“I promise not to bite.”
“Tonight’s not good,” I said. Glancing over his shoulder, I saw Garrett in the distance and waved to him. Perfect timing.
Carter turned around, frowning. “What’s he doing here?”
“We’re going out to lunch.” I’d never been so happy to see Garrett despite our disagreement last night. He’d insisted on picking me up from my training session today, and I’d told him not to. I should be upset he was here, but I didn’t care. I wanted out of this awkward, creepy conversation.
“Just the two of you?” Carter folded his arms.
“Yes.”
“I don’t trust Garrett, and I don’t want you alone with him.” He uttered a low growl. “Where’s he taking you?”
“Are you serious?” I laughed. “What I do during non-training hours is my business. You certainly can’t tell me what to do, especially when Garrett’s my boyfriend.”
“You’re dating him?” Carter snapped.
“Yes.” I swallowed hard. Damn. He sounded upset to hear I had a boyfriend. His invitation to meet tonight must have been a date. “We’ve been dating for a while.”
Carter stormed off into the woods as Garrett approached.
Confused as hell, I took a deep breath. Carter seemed jealous, which was hard to believe. Did he have a split personality? One minute he was nice, asking questions about my life, then days later, he was ice-cold and uncaring. I never knew what to expect.
“Hey,” Garrett said. “Sorry for turning up like this, especially after last night, but you were late, and I got worried.”
“It’s fine.” I gave him a quick hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“You are?” He grinned. “Carter looks mad. What happened?”
As my gaze followed Garrett’s, I was surprised to see Carter watching us from the running path. We weren’t alone like I’d thought, and Carter was listening to our conversation. Did he think I’d lied about Garrett being my boyfriend?
“Nothing,” I replied. “You know Carter. He’s always angry about something.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. He is a wolf.” Garrett took my hand and held it like he’d done so many times. “How was training?”
“It was great.” I slid in front of Garrett and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him. I wanted Carter to see Garrett and I being affectionate, so there’d be no doubt in his mind. “I kicked Carter’s butt today by invoking air. It was only one time, but I finally did it.”
“You did? That’s my girl.” Garrett lifted my chin and kissed me gently.
I held him tight and then pulled away, not wanting to get lost in the moment. Kissing Garrett felt pleasant and sweet, not the passionate, lose control feeling I got when kissing Kaleb. Sighing deeply, I looked up at him. “What’s for lunch today?”
“How does a picnic sound?” Holding my hand, he led me away from the field. “I had one of my friends pick up takeout from your favorite Thai restaurant. We can eat in the library courtyard. I know how much you love that place.”
“You know me too well, but I need to see Calandra first and get more tea.”
“Of course.” He squeezed my hand and glanced over his shoulder. “You know, I still don’t like you being alone with Carter. I don’t trust him.”
I laughed at the irony of Garrett and Carter having said the same thing about each other. At least I no longer needed to worry about Carter asking me out.
Chapter 22
“Sienna, wait up! I need to talk to you,” Orla yelled as she hurried toward me, pulling her red hair back into a ponytail. She wore no makeup and looked different in jean shorts and a white T-shirt. I couldn’t recall ever seeing her in anything other than the coven uniform.
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m late for my training.” With my water bottle clutched in one hand, I ran to the gravel path as fast as I could, hoping Carter wouldn’t make me do extra laps or something unbearable like pull-ups. Whatever Orla wanted couldn’t be more important than not getting on Carter’s bad side. Hopefully, he was in a better mood today, and not his usual grumpy self.
Ever since Carter had found out Garrett and I were dating, he’d stopped being social, and our training sessions now consisted only of training. No more personal questions. No more asking me to meet him. And no more smiling at me. But he’d started giving me pointers and useful information on the wolves, like how they were most vulnerable right before shifting, how they avoided water and couldn’t swim very well, and how casting smoke could work in my favor.
When I reached the grassy field and didn’t see Carter, I breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who’d slept in. He must have had a late night. Better yet, maybe he wouldn’t even turn up, and I’d finally get a day off.
“Damn, girl. You run fast.” Orla stopped in front of me, managing a smile even though she looked like she wanted to pass out. Her face was now almost as red as her hair. She bent over, holding a hand to her chest while gasping for air.
“Do you need water?” I held out my water bottle, hoping she wouldn’t faint. It wasn’t like I could leave her and go for help. Orla would freak out if she woke up to a wolf shapeshifter standing over her.
“No. I’m fine.” She straightened up, her breathing sounding somewhat more controlled. “I bet you could outrun a wolf.”
“I doubt it. They’re pretty fast.” I stuck out a leg and stretched while looking around. Carter wouldn’t be pleased if he saw I wasn’t alone. He might even suggest playing ‘Fetch a Witch’ again. “You shouldn’t be here. Carter can be a real jerk.”
“Yeah, so I heard, but if he tries to attack me, I’m ready.” She watched me and copied my stretching routine. “Did you sleep okay last night?”
“I guess.” I continued stretching my calves and avoiding Orla’s gaze. No way had she chased me all this way to ask me how I’d slept. Not unless… “Why do you ask?”
