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“I see,” I said neutrally. I wouldn’t offend Avery for the world, but mainly what I remembered was that the results of the spell he’d worked for Megan had been inconclusive. The big silver bowl Avery had filled with water had shown us all a pretty picture of the Witch Queen and her Blood Knight but it had lacked any accompanying explanation. After seeing it, Megan still hadn’t known if it was safe to be alone with Griffin or not.
Of course, in the end it turned out that he loved her and she was perfectly safe with him—well, as safe was anyone can be with a thirsty Nocturne who hasn’t been allowed a single drop of blood in fifteen years—but the True Heart Revealed Spell hadn’t really helped much at all.
So excuse me for not believing that this same spell had somehow shown Avery that Ari was a good guy who was just watching out for me rather than a rich royal jerk who wanted a laugh at my expense.
“Maybe you should give him another chance,” Avery suggested. “Maybe just talk to him?”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Avery, but I’m not comfortable with that.” I looked up at Griffin. “Thank you for standing by me and sending him away.”
He inclined his head silently and I remembered our talk the other night when he’d told me I was like a little sister to him. I appreciated that big brother protectiveness very much right about now. Of course, Avery was very protective of me too, but in this case I thought it might be possible that he was letting Ari’s good looks get in the way of his better judgment. Avery has always had a weak spot for big, handsome guys and Ari certainly qualified there.
“You don’t have to see him again if you don’t want to,” Emma said, squeezing my hand gently. “We’ll stand by you, whatever you decided to do.”
“And we’ll be keeping an eye on Nancy, too,” Megan said, frowning. “I don’t know what other nastiness she’s planned, but she’s not going to get away with any of it.”
“Thanks, guys.” I felt grateful all over again for the strength and warmth of our coven.
Little did I know that even their love couldn’t protect me from what was coming.
20
Kaitlyn
Despite its traumatic start, the rest of the week was surprisingly uneventful. I could feel Ari watching me, both in the classes we shared, and at mealtimes, but the big Drake didn’t try to approach me again, which was a relief. Or so I told myself.
We started the sewing unit in Home Ec and I taught Megan how to use a sewing machine. It was a good thing I already knew how because Mrs. Hornsby continued to treat us like we had deliberately poisoned her and would barely even speak to us. She just glared when either Megan or I tried to ask a question. So we did our best without her which, thanks to my mom being such a good teacher and seamstress herself, was actually fine.
Though I had to admit it was disconcerting to be taking a class from a woman who hated and distrusted me, I thought I might still be able to pass with enough attention to detail. I just hoped Mrs. Hornsby wouldn’t give Megan and me both an automatic F just because she disliked us so much.
Nancy and the Weird Sisters continued to serve and clean in the Cafeteria but I was used to seeing them there now. And if they really were planning something for me, they were careful to keep their plans to themselves and only sneered at me and my Coven-mates when they served our food onto the green plastic trays that were ubiquitous to the Dining Hall.
For my part, I could barely pay attention to Nancy, even if she was cooking up a scheme against me. My almost-cold had gotten worse and I felt so tired and chilly all the time I barely had energy enough to get my schoolwork done, let alone worry about the nasty bitch-witch and her crew.
I kept telling myself I would get over it—that if I could just get a good night’s sleep, I would feel better. But my dreams were filled with half-remembered nightmares—visions of huge, sail-like wings casting a black shadow over my body as I cowered helpless on the ground… and every day I woke feeling more tired than when I had gone to bed.
It didn’t help that I had little to no appetite. My Coven-mates noticed and worried about me and Avery even cooked another rare roast beef for me on Wednesday night—which did help a little. Though this time I found myself much more attracted to the bloody juices that came from the roast than the meat itself, I forced myself to eat it all. And, for a little while, I felt much better.
