Page 103 of Spark of Sorcery

“Let’s go talk to him,” Fly suggests.

“I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll think of something,” Fly says, not releasing her arm and dragging her towards the boy’s table.

I watch transfixed from the safety of our table, both cringing on Clare’s behalf and willing her forward. Fly begins the conversation and at first Clare shuffleson her feet, her face the color of a tomato, saying very little. But the boy she likes smiles at her with genuine affection and soon she’s speaking, in fact she’s so engrossed in her conversation she doesn’t notice Fly slip away.

He returns to the table with a triumphant little bow.

“Wowsers,” I mutter, “that was quick work.”

“I know,” he says. “I’m blessed with the art of small talk. It’s a talent.”

“And yet you have so few friends,” I tease.

“That’s because my stupid Quarter doesn’t appreciate talents like mine. Maybe I should embark on a career as a matchmaker or something.”

“Is that a thing?”

“It should be. I could set up a little service here, offer up my skills – for a fee of course.”

“I don’t think you want to get yourself mixed up in the drama of other people’s love lives.”

“Oh, yes I do!”

“You’re crazy!”

“Well, duh,” he says. “Why else would I be friends with you?” I give him the finger and he blows me a kiss. “Now, are you scuttling off to your room again to be a loner or are you actually going to spend the evening with me and Clare for once?”

I motion towards our friend who is now sitting around the table with the boy in question – his friends all having made themselves scarce. “I don’t think she’s going to be hanging out with you tonight. Or ever again,” I add, spotting some serious footsie business happening under the table.

“The girl is on the way to losing her V card,” Fly says, then focuses back on me. “This makes it even more imperative that you hang out with me. I’m not spending my Saturday evening alone.”

“I’m sure you could find that redhead–”

“Cupcake!” He looks at me earnestly. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too. I’m not doing this to be a bitch.”

“Then, why?” He pouts at me and I realize I have been a bitch. Fly deserves to know the truth. I also need to trust people more, didn’t he just say that?

“Okay,” I say, “I’ll show what’s been keeping me tied to my room–”

“Tied to your room, or tied up in your room?” he asks. The memory of Beaufort restraining me in his bed using his shadow magic floats right to the front of my mind, but I bat it away. Not helpful. “Just promise you won’t freak out.”

“Jeez, Cupcake,” he says, intrigued, “what the hell is it?”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Briony

“A dragon!” Fly shrieks, backing towards the door, with his hands flattened against either cheek. “But … how? … what? … A dragon?”

“You said you wouldn’t freak out,” I say, trying my best to stop Blaze from dive bombing Fly and smothering him with kisses.

“Ahhh,” Fly wails, spinning around in circles, “he’s trying to eat me!”

“He’s not trying to eat you! He’s just trying to kiss you.”