“I think you know why.” Grinning widely, she pulled me into her arms and danced around. “How was it?”
I stopped her from dancing, praying she hadn’t seen what I thought she had.
Garrett had come over last night, and we’d stayed up late casting spells, trying to invoke the earth element, and creating potions. We’d even watched an old horror movie on Rosella’s tablet.
The next thing I’d known, it was morning, and Garrett was sleeping beside me in my bed. I’d insisted he leave, even though he’d reassured me it was no big deal. We were dating, hadn’t broken any rules, and no one would find it odd he’d stayed the night.
“How was what?” I finally asked.
“Don’t play coy with me, Sienna.” She grinned. “Rosella slept in my room last night, complaining about you and Garrett needing privacy. Then at breakfast, the girls were talking about him sneaking out of your room this morning. Tell me all the details. I know it was probably you’re first time having sex since the Romanies are strict about no sex before marriage. I hope he was gentle and didn’t push you into—”
“I see you’ve brought a friend.” Carter appeared out of nowhere, fully clothed and a stern look on his face. Definitely in a grumpy, pissed-off mood. “Are you training with us today?”
“No,” I said quickly. “She’s just leaving.”
“Good. Give me ten laps and forty push-ups for being late.” Carter stalked off, heading to the other side of the field.
“He looks much bigger than I expected, and his aura seems a bit off. Not like the other wolves I’ve seen.” Orla watched Carter, who was now doing pull-ups on the bar. “Is he going to get naked? Maybe I should stay and keep an eye on you. I might learn a few things.”
“He can hear everything you’re saying.” I pushed her toward the gravel path, wanting her to leave before Carter changed his mind.
“Don’t worry; I’m just kidding. I don’t really want to see him naked.” She chuckled. “When you’re done, come find me. We need to finish talking, and don’t forget the county fair o
n Friday.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and finally left, leaving Carter and me alone. He was still doing pull-ups, but at a much faster speed.
I took off running around the field, glancing over at him every time I passed. He looked more upset than I’d ever seen him, and on my fifth lap, he dropped to the ground and started doing one-hand push-ups.
When I’d finished the tenth lap, I joined him on the ground and slowly did forty standard push-ups. That done, I drank more water and lay on the grass, resting while he concentrated on another set of one-hand push-ups. He looked bigger today. He also seemed faster and more energetic than usual. Maybe he’d had a big meal recently.
“Let’s get started,” he grunted, jumping to his feet with ease.
“What are we starting with today?” I stood, already feeling my muscles strain from the warm-up but determined to do my best. “Should I tackle you head-on again?”
“No.” He wiped his sweaty face with his shirt. “I want you to run.”
I groaned. “More laps? I just did ten.”
“That’s not what I meant. We’ve trained every day for almost six weeks. How many times have you taken me down without using your powers?”
“Zero, but I did take you down. I’m just not strong enough without using magic.”
“Exactly. You’ll never be strong like us. But your friend’s right—running might be the answer.” He placed his hands on his hips and looked me over. “How fast can you call the air element?”
“Pretty fast.”
“Good. Now, run from the climbing wall to the other end of the field. Run as fast as you can and summon the air element, like you did the day you knocked me down. Can you do that?”
“Sure,” I mumbled, but I didn’t agree with his logic. Running away sounded like a bad idea. My back would be toward my enemy. Shouldn’t I face them head-on like I had with Carter?
I walked over to the climbing wall and readied myself. As soon as he nodded, I invoked air and ran across the field. Everything around me blurred as I felt a slight push from behind, and when I reached the other side, I wasn’t tired or breathless.
“That was amazing. I swear you were lifted into the air for a few seconds,” Carter yelled, walking toward me with a smile. “Now, let’s run together.”
We spent the next hour running back and forth across the field, taking breaks whenever I got tired. Carter never tired, of course, and he even beat me several times. At least the weeks of training with him hadn’t proved to be a complete waste of time. I’d finally found a way to buy myself some time in an unpleasant situation.
“Okay, that’s enough for today,” he eventually announced.
Grateful training had ended, I guzzled the rest of my water. No bruises or cuts today, but all that running and repeatedly invoking the air element had taken its toll on my energy levels. My body desperately needed food and rest.
“What your friend said earlier…” Carter rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “Did Garrett push you into having sex last night?”
“No,” I gasped. “Garrett would never do that.”
“But you had sex with him?”
“Who I’m having sex with isn’t anyone’s business,” I snapped.
Balling his hands into fists, he looked away. “So coming to the coven was a good idea. You’re happy here?”
“Yes.” I moved away from him, hoping he wouldn’t ask me anything else. This felt just as awkward as that first time he’d asked all those questions. What did it matter if I liked the coven or was happy? I’d been much happier in Woodlake, with my family and Kaleb. But none of that mattered now, and I couldn’t admit it. Not to Carter. “Same time tomorrow? I won’t be late.”
He shook his head. “No training until Saturday. I have to leave town for a few days. I’m sure you could use the extra time to study spells.”
“Yes!” I pumped my fist in victory. Two days of no training was a dream come true. I could sleep in, and I wouldn’t have to put up with Carter yelling at me.
