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Summer

“ C on?”

“Babe?” He sounds frantic, and I can hear the panic in his voice. “Are you okay? Where are you?”

Leaning against the wall, I close my eyes. “I’m fine, big guy. I lost my phone.”

“Where are you? Alice and I are coming.”

“I’ll meet you at my dorm.”

Connor exhales. “Babe? You’re… all right?”

It takes work to keep my voice even. “I’m okay, Con.” I don’t know how much longer I can keep this from him, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain why I’m covered in cuts and bruises. Would it be kinder to lie to him rather than put him through the worry he’ll feel knowing the truth?

“She’s okay?” I hear Alice ask him.

“She’s okay. She’s going to meet us at the dorm. We’re almost there, babe.”

My muscles groan as I push off the wall. “I’ll be there soon, big guy.” I end the call and start the hike across campus.

The gray sky is heavy with clouds. It’s as if the weather is reflecting the grimness of the day. I round the corner of Kelpie Hall and slam into a solid wall of muscle. Connor’s scent surrounds me at the same time as his arms enfold me in warmth. I inhale deeply and melt against him, dismissing the discomfort of the cuts and bruises as he squeezes me.

“Fuck, you scared me,” he whispers into my ear. He cups my thighs and lifts me against him. I wrap myself around him and bury my face into his neck, plunging my fingers into his golden hair.

“I’m okay, big guy.”

He nuzzles his face into my hair and inhales. “Where were you?”

“It’s a long story.”

Connor carries me up to the dorm, and Alice is on me the second he steps through the door. She wraps her arms around me from behind. “Fuck, Summer.”

I untangle myself from Connor and turn in his arms, pulling Alice into a proper hug. Connor keeps his arms around me as if scared to let me go.

“Where did you go, Summer? And why are you covered in blood?” Alice asks, obviously still very anxious.

Connor pulls back and really looks me over. “Fuck, Summer. What happened?”

I pull away from them, feeling selfish but also needing a little space. I try to cover myself, but my uniform is so ruined it doesn’t do much.

Connor follows me, refusing to let me put distance between us. Alice and Connor share a grave look before she nods once. Her eyes soften when they meet mine, and I can feel her love and concern permeate me. She holds my gaze a moment longer, before turning and disappearing into her room. Connor brushes my hands away and crouches to look closer at my wounds. “Babe.”

“Con, it’s fine.”

He tenses, feeling my withdrawal, but he continues to look over the thousands of cuts and gashes that decorate my skin. “What happened?” he asks.

“It was wild magic. It’ll be fine in a week or so.”

Connor stands up, staying close but allowing me a little bit of space. “Where did you see wild magic?”

“I was in the forest,” I reply honestly.

As if he can’t help it, he moves in closer, cupping my cheek. “Alone? Why?”

“I–I needed some air.”

Connor presses his forehead to mine. “You call me next time.”

I nod. “I’m sorry.” The words are a barely audible whisper.

He slips his arms around me. “Alice said there was another murder, and then we couldn’t find you, and I?—”

I brush my lips over his, stopping him.

He pulls back, his eyes full of tears. “I couldn’t… If something had happened to you?—”

I cover his lips with my fingers. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m here, and I’m fine.”

“It could have been you.” A tear slides down his cheek.

Connor scoops me up and carries me through to my room. He closes the door, needing some privacy with me. He sits on the bed, and I wrap my arms around him, kissing all over his face. I brush the tears away, trying to reassure him I’m still here and I’m okay.

Connor’s breaths are shaky, and he’s clearly still panicked. I gently grab his face, making him look into my eyes. He focuses on me. His eyes are still a little glassy, and in them, I can practically see what he sees. He is imagining Gia’s body, but it’s me instead.

I lean in, kissing him softly at first but allowing it to build. He doesn’t kiss me back immediately, but as he relaxes, he deepens the kiss. I flick his tongue with mine, letting him taste me, grounding and keeping him with me in this reality where things aren’t perfect, but they’re better than they are in the one he’s imagining. We spend long moments just kissing and touching each other, healing each other.

Connor brushes his nose against mine. “You scared me so bad.”

I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to his. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“We should get you bandaged up.”

I shake my head. “Not now. I just want to be like this with you for a while.” The cuts sting and throb, but I can’t bear to remove the pain right now. It feels like I deserve it.

“Headmaster Emrys needs to know,” Connor says, squeezing me.

“I’ve seen him already. I went there straight after it happened. That’s why I was delayed.”

Connor exhales in relief, and then his stomach rumbles loudly.

I pull back, my lips twitching. “Hungry, big guy?”

Connor blushes. “I missed lunch because I was freaking out.”

I nuzzle my cheek against his. “Let’s order dinner.”

Connor grabs his phone and starts scrolling through the options. “What do you fancy?”

The thought of any food right now turns my stomach, but Connor needs to eat. “Anything, big guy.”