Page 66 of Slayer

Luna suddenly skidded to a stop, and I used the opportunity to drop my bags and rub circulation back into my fingers, flexing them until the sting faded.

“Be still, my beating heart,” Luna whispered as she gazed at someone across the lawn.

“What?” I asked as Harper grinned beside her.

“Byron Mortenson. Luna has been low-key obsessed since sixth grade.”

Luna seemed to have completely checked out of the conversation as she gazed wistfully at a dark-haired guy rolling across the cobblestone pathway on a skateboard, duffel in hand, wheels rattling over the stones. He had the whole baggy pants, wallet chain, ’90s skater look going on.

“Luna Mortenson.” Luna sighed, cocking her head to the side as I tried to keep from bursting into laughter. I’d never been so into a guy that I imagined taking his name. It was cute.

I was about to ask how many children they planned on having when Byron skidded to a stop before a tall, redheaded, artsy-looking chick.

Luna sucked in a breath and held it as Byron planted a really long kiss on her lips.

Oh.

Luna looked away as if the mere sight caused her unbearable pain. “Chloe is a nice girl,” she said almost to herself.

Harper winced. “Byron and Chloe have been dating three years.”

“I should have just asked him to the Frost Fall Gala freshman year like I planned,” Luna moaned.

“Frost Fall Gala?” I asked as the girls began their walk again. I heaved both of my bags, nearly toppling over with the weight, and limped after them with my off-balance load.

“It’s a dance at our old high school where the girls ask the guys. Luna lost her nerve asking Byron freshman year, so we went together.”

“And by sophomore year, he was taken,” Luna said regretfully, shaking her head.

“Only high school? Good, because I hate dances,” I told them.

They both gave me a conspiratorial side glance, concealing grins.

“Oh, but the academy has something even better. It’s called the Bloodmoon masquerade.”

We reached the busy cobblestone path, and my fingers gave out. I dropped the leather duffel, nearly tripping over it.

“Oh, Stella, want some help?” Harper asked as I shook out my hand. It had gone numb. These books were heavy!

“I got it,” a familiar male voice said as Asher swooped in and scooped up both of my duffel bags like they were made of feathers.

“I—” I started, but he was already walking to the girls’ dormitory.

Harper and Luna shared a look and a smile and took off after him.

Dang it!

I jogged to catch up. “I can get them,” I told Asher as I tried to pry one out of his fingers.

He held the bags with a viselike grasp and peered sideways at me. “I’ve been watching you struggle across the entire lawn. Surprised your fingers are still attached to your hand.”

I rolled my eyes, tucking my purple fingers into my pockets. “Fine, you want to be my bag bellhop, go ahead.”

Show-off. Carrying those bags like they were empty!

“Excited to get your hunter runes?” Asher asked Harper and Luna.

They both nodded. “My mom said she was meeting with the guild on a plan for you and the others who didn’t qualify. Hopefully it won’t be too long,” Harper told him.