“One more thing,” he said. “That county fair. You shouldn’t go.”
“Why not?”
“Leaving the coven’s a bad idea, and you know it.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Need I remind you that you’re a marked witch? The Rocklin wolves would love to get their hands on you.”
“I won’t be going alone, and two High Council witches will be there at all times.” I folded my arms as I tried to remember what Orla had told me about the fair earlier. “If I were in any danger, they wouldn’t let me go.”
“The High Council are idiots; they don’t understand what the Rocklin alpha would do to you. It wouldn’t be a quick, painless death. He’d torture you.”
“I’ll be fine. Garrett’s going, and we’ll be with the other witches.”
“I still don’t like it.” He frowned. “You’re putting yourself in danger for—”
“Why do you care? You’re a wolf. It’s not like we’re friends.”
His head jerked back, and I immediately regretted my words. Carter being a wolf didn’t bother me, but surely he must realize that we weren’t actually friends.
“I don’t care,” he snapped. “My deal with the High Council includes eight weeks of training. If you die, I don’t get paid. So I need you alive for two more weeks. After that, you can do whatever you want.”
I gritted my teeth. How could I have thought Carter might not be too bad? I should have realized he was just looking out for number one—himself. Two more weeks and he’d be gone from my life forever. And I couldn’t wait.
Chapter 23
“I’m glad you talked me into coming.” I took another bite of the funnel cake and moaned as the powdered sugar melted on my tongue. The county fair was way more fun than I’d expected—the games, the rides, and especially the food. Garrett had pulled out at the last minute, but Orla had still convinced me to join her and the other Hale House girls. “Are you sure you don’t want a bite?”
“Nope. That’s way too much sugar for me.” Orla looked around and sat up straighter as a group of guys walked by our table. Smiling, she waved to one of them before blowing a kiss to a guy with blond hair who’d winked at her.
“Do you know him?” Rosella finished eating her candy apple and set the core on a napkin.
“He asked for my phone number when he sat beside me on the Ferris wheel.” Giggling, Orla tossed her curly red hair over her shoulder.
“Why would you want to mess around with a townie?” Cindy propped her chin on her hand, a dreamy look in her eyes. “Have you guys seen Julius tonight? He’s wearing the tightest jeans that make his—”
“He’s much too old for you.” Rosella nudged her in the side. “And I think he heard you. He’s coming this way.”
Sitting up straighter, Cindy clasped her hands on the table in front of her and smiled.
“Ladies, I hope you’re having fun.” Julius stopped beside our table and glanced at his watch. “The buses leave in an hour. Don’t be late, and make sure you stay together.”
We nodded, and Julius headed over to a tableful of warlocks. The High Council had selected thirty of us from the coven to visit the county fair tonight. Another thirty would come during the day tomorrow and another thirty at night.
“He didn’t even look at me,” Cindy mumbled, sulkily staring after Julius.
“How about we go on the Ferris wheel again?” I asked, wanting to steer the conversation away from Julius. I hadn’t realized how much Cindy liked him.
“No way.” Rosella shook her head. “Remember how queasy it made me?”
“How about the hay bale maze? That looks like fun.” Orla tossed our empty paper plates and napkins into a nearby trash can.
“I don’t know. Those things can be hard to get out of,” I replied. “How about we play more games?”
“I agree with Orla,” Rosella said. “Let’s do the maze. It’s not far from the parking lot, an
d there’s four of us. How hard can it be? And there’s a two hundred dollar prize if we beat last year’s time. We could put the money toward the house’s new-television fund.”
Cindy’s eyes filled with excitement. “Let’s hurry up.”
I stood and brushed the crumbs from my shirt before following them to the other side of the fair. As we approached the maze, screams from a nearby kiddie roller coaster and the loud bells ringing from a horse racing game with water pistols assaulted my ears. The tantalizing smell of buttered popcorn and fresh caramel apples hung in the warm evening air. Unlike the rides and booths, no one waited in line at the maze. It was definitely the least popular attraction, even with the two hundred dollar prize.
An older gentleman sat at the entrance, collecting tickets. “My, what pretty young ladies. You must be from that Raven Academy. I recognize the crest on your vest. My daughter dreams of attending your school.”
“Are there any rules for the grand prize?” Rosella asked as she handed over our tickets.
“Nope. You just gotta exit the maze in less than fifteen minutes. Gary’s on the other end.” The gentleman picked up a walkie-talkie from his lap and pushed the button. “Gary, I got four girls going in. They’re from that Academy outside of town.”
“Roger that,” Gary’s voice squeaked through the walkie-talkie.
“You can go in now. If you’re not out in thirty minutes, we’ll send someone in to help you.” He looked behind us. “Looks like you’ll have company.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the group of guys standing behind us. They were the ones who’d walked by our table just before, including the guy Orla had blown a kiss to.
“Orla, did you plan this?” I asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “I swear I didn’t, but maybe we should wait for them.”
“We’re not sharing the prize money. Let’s go.” Rosella gave Orla a push toward the maze, then led the way.
“Damn. They’re hot.” Cindy took one last look at the guys before following me.
Romani Magic (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 3) Page 14
