“Long story. One better fit for later.” *Sip*
“Gotcha. Well, Zack tried self-enhancing himself, but he’s a first year. That kind of Enchantments aren’t on their curriculum, so instead of making it bigger,” she snorts into her drink, “he reduced it by almost half. Permanently.” A booming laugh escapes me, and Alise tries shushing me while others adjust their attention our way. “He deserves those lost inches.”
Regaining my composure enough to ask, I question, “So, Zack messed up, and he’s harassing you to fix his mistake?”
“Precisely. Being in House Death with a rare bloodline brings unwanted attention. Unlike splinter groups.”
“I see. I’m sorry you’re going through it.” I find myself apologizing on behalf of all assholes. “What’s a splinter group?”
“Thank you.” Downing her beverage, she summons another. “Do you know about the other orders and Houses?”
On the verge of a brain freeze, I shake my head. “Earth is what I’m most familiar with because of rock guy.” A frozen Long Island. Who knew?
“Okay, I assume you know they consist of plant, air, and so forth, right?” I nod, and she continues. “Those with similar magic form groups or clubs. Air magic with air magic, plant with plant…you get it. Splinter groups are a club of fays who’ve combined their magical orders to form something new. A different magic, like lighting, created by mixing the orders of air and water.”
I’ve been so indulgent, I don’t realize my mouth is collecting another drink. I swallow and choke. “Oh shit…I’d love…” Pounding my chest for relief, I finish, “To see that.”
A worried chuckle leaves Alise, and I’m willing to bet I look all kinds of insane. But this drink is too damn good. Back to sipping.
Perhaps I was right telling Raine I’m getting drunk.
Somewhere across the bar I hear two guys arguing, one saying, “I won’t allow it,” while his friend responds, “It may take a different path,” as the entrance door creaks open, pulling my focus.
I ingest a gasp with a thick gulp of alcohol. Choking once again, Isee Raine step past the threshold. His midnight curls sashay back and forth.
He renders a smile, walking past Alise and me, nodding, and proceeding on with a dessert fragrance lingering, and I’m still choking on oxygen.
“Do you know him? Is he, rock guy?” Her tone lowers.
“Absolutely…not.” I pound my chest again. “But no…I don’t know him…per se.”
It takes a moment, but I survive entering the afterlife and gesture for Alise to move on. Shame works its way over my cheeks and arms with an intense heat as I refrain from tracking his movements. “You mentioned making others see what you want? Isthatwhat happened earlier?” I catch a glimpse of Raine through my peripherals.Why is he staring?
“Yeah. I show them a possible future if they insist on continuing. Most times they adhere to my warning and move on.”
“Most times?” I ask, yet Raine is over there picking petals off a flower and mumbling beneath his breath.
“There’s been times my bluff was called, and well, let’s say they found out the hard way.” Alise shrugs.
“Damn. I’d run for the hills. Zack’s crazy thinking he can take you on.”
“Yep, amongst other things. But I hope what happened doesn’t cause you to fear me. I stick to myself and only fight when provoked,” she shares, tucking a loose strand of dull pink hair beneath her hood.
Now thinking about it,why is everyone wearing clothes with hoods, but then again, I’m wearing one myself.Touché.
“Not at all…Well, a little…Okay a lot. I know better than to cross you, that’s for damn sure,” I chortle, and she giggles.
“Who knows, once your magic awakens, it might be better than mine. Something like power draining would trump mine, for sure.”
“That exists?” Not so subtly, I peek at Raine who’s holding a straw hostage with those perfect pink lips.Starburst.
“Sure does. But the fay I know attends another Academy.”
“Of course there’s more than one of these sadistic establishments. Harry Potter had eleven, I believe.”
“Harry who?” She raises her brow, and I wave off my horrible joke. “Well, there are a total of four. One in each region. As of last year, we rank number two, but this year exhibits the promise of reclaiming our title.” She smirks, pulling out her phone. “It’s getting late, and I’d be remiss for keeping you out too long.”
Retrieving mine as well, I see I have a missed text from Raine.
