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“When did you find time to study for this? You told me you were in bed all day yesterday.”
“I study in my bed. I find it relaxing.”
I shake my head. “Sin… I thought you were in pain.”
“I study when in pain, too.”
And I believe it. Knowing Sindri as I’m starting to, I realize he’s an expert in hiding pain, both physical and mental, and though his grin is genuine, I know he’s not sleeping well. He has dark rings under those pretty, star-studded eyes of his and he looks like he’s lost weight. He’s—
“Mr. Kassidy, where are you going?” The teacher’s voice holds a note of exasperation. “I don’t think I’ve heard the bell yet.”
Jason is walking to the door, his backpack slung over one shoulder. “Sorry, Ms. Nierling.”
“Jason Kassidy, come back here.”
But he only throws the door open and leaves the classroom.
Oh, Jason…I long to go after him, but he’s made it quite clear he doesn’t want me around. Since my cousin’s appearance two days ago, every time I’ve tried to approach him he’s turned his back.
Okay, it’s true, I lied about being a real Apollinari, a real witch. I lied about not having a secret agenda, and all right, my goal had been to harm them.
And maybe it takes more time and effort than this to convince someone that my intentions have changed, that I’ve realized a few things along the way, but…
“Why is everyone distracted today?” The teacher walks among the desks, glancing right and left. “Is there a party coming up tonight I wasn’t told about?”
I glance at Sindri and he shrugs, averting his gaze.
“Oh. Right.” The teacher nods. “Looks like there is.”
Really?He didn’t tell me. It may be his way of keeping me from going, protecting me from myself. He knows I’ll try to talk to my cousin and the other two boys.
How can I let go, though? And how can Sindri not care? I thought a bond had formed between them, betweenus, in these past weeks. We did things together—held each other up, took care of each other, heck, even lay in bed together during… sex and things.
Totally not going here.
Point is, you let go of things that don’t matter, that didn’t mark you. You don’t let go of people you care about.
Thatmuch I know.
“I’m going.” I pull on the long dress with the slit up one leg and pull the zipper closed.
“Not that I don’t like seeing you dressed up in sexy clothes…” Sindri licks his lips absently, his gaze on my body. “But is it a good idea?”
“I have to talk to Ophelia.”
What I don’t tell him is that Jason had given me the dress. It was in the package he gave me. I hope seeing it will jolt him, convince him to talk to me.
“You can talk to her another time,” he says. “You know parties are wild here, and Emrys’ gang is wilder than ever—”
“Why?” I whirl around to face him. “Is Emrys okay?”
“I… think? Haven’t seen him around.”
Worry is like an iron band around my chest. I turn back to the mirror—not Sindri’s mirror but my own very unmagical mirror to tweak a strand of my hair into place. “And I have to talk to the guys.”
“Mia—”
“We also have to consider Ash.” I look at Sindri through the glass. “Have you seen him today?”
