Page 39

As I walked out of biology and made my way to my car, my head was swimming with theories. I knew one thing for sure: Nik and Puck would need to come clean or handle this situation on their own. If Fletcher had shown up at school pretending to be a substitute, what else would he do to get what he wanted?

Tess and I made the drive through town as it started to snow, big thick snowflakes hitting the windshield and turning to slush. Tess changed into her barista uniform in the car so she could walk straight to her shift at The Daily Drip from the bakery. I parked the car right in front of the bakery as the snow started to stick to the road. Just what we needed…more snow.

We hopped out and quickly scurried inside, anxious to be out of the blistering cold and wind. The weather hadn’t called for a snowstorm today, and I hoped it was a passing squall. The bell chimed as we opened the door and scanned the bakery. Nik and Puck weren’t here yet.

“You were right Diana, this place is adorable,” Tess admired as I grabbed a table by the back wall. Tess got us hot chocolates at the counter and joined me, passing me the warm mug. As Tess reached her hand out to the back of her chair to pull it out from the table, the chair quickly scooted backwards and slammed into her hand of its own accord. Tess’ eyes snapped up to mine.

“Did you do that?” she asked, her brow creased.

“No, I didn’t.” I shook my head. “Did…you?”

“I—I don’t know,” she admitted, pulling the chair back and sitting down. Tess stared into the hot chocolate mug with a confused expression as I took a long sip of mine and watched her thoughtfully. Did Tess have magic? Or had that been my magic reaching out and I hadn’t even known it?

Tess shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and settled back into her chair. The snow was falling in thick, heavy clusters, obscuring our view of the street from the storefront window. It was quickly turning into a blizzard outside, the wind whipping the flags on the lampposts back and forth angrily. If I didn’t head home soon, I might get stuck here. My car was reliable, but it didn’t do well once the snow had entirely covered the roads and became a slippery nightmare.

The bells chimed as the door opened and I lifted my head to see Nik and Puck walking towards us.

“Nice of you to join us,” Tess said in a clipped tone.

Nik pulled out the chair next to me and sat on it backwards. Puck grabbed the chair next to Tess. “Always a pleasure,” Nik responded, giving Tess a deadpan stare. What was his problem with her, anyway?

“Now, what’s the emergency, love?” Puck asked, wrapping his arm around the back of Tess’ chair.

“While you were off skipping school, we had ourselves a little visitor in art class today,” I told them, crossing my arms defensively.

“A visitor?” Nik asked with an arched brow. “It’s a bit late for Santa Claus, don’t you think?”

“I’m being serious,” I replied, giving his big black boot a swift kick under the table.

“Ok, ok,” he replied, palms out, “who was this mysterious visitor?”

“Fletcher,” I spit out, sitting back in my chair.

Nik’s eyes shot to Puck’s quickly before he focused back on me. “You’re telling me that Fletcher was in art class?” he asked, a note of suspicion in his voice.

“I am telling you that Mr. Fletcher Price is our new substitute teacher for the foreseeable future. Ms. Finch is out on leave.” He exchanged a knowing glance with Puck, as if they were having a silent conversation with only their eyes. “Why would he be coming to our school?” I asked.

“Probably to keep an eye on me.” Nik shrugged. “Puck and I already worked it out, and it’s almost handled.”

“Almostisn’t quite good enough. He said that if whatever it is the two of you have gotten yourselves into isn’t handled by the end of the week…there will be collateral damage.” I rubbed a hand down my face. “He threatened me.”

Nik’s eyes were dark as he glanced down, his teeth grinding together.

“He should never have threatened you, and I promise you it will not happen again.”

“How can you promise me that? You weren’t even in school today.” My voice cracked, betraying me. My whole world had already turned upside down when I found out about the existence of magic. Now I was being dragged into whatever beef these two had with Fletcher—who was a shapeshifter with a pack of witches behind him. Nik might be an incredibly strong witch, but Fletcher had a bunch of witches loyal to him alone. Nik only had Puck.

“Firecracker, did you miss me?” He nudged my knee with his, a sinful smirk across his lips. “You did, didn’t you? You don’t have to answer…I know you did,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood. Puck laughed across from us while Tess held onto her stern expression. Ihadmissed him today, but that was beside the point. I didn’t want to see Fletcher without Nik there; I wasn’t strong enough to protect myself yet. I needed more time. I needed more practice with my magic.

“I’ll be there, he won’t touch you,” Nik assured me.

“Too bad he already did…” Tess murmured under her breath, casting her eyes down at the table. I thought only I had heard her.

“What was that?” Nik stiffened beside me.

Tess swallowed hard before meeting his eyes. “He was super creepy. He leaned in and pushed her hair back…” Tess admitted, thinking about how uncomfortable the situation had been.

Nik’s eyes shot back to mine, his expression murderous. His eyes traveled over my hair, as if to make sure not a strand was out of place before he reached over and grabbed a lock between his own fingertips.