Page 53 of Echoes of the Banshee

“Adora,” I growl. Daddy raises an eyebrow. “I think the bracelet is failing.”

“That isn’t possible. It’s worked for over ten years,” he argues.

“She doesn’t do anything I tell her to. She has friends now, Daddy. She went on a date with Zair!” My voice climbs, too high and too fast.

“Zair Brennan?” Daddy’s eyes light up. Of course they do. He’s always gone for older women and younger men. When I land Zair, he’ll get a new plaything.

“Daddy, I’m serious.” I fold my arms and glare at him, hating how I sound like a brat.

“It will be more fun when we break them,” he says, soothing. “Now, what’s his weakness?”

“He thinks witches are manipulative.”

Daddy smiles, slow and proud.

“That you are, dear. That you are.”

Thea

Don’t Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

It seems that Anita being my sister hasn’t scared Zair off. Monday, while we’re warming up for Combat Magic Coach announces that we’re doing hand-to-hand combat.

“Partners?” Zair asks as we finish our stretches.

“I can work with Mavrik,” I offer.

He raises an eyebrow.

“We’re not wearing sleeves,” I explain.

He looks more confused.

“I will touch you,” I clarify.

“Oh.”

I start to stand, but his hand is suddenly in front of me, offered palm up. An invitation. A challenge. A choice. Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow.

“Need a hand?”

Even after learning Anita is my sister, he’s choosing to have skin-to-skin contact. His biggest rule. He knows I’m good at curses. Is it because he thinks I’m too weak to hurt him. Or that he trusts me not to. I hesitate for a second, then slowly place my hand in his. His fingers close around mine with surprising warmth. He pulls me to my feet, and for a moment, neither of us lets go. My traitorous heart races. It’s just that he trusts me, that’s all. Not that he touched me. Not that he’s still touching me.

We spar, circling each other, each step a test of balance and nerve. He feints left, then reaches out and catches my arm in a grip like iron. I pivot, dragging him with me, and slam my elbow into his gut. The breath whooshes out of him, and for a heartbeat I think I’ve got him — until he twists, using his weight to pull me down. My back hits the mat, his silhouette blotting out the lights. I buck and twist, muscles burning, but he leans in close, breath warm against my ear.

“Got ya.”

We scramble up, both of us breathing hard, sweat starting to trickle down my spine. We go again. Same result. Me flat on the mat, his weight pressing me down until I’m forced to yield. After Zair pins me for the third time, Coach passes, glancing between us. “That all you got Thea?”

This time I fight with every tool I have. I catch him off-guard, using a burst of force to topple him, and suddenly I’m the one on top, knees planted on either side of his ribs as I grin down at him.

The look in his eyes isn’t defeat. It’s something else entirely. Something that makes my stomach dip. I hop off him fast, like the mat’s burned me. Then, before I can think too much about it, I do it again.

We walk to our dorms in silence, his stride sharp and quick, jaw tight like he’s chewing on something he can’t spit out. Not that I could say anything either. I don’t think either of us realized what dropping that barrier would do. I’m all too aware of every inch of skin he touched. I strip and step into the shower. Turn the water to cold and scold myself. I have a mate. I love him. This… this is normal. It’s been months since I’ve been with someone. It’s natural to get turned on when a hot guy pins you to the floor and breathes against your neck.

Shit.

I turn the shower colder. If I wasn’t short on time I’d relieve the pressure…