by Nissa Leder
I snake in and out of groups until I find Olivia. She’s with a group of people I don’t recognize, leaning against Jake, his arm wrapped around her.
When I’m approaching her, her eyes widen.
“Hey, Wren,” she says as Jake gives her a look.
“Thought I’d come hang out with you for a while,” I say. When I see her glance at Jake, I add, “Unless that’s a problem.”
“We were just in the middle of a personal conversation,” Jake says.
I don’t recognize the other people with them. They must all be his friends.
Or members of the Mystics.
“I didn’t realize that a public bonfire was a good venue for personal matters.” I stare at Olivia, waiting for her to tell him that I’m her friend and it’s okay that I’m there. But she doesn’t. “But hey, I get it, since you’re all special and part of—”
A hand covers my mouth as an arm wraps around my waist.
“—All clearly engaged in a riveting discussion,” Callum says as he lifts me up. “I need to steal Wren for an important matter.” Still covering my mouth, he spins around and carries me away from the bonfire.
When he finally sets me down, we’re on the side of the academy. The bonfire is out of view and the only thing giving us light is the half moon.
“Why did you do that?” I ask.
“You were about to publicly out them as Mystics,” Callum says.
“I doubt anyone could hear.”
“But that would mean declaring yourself an enemy of the group.”
“So?”
“The Mystics might seem silly to you, but they’re powerful. And making them your enemy won’t end well for you. Even if you’re the Sorcery President’s granddaughter.”
I didn’t realize the stupid group took themselves so seriously. “How could Olivia look at me like that?” The urge to cry attacks me, but I bite my tongue to keep myself distracted.
“The Mystics have always been exclusive, but a lot depends on the current Master. Some require more secrecy than others. And some allow outside relationships while others don’t.”
“So, Olivia can’t be my friend if she’s a member?” That’s such bullshit.
“She might have to be more careful with your friendship.”
The anger inside me swirls with the Alchemy Brew, threatening to explode. “I don’t want to think about her or Zane or anything.”
I close the distance between us and kiss Callum hard.
At first, he lets me do all the work. But soon, his hands find my hips while mine grab his hair.
We move toward the school and soon, my back is against cold stone.
I reach under his shirt and rest my hands on his chest, his body warmth sending a heatwave through me.
As his body leans into mine, his pelvis presses into me and I know I’m not the only one enjoying this. I reach down with one hand and grip him, earning me a small moan.
He tips his head back. “Wren, I really don’t want to stop, but what about Zane?”
“What about him?” I slide my hand up and down. “It sounds to me like he’s busy in his room. So, what we’re doing out here is none of his concern.”
At first, I thought I might be jealous that Zane was hooking up with someone else. Now I know I was only mad that Callum and I were holding back because we didn’t want to hurt him. If he’s ready to kiss someone else, then I shouldn’t feel bad doing so myself.”
As my hand moves, Callum’s intensity grows. He kisses a trail from my mouth to my neck.
I unbutton, then unzip his pants. Only his boxers separate my skin from his, and they don’t put up much fight as I slip through the hole to find his flesh.
His mouth finds mine again as I pleasure him with my hand until he’s finished.
Laughter approaches us as I take my hand back.
Van rounds the corner, carrying Natalia, her legs wrapped around him.
“Oh, it looks like this spot is taken.” She grins at me.
“It’s all yours. We were just leaving,” I say before Callum and I walk away to give them their privacy.
Thirteen
One of the benefits of Alchemy Brew is supposed to be a lack of hangover, but when I wake up nauseated the next morning, I barely make it to my bathroom before the urge to throw up is too strong to hold in.
After brushing my teeth and washing off my face with cold water, I curl back into bed, confused.
At first, I think maybe it was a bad batch of the special Sorcery liquor. But when I ask Elaine how she’s feeling since she drank the same amount I did, she replies she’s tired but not sick.
When I search my brain for answers, I remember the poppy berry. Since I’m too sick to dare get more than three seconds away from the toilet, I text Callum asking him if I should be this sick.
A half hour later, he’s at my door with soup and a huge water bottle.
“I’m so sorry,” he says as he sets them on my nightstand. “Poppy Berry does not mix well with willow root which is part of the Alchemy Brew.”
I didn’t know that he was going to come over, so I force myself out of bed and slip on a sweatshirt. I’ve puked three times already, and I know I probably look about as good as I feel.
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t encourage me to drink four glasses of Alchemy Brew.”
“I didn’t realize you were so…”
“Drunk?” I laugh. “I was feeling pretty good.”
“Good enough to get me off against the school.” He teases me with a smirk.
“Let’s say I get a little frisky when I drink.” I’d been worried things would be strange for us after our moment, but this feels okay.
“Last night was fun, but…”
“You still don’t want to hurt Zane,” I say. “I don’t regret our interaction, but I get it.” His determination to be a good friend only makes me want him more. “What happens at the bonfire stays at the bonfire.”
