“Yeah, it was.I…I don’t know, Temps.Maybe they like weird.Who am I to judge?Though…” But I had to be reading into this, so I shook my head, dropping the thought in favor of getting some sleep.
“What?You can’t leave me hanging like that?”
Rolling my eyes, I chuckled quietly.Like you do to me all the time?
“Ugh, fine.It’s just that I noticed something while we were there—a symbol I recognize from a necklace your mom has.”
“A symbol?”Temps’ brow furrowed as she visibly thought about what I was saying.“That one from the church thingy she’s so into?”
I nodded.“Yeah.But I’m sure it’s nothing.I mean, they probably both go to it right.She said the cult—”
“Lizzie!”
“Sorry, ‘church’ has a following, right?”
“Yes, they have locations and stuff across the country.At least according to her.It’s not like I went and looked it up.”Temps sagged, her eyes dropping to the space between us as she burrowed down into the bed.“She’s been going a lot lately.I…Okay, it’s stupid, but I don’t really like it.It feels like one of those holier-than-thou places.And not very queer friendly.”
I cocked a brow, tilting my head as I found her hand under the covers.“Queer friendly?That matter a lot to you?”
Yes, it was a leading question, but sue me.
“Of course!Everyone should be treated equally.Hell, you’re bi, Lizzie.Why would I want my mother to be an asshole to a group of people at all, let alone one that includes you?”
I didn’t sense even a spec of mistruth in Temps’ words.She believed that wholeheartedly, according to her body language, aura, and everything else.But I couldn’t tell if she was including herself in that group.Temps had never been much of a dater, and while we’d talked about me being bi, she’d always danced around the subject.
“Well, I appreciate your support, as a ‘queer’ and all.”
“Oh, shut up.”She playfully shoved me back, and as I rebounded back into the bed, I scooted up higher on the pillow, shoving my arm under her neck and pulling Temps in for a cuddle.
“I’m cold and couldn’t find shorts.Keep me warm.”
Temps didn’t move for a second, but then snuggled deeper into my arms, resting her head on my chest.
“That makes two of us.Do we have a short-stealing gremlin?”
I laughed, which I knew jostled Temps, and closed my eyes, suddenly feeling much more relaxed and ready for bed.
“Well, if we do, we’ll just have to come up with a spell or potion to get rid of it, because I need my damn shorts.I’m not about to get expelled because I couldn’t find my clothes.It should be because I chose not to wear them.”
Giggling, Temps shook her head against my chest, and then I felt her relax, her breathing slowing down as she drifted to sleep.I didn’t rest until I knew she was out, soothed by the sound of her breath moving in and out like the ocean.
Eight-Inconvenient Interruptions Come When They Choose, Not You
Temps
“Andinthatway,a spell is simply a desire made manifest.It depends on the concentration, the innate connection with the witch, and the conditions to which reality is being stretched.Theoretically, yes.Anything is possible through the appropriate spell or potion.But like science tells us, energy does not burst into creation nor does it evaporate or die.It transmutes.So, the greater the magical working, the more energy must be transmuted.And just where do you think the spell gets the energy from?”
Professor Harkert scanned over the room, and I raised my hand quietly.The other students were feeling less than enthused this morning, and I had a feeling Lizzie and I weren’t the only people who’d gone out last night.
“Ms.Montgomery.”Harkert nodded at me, gesturing for me to answer.
“From the practitioner, or in the case of alchemy, from the practitioner and the ingredients.”
The barest hint of a smile lifted the corner of Harkert’s mouth, and Lizzie nudged me in the ribs playfully.Looking over at her briefly, memories of last night swirled in my head.I’d fallen asleep snuggling with her in my bed, and even when I woke up to roll over, I’d hauled her arm over me to keep us linked.
There was something about being next to her last night that had eased the discomfort I’d felt ever since leaving the carnival.
I still didn’t know what was up with them, but I agreed with Lizzie that it felt off.
