fifty teenagers doing keg stands in the woods? How isthatlegally sanctioned by the school board?”