“Sounds legit.” He laughs. “I’d hold off on your tea until all the Alchemy Brew is out of your system.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
“I’m meeting Zane in the gym to shoot some hoops. Let me know how you’re feeling later.”
“Okay,” I say before he turns and leaves.
After I make it an hour without puking again, I open up the minestrone soup he brought me and am hit with the aroma of oregano. I manage to get down half of the bowl before feeling like I’m going to be sick again. Somehow, though, once it settles in my stomach, I feel better.
By the afternoon, I’m not nauseous at all. To be safe, I decide to skip my tea today.
I take a relaxing bath, replaying the events of last night. Thinking of Callum brings a grin to my face. He was there to save me again. This time from the stupid Mystics.
I’d been indifferent to the secret group before, but now I plain don’t like them.
And the way Olivia looked at me.
The more I think about it, the more my frustration builds. Now annoyed, the bath isn’t quite as relaxing, so I get out and get dressed.
Then I head to Olivia’s room.
I knock three times and wait until she answers the door.
“Oh. Hi, Wren,” she says. She’s not wearing any makeup today, and when I look closer, I notice the remnants of last night’s eyeliner still beneath her eye.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
“Sure, come in.” She steps to the side and lets me pass.
Her room is messy, with clothes scattered across half the bed and dresser. It was totally clean when I was here yesterday. I’m surprised it could look so different only a day later.
She follows my stare. “Oh, yeah, I couldn’t decide what to wear and I went a bit crazy.”
Olivia has always been someone who likes to dress cute, but she never stressed about it last year. At least, nothing like this. And the girl I met on my first boat ride here would never have seemed annoyed at me saying hi at a party.
“
Look, you aren’t going to want to hear what I have to say,” I start, suddenly less angry and more sympathetic. “But I don’t think Jake is good for you.”
She flinches as if I just slapped her. “I’m sorry, but what?”
“I know you’ve been excited about your relationship, but you’ve changed.” I don’t know how to say this without hurting her, but I can’t stand by and watch her become a completely different person—a worse person—without at least trying to help.
“That’s what college is about.” She wipes her face. “Sure, our school has magic, but this is the time we’re supposed to figure out who we are.”
“Well, yeah, but I didn’t think becoming a horrible friend was something to be proud of.” My anger is back and even stronger than before. “Are you saying that you’re okay with Jake talking to me like he did.”
“We were having a discussion about something that didn’t concern you.” She shrugs. “It wasn’t like he called you a bitch. I know you aren’t used to not being invited to things—”
“This isn’t about me not getting an invite to the Mystics. I would have turned the ridiculous thing down anyway.”
“Ridiculous? Spoken like someone who's majorly jealous.” She pouts her lip mockingly. “Poor, Wren. Granddaughter of the famous Lucas Jacobsen denied an automatic bid to something.”
“This isn’t about me.” How am I supposed to get her to see that this is exactly what I mean? “But fine. I guess I was wrong about you. You aren’t the kind of person I want to be friends with. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you when you’re with your cult again. I won’t bother you at all.”
I don’t wait for her to defend herself or say something else to bring me down.
She doesn’t stop me.
Whatever, life will be much easier without her anyway. She can have her exclusive friends and jackass boyfriend all to herself. I didn’t want to talk to them last night. I only wanted to see how she was doing. But now I don’t have to worry about her anymore.
My anger fizzles slowly when I’m back in my room. I go through my closet to distract myself, moving all the clothes I don’t wear often to the back, and keeping my favorite outfits in front for easy access. Then I dust everything. Which is pretty pointless, because the hobgoblins do that for me. But the busier my hands, the quieter my mind.
Finally, my frustration is gone and sadness takes its place.
Olivia was my first friend here at Wicklow. And she was right. College is supposed to be about growing as a person. Since things fell apart with Elaine in high school, I’ve never been the type of person who has close friends. Well, except for Zane, and a big part of our friendship was hooking up. I wanted things to be different here at Wicklow. And they have been. Elaine and I have patched things up, and I’ve managed to make it more than a year without hooking up with a bunch of different guys. I’ve only kissed two—well, actually, I forgot about Kaz, so three. Well, if you want to be technical I kissed Callum and Sebastian, but they’re the same person, so it shouldn’t count. Regardless, a big part of what I’ve loved about the academy is my friendships. And it looks like one just burst into a billion pieces.
Pressure builds in my head. I sit on the edge of my bed and take three deep breaths. Is all the stress of my fight with Olivia giving me a headache? I try to stand up, but my legs waver and I don’t trust them to hold me, so I sit right back down.
My phone is on the dresser across the room, so I can’t ask anyone for help unless I can get to it.
I’m about to risk it and make a move for my phone when a sharp pain explodes in my head.
I’m sitting on a firm couch in a room I don’t recognize. The decor is modern but traditional. A grayish-beige paint coats the walls where pictures of different skylines hang in metallic frames. I sigh, growing impatient. If this is a trap then he will certainly pay.
I tap my finger on the cold leather. At least the man has good taste in furniture.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he says from out of view. When he rounds the corner and sees me, he freezes.
