Page 55 of Rewitched

Okay, maybe she did say that. “At least I’m doing something about it now, though, aren’t I? And I’ve got a guy who dresses like a retro vampire hiding in the dark and following me around for the pleasure of it.”

The pair walked on in silence, both angrily picking chips off the top of the pile as they went.

“Not that you’ll care, seeing as I’m too afraid and a waste of time and magic—”

“I did not say that.” He rolled his eyes.

“But I should probably let you know about a weird thing that happened with protection circles. Seeing as you’re supposed to be keeping an eye on things.”

“Any more specific information than that?” he asked with a gesture for her to continue.

She felt reluctant to tell him something that probably just revealed her lack of talent yet again. “Artorius had me practicing protection circles in our Incantation lesson, and they wouldn’t stick. Probably nothing, but—”

“What do you mean ‘they wouldn’t stick’?” Rune had stopped walking now, tugging Belle’s sleeve to bring her to a standstill.

She raised her gaze to meet his, which had turned intent and concerned. “They wouldn’t stick. The protection circles. I could conjure them for a moment, but they kept cutting out. Like something was preventing me from being protected.”

“And you’re only telling me this now? Belle, I’m your bloody watchman. Why didn’t you tell me this the moment we started talking?”

“Because I was busy returning my heart rate to a normal level after you emerged from the shadows like a sewer rat. And then you conjured chips, and we’ve been arguing ever since.”

“We’re not arguing.”

“Well, I certainly am. That means you are, too.”

He growled with exasperation. “You are impossible. Just for future reference, any signs of mortal danger—even mild PG-certified peril, come to think of it—should be discussed first in our conversations.”

“Mortal danger? That seems a bit much. It’s just a spell glitch, probably my lack of ability more than anything,” she said uncertainly.

“Maybe but maybe not. And I’m not risking your safety. Belle, normally I would have sensed something like that in a heartbeat. Broken protection spells? Rudimentary stuff, I can sense threats like that in my sleep. But I didn’t feel a thing…Something isn’t right here.” He was rambling crossly, almost to himself. “Let me check the reports more thoroughly, ask around at Hecate House, see if anyone has any prior experience of failed protection.”

“Don’t go shouting it from the rooftops, okay? I don’t want everyone thinking I’m failing. I’m doing fine.”

“Will you give me some credit, Belle, please? I’m only in this for you.”

She frowned.

He coughed, noting his wording. “Only here to help you, I mean.”

Belle nodded reluctantly, shooting him a sly glance and finding that his eyes were still firmly fixed on her. They returned to walking quietly side by side, the early light leaking over them in silver and pink. She contemplated reassuring him with the news of the Praesentia Pretego enchantment from her grandmother, but it felt too private, too intimate for now.

“Nothing like the mention of mortal peril to make the conversation die,” Belle said instead.

“Mortal peril aside, it’s less than three weeks till Halloween,” Rune noted, nodding his chin up towards the waxing moon that hung alongside the rising sun. “Do you feel as though you’re seeing progress?”

“Sure. I mean, I think so. I’ve surprised myself so far.”

“You shouldn’t be surprised. You’re gifted,” Rune said matter-of-factly.

Belle’s eyebrows shot up, taken aback. “Thanks, although I think that’s pushing it.”

“You don’t need to thank me. It’s not so much a compliment as a fact. I liked your manifests, most of them…Some questionable decisions, but the base magic was strong. You’re capable of anything you want to do.”

Their shadows stretched out long and thin under the burning of the golden streetlights, scattered leaves dappling the picture. They both wrapped their coats tighter in unison.

“Also,” he eventually spoke again, as though daring himself to continue, “not that you care about my opinion, as you’ve made crystal clear, but…you’re not a disappointment. Or unworthy of anything,” he said, his usual confidence cracking to something altogether more interesting. His eyes stayed firmly locked straight ahead.

Something alarmingly close to chemistry flickered like a bolt between them. It had been a while, but she couldn’t mistake that feeling.