Page 54 of Twisted Ties

Tristan Kennedy.

I glare at him. A look he returns tenfold.

Was this his doing?

Because it’s clear Summer’s not happy about it from the way she folds her arms across her chest and starts to protest. Dr. Johnson doesn’t notice, already on to the last few names.

“Right,” she says, looking up from her list and cowering slightly when she encounters Summer’s death stare. “Today we’ll be practicing the art of combining powers to amplify and increase them. As you will know, this practice is especially useful in battle or in self defense. If you can work with another magical in tandem to combine and increase your powers, you can prove an unstoppable force.”

“I don’t think Pig Girl should be paired with Tristan Kennedy, Diana,” Summer says to the teacher. “They are nowhere near matched. I think I’d be a better match for him.” She throws Tristan a knowing look. He responds with a yawn, finding his fingernails fascinating.

“I don’twantto be paired with him,” I snap. “I’d happily swap.”

Aysha frowns, obviously not happy that Summer is ditching her for Tristan, leaving her with me.

“I would tend to agree with you, Summer,” the teacher says, making me hate her ten times more than I already do. “But it was the principal who picked the pairs, not me.”

“Principal York doesn’t know us as well as you do,” Summer says with flattery that has the doctor’s cheeks glowing a rosy color.

“That she may not. But the pairing was based on some assessment of compatibility that I am not privy to.” I meet eyes with Winnie who is clearly as surprised as I am. “Now, let me explain how this works. Summer, if you wouldn’t mind.” Summer flicks her ponytail over her shoulder and sashays towards the teacher. “We need to link hands,” the teacher says with obvious enthusiasm, taking Summer’s in hers. “Then we need to attempt to tune into the frequency of the other person’s magic. It requires patience and peace of mind. You must clear your thoughts. Give your full attention and devotion to the other person.”

I twerk an eyebrow. There is no way I’m giving Tristan Kennedy anymore of my attention. He’s had far too much of it over these past few weeks.

“Ahhh,” Dr. Johnson says with a sigh that almost sounds erotic. “I can feel your magic, Summer.”

Summer grimaces and shuffles on her feet, obviously uncomfortable.

“Can you feel mine?” the doctor asks.

“No, sorry, I can’t,” Summer says, snatching back her hands.

Dr. Johnson opens her eyes, her face utterly crestfallen. “Oh, well.” She clears her throat. “If Summer had been …” she clears her throat a second time, “able to feel my magic too, the next step would have involved the two of us working together to entwine our magical powers. It’s almost like weaving. Again it requires concentration and patience.”

“Then how is this useful in battle?” someone asks from the back of the group.

“Once you get the hang of it, the process becomes quicker and easier. Skilled magical pairs can combine their powers with little thought and almost instantaneously.”

“And,” I say, raising my hand, “is the same process involved when one magical gives their power to another?”

All the pairs of eyes in the meadow swivel my way and several people chuckle.

“That’s not possible, Miss Blackwaters. A magical can’t give another magical their power.”

“I thought it was,” I say.

The teacher shakes her head, and I’m about to get snarky when Winnie steps in to my rescue.

“Between fated mates it’s possible, though, isn’t it?” she says. “In fact, isn’t it the process for sealing the fated bond?”

“That or boning,” someone yells out.

The teacher looks longingly at Summer who is studying Tristan.

“Well, yes, technically it is possible between fated mates. But obviously those are rare and becoming rarer.”

I stare down at my sneakers, a bee buffeting against my yellow laces. That hook in my stomach strains and I peer up into the sky-blue eyes of Tristan Kennedy.

I can’t be feeling that right, can I? Maybe it’s just his power. I hate to admit it, especially to the smug bastard himself, but he is far more powerful than anyone else out here in this meadow. I can sense his magic thrumming inthe air. Raw. Brutal. Kind of entrancing. Is that what I’m feeling deep in my core?