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Summer

A lice emerges from her room as Connor and I enter the living room. She cautiously pulls off her headphones and eyes us warily. “Is the decathlon over?”

Connor grins and kisses me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod and wave, waiting for the front door to close behind him before wandering into the kitchen. I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water, taking a deep drink.

“So…” Alice begins, shifting from foot to foot. I pause mid-drink and look at her, one eyebrow raised. I may not have known Alice for very long, but I know her well enough. She’s about to tell me something very bad, probably chaotic or dangerous, but more than likely both. “I did something in my room during your sex sprint. You know how we’re basically trapped in our dorm room? Well, I thought maybe I should redecorate.” Alice’s eyes brighten a little as they always do when she’s planning something mischievous. “But then I needed more space. So, I… tried to create some.”

I try not to choke on my water. She didn’t… “Alice, please tell me you didn’t use a rune…”

Alice blinks and then points a slim finger at me. “Listen, shush, you.”

She stalks to her door and pushes it open. I cautiously take a few steps closer, my mouth dropping open. “So… a rune then,” I say, turning in a small circle to take in the massive hall she created inside her room.

“Listen, I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of vampire.”

I shake my head. “Not with runes, you’re not. They’re very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.” My mind starts working on how to undo this, but I’m not sure which rune she used, so countering it will be challenging. Before I can undo the spatial rune, I’ll need to make a rune to give the room a limit. She’s created a limitless space and could easily get lost in here forever.

I sigh. “I’ll fix it.”

“Or…” she draws out the word, “we could throw a party without breaking suspension.”

My lips twitch, and I consider for a moment. The rune to limit the area forms perfectly in my mind, sparks flicking off it. “Fuck, yeah.”

I cut my thumb with my dagger and draw the rune onto the door, the room beyond creaking and rattling. After a series of loud clunks, walls slam into place, and the endless room ceases. The rune on the door glows brightly before turning a shimmering iridescent. My brow furrows, and I trace the curving loops of the spell. What language is that?

“Yours,” that voice whispers in my head. I yank my hand back, my lip curling, tempted to rub the rune away. Fuck Daoine Sith, and fuck the fae.

“Let’s do it. That prick Fergus is blacklisted.”

Alice nods. “How are we going to get the word out?”

Alice taps her chin, thinking for a moment. “If only we knew the most popular guy in school…” She gives me a pointed look. I roll my eyes but pull my phone out.

Summer

So I need a favor and in return you’ll get to attend the biggest rager this school has ever seen.

The three dots immediately start jumping on the screen as he types his reply.

Connor

That’s a tall order. What’s the favor?

Summer

I need you to (discreetly) get the word out that we’re having a party in our dorm on Friday night.

“I’d better start conjuring things! We’re so behind!” Alice says, throwing her hands up and starting to pace.

“Maybe leave the conjuring to me. Otherwise, we’ll end up with a forty-foot stone lion, a pair of wooden clogs, and a toilet seat.”

Alice hisses at me, obviously not in the mood for my teasing. “Maybe that’s the vibe I’m going for. You never know.”

Connor

In your dorm? Isn’t it a little small?

“I’ll conjure stuff. Or better yet, I’ll tutor you!” I say. Alice grimaces, and I look back at my phone, texting Connor back.

Summer

Don’t ask. Alice was playing with space manipulation runes, and she’s an opportunist.

Connor

Almighty, is she insane?

Summer

Absolutely.

Alice wanders into her room, typing out a list of what she wants us to conjure for the party.

Connor

I’m going to ask for something in return.

I quirk a brow, watching the three little dots jump.

Connor

I want you in my jersey for the game in two weeks. And my name on your cheeks.

My lips twitch.

Summer

Deal.

Connor

Good. I’ve let Zach and Zane know. They’ll sort it.

Summer

Perhaps I should wear their jerseys. One of my cheeks could say Zach”the other Zane.

Connor

Hilarious. Goodnight succubus.

Summer

Goodnight, big guy.