The first glimpse of me always astonishes people. I’ve learned to find the humor in it.
“I don’t bite,” I say.
“Of course not,” the man says. “My apologies. I…”
“There’s no need to lie to me.”
“Right.” He continues into the room and sits across from me in a matching leather chair. “My sources tell me we have a common enemy.”
“Enemy is quite a strong word, but yes, we have similar goals.” His fear of me permeates the air. I close my eyes and inhale it.
“Then you’ll help me?” He leans toward me, hopeful.
“That depends what you’re willing to do.” My lips pull back into a grin, and I’m impressed at his ability to resist a reaction.
He is quite the politician.
My eyes open to a spinning ceiling above me. It takes a few blinks for the world to settle.
I was in my grandma’s head again, and from what I can tell, she had no idea. As I orient myself back in my body, recognition slaps me.
The man she was meeting with was Bianca’s dad, at what I’m assuming was his house.
But why would he call upon a dark Sorcerer?
He mentioned a common enemy. Could he mean my grandpa? Who else is standing in the way of his goal of becoming Sorcery President?
Not wanting to risk another vision, I make myself a cup of my tea. I’d rather puke than have my grandma grow aware of my ability to get inside her head.
Ability is a stretch. I don’t know how I’m doing it, and I’m not trying to. But if she learns what I know, who knows what she’ll do.
All I know is it’s something I don’t ever want to find out.
Fourteen
The month of October flies by.
Drinking the poppy berry tea has replaced my morning coffee habit, and I’m grateful to say I’ve had no more visions. Callum has quit feeling the need to check on me every night, and somehow, we’ve managed to fall into the friend zone again.
Zane still isn’t talking to me, and neither is Olivia.
But the growing load of homework from my classes has kept me nearly too busy to notice.
Things between Micah and I are a bit rocky, too. He smiles at me from across the room in the classes we share, but I can tell it makes him uncomfortable. He catches me leaving the dining room one day and we stop and chat for a few minutes.
“How have you been?” he asks, not meeting my gaze for more than two seconds at a time.
“Oh, you know, busy.” My arms hang awkwardly at my side. “You?”
“Same.” He scratches his cheek. “I was sorry to hear about your and Olivia’s…disagreement.”
“I maybe could have handled it all differently.” I don’t take back anything I said to her. I just wish I hadn’t come on so strong when I was angry at her for not sticking up for me at the bonfire. “I’m not crazy, though, right? Jake isn’t good for her.”
Micah eyes the area around us. “No, but she won’t listen to anyone who tells her that.”
He’s right. Which I should have known. Telling a friend you don’t like her boyfriend never ends well.
“Well, I’ll see you around,” Micah says, glancing ahead at the buffet.
“For sure.”
I can’t blame him for the distance that’s grown between us. Not only has he been friends with Olivia for a lot longer than he’s known me, but it’s obvious he’s realized his feelings for her include more than friendship. And it isn’t like I’ve been pounding at his door, trying to keep our relationship from changing.
Instead of losing another friend, I make the choice not to be angry at him for the sudden weirdness he exudes whenever he’s around me. If being Micah’s friend still means an occasional wave when Olivia isn’t looking, I’ll take it.
With me and Olivia on the outs, and Callum and I still trying to stifle anything between us that doesn’t fall into the friend zone, I spend most of
my free time with Elaine and sometimes Natalia. Our Monday group practices continue, and we usually hang out as a group for a little bit on the weekends.
Elaine and Beck are still together, but his Mystic duties are taking up more of his time.
“I’m sure things will calm down,” I tell Elaine as I blot foundation across my face.
“I wish I was as optimistic.” She stands next to me, staring at the mirror as she straightens her hair. “We used to hang out all the time. Now, the longest we spend together is a couple of hours.”
“Have you talked to him about it?” I check to make sure there’s no line on the edge of my chin.
“I’ve tried, but I can’t exactly ask him to quit. I mean, I could but I know he’d choose the group over me. And I don’t want to be a girlfriend who gives him ultimatums.”
“I’m sorry.” Now that my foundation is on, I move to my eyes, covering the lids with black shadow. “At least, you’re going to the party at Carmichael tonight together.”
She looks down at her orange sweater. “Maybe we should have picked characters that don’t die.”
“Everyone dies.”
“Okay, ones who weren’t shot to death by police,” she says. “What about you and Callum?”
With my eyeshadow in place, I pick up my liquid liner. “What about us? We aren’t together.”
“But you want to be.” She glances at me in the mirror.
Elaine is the only one I’ve confided in about my feelings for Callum. She knows about our moment at the bonfire. But she also knows how much a friend hooking up with your crush can hurt, so she should understand why we don’t want to do that to Zane.
“Sometimes, we don’t get what we want.”
“It isn’t like Zane is staying in his room crying at night. I’ve seen him sitting with a new girl at Saturday brunch every weekend.” She moves on to the second side of her hair, curling the ends under in perfect Bonnie fashion.
