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Yeah, Astrid, I thought acidly. Lose your virginity for spite. There’s nothing more witchlike than that.
I followed behind Rook, scowling at the ground. This wasn’t how school was supposed to go. I was supposed to make friends, start dating, and become the best witch I could be. Instead, I was tired, lonely, a hex-magnet, and likely to flunk out before the end of first year, and the only guy I was interested in seemed to hate my guts.
We were within spitting distance of the dorms before Rook spoke again. He was keeping a few steps ahead of me, face turned upward to watch the night sky. This far away from civilization, the stars studded the sky, undimmed by light pollution. The half-moon provided enough light to navigate by as we wound our way to one of the side entrances.
“Janeth,” he said softly. “I haven’t heard that name in decades. We thought she’d been killed during the last Blood War. She was supposed to have been executed for her crimes.”
“Well, she wasn’t. My Aunt Celestine must have helped her escape.”
“Why would your witch aunt help Janeth, a vampire?”
I shrugged. “Because Celestine was working with Janeth.”
“That doesn’t sound right.”
I frowned at him. “Celestine had been feeding undesirables to Janeth for years, including Maverick and me. If he hadn’t been there, I...”
My voice failed me. I’d had too many nightmares about exactly what might have happened. Janeth had taken sadistic pleasure in tearing into my brother, but she wouldn’t have bothered if he hadn’t posed a threat to her. If I’d been alone, the coven wouldn’t have gotten there in time. Wanda would have found Janeth crouching over my still-warm corpse. And then I’d have woken up three days later, confused and tied by blood to a maniac. And even if Wanda had somehow managed to kill the crazy bitch, I’d have been cast adrift in a world I knew nothing about, sans magic. I could handle losing my magic if it were purely my choice (and I couldn’t imagine ever making said choice), but to be robbed of it... no. That was something I wouldn’t have been able to cope with.
“I’m sorry,” Rook said as we approached the front door and I couldn’t hide my surprise. I didn’t imagine he was someone who apologized often. “I had no clue.”
“Most people don’t,” I said with a shrug. “Witches don’t like to let that sort of thing get out. One of our own was betraying us, and the majority of covens are trying to pretend it never happened.”
“Regardless,” he said and that icy set to his expression was back. “I’m going to give you some advice: vampires don’t like witches. Witches don’t like vampires and it doesn’t matter if your own kind have rejected you—in a vampire’s eyes, you’re still a witch.”
“And in your eyes?” I asked, narrowing mine at him.
“You’re a witch,” he finished, glaring at me.
“Then I guess we aren’t friends,” I threw the words back at him.
“No, we aren’t,” he responded as he took a step closer to me and I had to crane my neck to look up at him. “So, keep your flirtation to yourself.”
“My flirtation?” I started, feeling heat starting in my fists. Just who in the hell did this pompous bastard think he was?
He nodded. “There are those who’d react even more poorly than I did. Stay on your side of the equation. Stay a witch. And just stay away from me. I am not going to be your vampire toy.”
“Whoever said I wanted you to be my vampire toy?” I asked tightly.
“It was implied.”
“Was it?” I laughed, but then didn’t give him a chance to continue. “I can make it the rest of the way from here.” I continued glaring at him. “And for the record?” I paused and took a deep breath. “I wasn’t flirting with you.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true but at this point, I just wanted to save whatever face I could manage.
Rook gave me an expression that said he didn’t believe me, then gave me one last, appraising look before he turned and walked back the way he’d come. I stayed standing where I was until he’d disappeared into the shadows, ignoring the very un-witchlike desire to cry. He wasn’t worth the tears. But being rejected yet again... it hurt. None of this was turning out how it was supposed to.
No matter, I wasn’t going to give up.
In just a few short minutes I’d march up to Vivian’s door, present her with her cupcakes, and be laughed at. Then I’d crawl back to my dingy little room beside the kitchen, I’d force myself to go to sleep and then I’d wake up in an hour or two, and start the miserable process all over again.
I waited until the desire to cry passed and then turned to the dorms, steeling myself for what was coming, then I marched on. Depraysie witches didn’t surrender to petty, vindictive bitches like Vivian, and they most certainly didn’t get told off by grumpy vampires like Rook.
Somehow, some way, I was going to make that man eat his words, at the very least.
Chapter Ten
The next week carried on in a similar fashion.
I’d wake up, work, and arrive to class with only minutes to spare. Then after lectures, I’d return to the kitchen to clean the day’s dishes, go back to my room with smarting fingers, do my homework, sleep, and start all over again.
