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“Oh—what a horrible idea!” Kaitlyn exclaimed, her one visible eye wide.
“Exactly,” Avery said, nodding. “It would take a true monster to do such a thing. The question is, is Darkheart really the monster he pretends to be or not?”
“You told me he was,” I pointed out. “You said he was being Censured by the Council and that he was bad news.”
“Yes, and I stand by all of that,” Avery said. “But the truth is, we don’t know the details behind his Censure or the contents of his heart.”
“Could the True Heart Revealed spell show us, though?” I asked. “Because I would really like to get some answers from him, but it makes me extremely nervous to think of being alone with him in the wilderness somewhere.”
“Well, if by his place he means the Darkheart mansion, then you don’t need to worry about the wilderness,” Avery remarked. “It’s that big place on Kings Street. You know—the white Victorian mansion with all the trim and scalloping that looks like a giant wedding cake?”
“Oh, I know that place!” Kaitlyn exclaimed. “It’s just down the street from the Breedlove’s house. Is that where Griffin lives?”
Avery shrugged. “Well, it’s where his family lives, anyway. I heard his father and mother turned their backs on him when he was Censured by the Council and his father said he never wanted to see him again. But in a house that big, he could still live in one part and they could live in another and never see each other. So there’s that.”
“But can you do the spell for Megan to find out if it’s safe for her to meet with him?” Emma asked.
“Why don’t the three of us just come with her?” Kaitlyn asked. “There’s strength in numbers.”
“Strength but not answers,” I said dryly. “The minute he sees you three, he’ll clam up for sure. He didn’t expressly say it but I got the very strong feeling that he’s only willing to talk if we have privacy.”
“I don’t like that,” Emma said frowning. “He shouldn’t be able to dictate to you that way, Megan! Ask him questions anyway—if he can’t lie to you, he’ll have to answer!”
I had to admit I had thought about that myself. But I had the feeling that forcing answers from Griffin was the worst thing I could do. The key between my breasts—still a secret from my coven-mates—throbbed in agreement.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I told her reluctantly. “Griffin doesn’t seem like someone who can be forced to do or say anything. Or if he was forced, I don’t think I’d enjoy the consequences.”
“You certainly would not,” Avery said emphatically. “All right, we can work the spell tomorrow night.”
“What? Why not tonight?” Kaitlyn said eagerly. Clearly she and Emma were dying to know Griffin’s true feelings for me. I had to admit, I was pretty curious myself.
“We can’t tonight because I need a hair from his head to do the spell,” Avery said, frowning. He looked at me hopefully. “Unless you already have one?”
I shook my head. “Sorry, no. But I’m sure I can get one tomorrow.” I thought of how close he’d sat beside me in English class and a little shiver went down my spine. Surely I could get a hair from his head if he did that again. But God, did I want him to do it again? To sit so close and put his arm around me and whisper in my ear in that cool, velvety voice of his?
I didn’t even have to think about it. I wanted it all right—wanted to be close to him again like that—badly. It was almost like my body was craving him, like a drug. Which made no sense but I couldn’t seem to help it.
“All right,” Avery said, breaking into my fever dreams of having Griffin’s arms around me again. “Get a hair from him tomorrow while he’s playing the gallant escort and we’ll cast The True Heart Revealed after dinner.”
“Let’s hope it’s a better dinner than this one,” Kaitlyn sighed, poking at her tray. She looked at Avery hopefully. “Do you have anything planned for tonight?”
“I thought we’d have a camp-out in the common room,” Avery said, grinning. “You know—roast hotdogs on sticks over the fire and then maybe finish up with smores?”
“That sounds awesome!” Emma exclaimed and then her face fell. “Oh, but I have to work tonight.” She sighed. “Well, at least I’m not working tomorrow night so I can watch Avery cast his spell.”
“I’m afraid we’ll all just be watching,” I said glumly. “Since I still can’t get my magic to work in any, uh, conventional way.”
“Don’t give up, Princess Latimer,” Avery said, shaking a finger at me. “We all know it’s in there and we know it’s strong. You just have to find a way to reach it without using the nuclear option.”
