Page 29 of The Human’s Heart

“Um, because you’re the best student in the whole nursing program—everyone always talks about that—and you’re, well, you know.”

I shook my head in confusion. Sure, I had top grades, but I didn’t know it was like a known thing to the other students. That made me feel… weird.

But also… you know. What the hell did that mean?

“Uh, no, I don’t know.”

She scoffed. “Uh, you’re obviously gorgeous. Everyone always talks about that too.”

“They do?” That was news to me and also made me feel weird and kind of unsure.

“Duh. You’re, like, Mr. Popular, so you have to know everyone thinks you’re hot.”

My nose scrunched up before I could stop it. “No, I’m not… to either of those things.”

What the hell was she talking about? I didn’t really hang out with anyone outside of school, and when I went to those study groups, I mostly stuck to myself. Honestly, before Hugo came around, I’d been lonely and had spent all of my spare time volunteering. And even when I’d had a minute, I’d stayed home to read or watch TV. I’d been a pretty big loner my entire life.

I didn’t think I’d even gone to a single college party since I started here.

“Huh. Sorry, I guess I just assumed that by the way everyone always talks about you. I didn’t mean to offend you.” She cringed. “Like I said, I talk too much when I’m nervous.”

I waved her away again. I could tell she really was nervous, and I didn’t think she was trying to upset me or anything. “No worries. Let me introduce you to a few people before we leave today. I’m not in charge of the study group or anything, but I’m sure they’ll love to have you.”

“Thank you. You have no idea what a relief that is. You’ll be at the next one, right?”

I blinked. She really did talk fast, and a lot, and I wasn’t used to it. “Uh, maybe.”

She grabbed my arm. “Pleeeaaaase? I’ll feel weird not knowing anyone there.”

I wanted to point out that she didn’t know me either, that we’d just met literal minutes ago, but I wasn’t an ass, so I left it. “I’m not sure. I have to see if I’m free.”

She gave my arm a squeeze, and for some reason, I got chills. Not the good kind. “Oh, come on. You need to study too, right?”

“I mean, yeah.” A strange shudder went through me, and I tugged on my arm.

She released it, giving me a sheepish look and a pat. “Sorry about that. Will you still come?”

She wasn’t wrong that I needed to study. Badly. “I’ll let you know tomorrow for sure, but yeah, probably.”

She let out a little happy squeal and grabbed onto my arm again, wrapping herself around it like we were a couple or something. It was making me uncomfortable.

Not because she was really doing anything wrong or doing anything to purposefully make me uncomfortable. It was just that…

Well, some people were… more susceptible to my incubus magic, and I was pretty sure that was what was happening to her. Sometimes my magic made people want to be close to me, to touch me, to do… other things with me. And knowing that was the reason she kept grabbing my arm only made me feel more icky. I hated messing with a person’s emotions against their will. I hated that I didn’t always have control over it. There was nothing I could do at this point. My magic was as locked up as it could possibly be.

I hated that this girl was so clingy and it was just… a part of my nature that I could do nothing about.

“Are you okay, Zay?” Hugo’s voice in my head was a welcome reprieve.

“Yeah, I’m alright. There’s just a very, uh, friendly woman trying to convince me to come to a study group tomorrow evening.”

There was a very long pause. “Is she nice?” His emotions felt all jumbled up, and I was pretty sure he was fighting back jealousy. It kind of made me want to smile.

“I think so…? But we just met, so I’m not sure.”

“Why do you feel so… I dunno, weird? Uncomfortable?”

I held in a sigh and let the woman lead me into our lab. “You know how I said some people get sort of… spelled around me?”