Page 24

She’s back at her place against the wall, scrutinizing my every move.

We’ve done this for over an hour, and though I’m covered in sweat and beyond exhausted, I’m not doing a terrible job.

I can only keep Sebastian down for two seconds.

Five seconds on the good rounds. It’s probably nothing worth bragging about, but I’m grinning anyway.

It’s not only progress, but consistent progress. Any other time I’ve showcased magic, it’s been erratic, impossible to control. Those times didn’t feel earned, as if I hadn’t been involved at all. This is different. I feel the magic zipping beneath my skin, like tiny electrodes shocking my muscles.

“Hello?” Cora calls. She shoves from the wall, face already twisted in annoyance. “Should we do one more, Master?”

I look at Sebastian, surprised to find him watching me. He raises an expectant eyebrow, as if to say, what do you think ?

My vision blurs and I have to blink to keep from doing something mortifying like cry. I manage a nod.

“One more,” Sebastian confirms. He doesn’t look back at Cora as he lowers to his knees. “We’ll make it a good one.”

“Easy for you to say.” I don’t fight the teasing smile as I get back into position. Arms raised, breath steady. “I’m doing all the work.”

“Just think about how much you hate me,” he whispers.

“I always am,” I say. It’s ridiculous how my heart pulses, how my entire body warms at the inside joke.

Do not get turned on, Grace. Don’t even think about it.

I breathe deeply and close my eyes. It’s easier to focus when I’m not looking at him. With my eyes closed, this moment is mine alone. Mine and the magic sparking beneath my skin.

“One,” Cora counts. It’s what she does every time, and part of me feels like this would be easier if she’d just stop talking. Or better yet, leave. “Two. Three!”

I cast. At least, that’s what Cora would call it.

I’m not entirely sure how I know I’m doing it.

Even once I open my eyes, it doesn’t look like anything is happening.

It’s not nearly as epic as it is in movies.

There’s no colorful mist in the air, and there’s definitely nothing like what I saw in Harry Potter .

Nothing has changed at all, except Sebastian.

I can see the bewilderment on his face, the way his eyebrows tighten as he attempts to stand. Even the muscles beneath his shirt shift as he tries to move. I don’t know how long I hold him, only that I feel ready to pass out by the time I lose my grasp.

The buzz of magic evaporates from my fingers, popping like an overfilled balloon. The moment it disappears, I collapse forward, catching my hands on my knees. I take deep, ugly breaths, blinking hard to keep the room from spinning. It takes longer than usual for my body to stabilize.

“Sorry,” I finally gasp. I feel like I’m going to puke. My stomach roils as I force myself to stand. “I think I’m tired.”

When I look up, both Sebastian and Cora stand before me. She’s whispering something in his ear, and he’s grinning at me.

“I have a few ideas,” Cora says. She plants her hands on her hips, stepping closer.

She’s short enough she has to tip her chin to look at me.

“You do much better with your eyes closed. As soon as they’re open, you fall apart.

You get distracted too easily, like a fucking rabbit.

It’s fine though. I’ll come up with some exercises to strengthen your concentration. ”

I’m nodding along, doing my best to absorb everything Cora says.

I’m still not convinced she’s the best teacher, but seeing as she’s my only option, I need to figure out how to learn from her.

If I want to survive this place, I’m going to need magic to get out.

Maybe by breaking the curse. Maybe by breaking through my cell wall and running for my life.

“I’m going to see about an eggroot tea,” Cora continues. “It might be just what we need?—”

“You’re dismissed,” Sebastian interrupts.

I shift my attention from Cora to the man behind her. His mouth is a flat line, but his eyes crinkle, as if it’s taking effort not to smile. He’s pleased, I realize. I’ve known him long enough to recognize his approval, and I want to clutch the feeling to my chest.

He’s pleased.

Grace Renolds lives to see another day in the vampire house.

“You’re welcome,” Cora says, rolling her eyes. She doesn’t address me as she leaves. Her clicking footsteps sound across the room, eventually disappearing through the doorway and into the hall.

“That was over a minute,” he says as soon as she’s gone. His voice is low, almost seductive—or maybe that’s my body’s wishful thinking. “Sixty seconds, Grace.”

“I’m sweating,” is my only response. As much as I’ve craved improvement, and approval, I don’t know what to do now that I have it.

“Me too,” he says. His smile finally breaks through. “Which is saying something, since you did all the work.”

“Hating you really does help,” I say.

“Come.” He jerks his chin toward the exit and I fall into step beside him.

It feels less threatening than it should, the two of us walking together. We pass more than one set of vampires, and I instinctively shift closer to Sebastian. He does the same, his large hand a constant presence on my lower back.

When we reach my room, I find myself desperate for him to stay. I can feel it, the question begging to be asked, hanging dangerously in my chest. I want him to stay, and that’s exactly why I don’t invite him in.