Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(10)

Grimacing, she stretched the sore leg. There were metal plates and a new knee. It had taken a lot to save her leg, but the doctors did it.

The forest whispered to her. She looked towards it. After a moment, she stood. Her bad leg was shaking but steady. Leaning heavily on the cane, she walked out of the Square towards the forest and down the gravel road.

When the voices stopped, she paused at the deer path marked with a plaque. Curious, Autumn hobbled across the road to read the plaque. As she neared, her gaze was pulled to the trail instead. The air along it was dead, still, the trees unmoving despite the breeze that rustled their needles everywhere else. The scene before her was unreal, as if someone had propped a painting up against the trees.

No part of her mind recalled the path or what might’ve happened. It was blank, as if it, too, was missing something that didn’t extend to the rest of the forest.

“Oh, no. Totally off limits.”

She rolled her eyes at Beck’s familiar voice. He hadn’t made up for his poor first impression the day before. When she faced him, she was taken in by the strange aura and handsome features. His eyes weren’t twinkling. They were hard, the soulful look making him appear far older than his teen years. They rested on the path beyond her.

“I know,” she said uncertainly. “I was just curious.”

“You can be curious anywhere but there.”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, taken aback by the sharpness of his voice.

He looked at her, features softening. Whatever bothered him, it was gone. He gave an exaggerated sigh.

“I keep making an ass of myself around you,” he said.

“It’s okay,” she replied, smiling faintly.

“I heard you’re rooming with Dawn.”

“Yeah.”

“Good luck.”

“It’s okay,” Autumn said. “I’m used to people being asses to me.”

Beck stared at her for a moment. He laughed. “Come on. I’ll show you where the cookie stash is. You have to forgive me when cookies are involved.”

He started towards the Square. Autumn glanced back again and moved forward more deliberately. Beck waited at the dorms. Where Adam hadn’t hesitated to be gallant, Beck seemed uncertain of whether or not to offer. He rubbed the back of his head.

“Um, can I help at all?” he asked awkwardly.

For some reason, she felt like messing with him. She didn’t know where that urge came from, but some part of her was a little gratified to see him off balance.

“Are you in that much of a hurry?” she asked innocently.

“No, I just …”

Without looking up, she knew he was studying her. She hid a smile.

“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“I think I like you, Autumn.”

She snorted, not at all certain she wanted him to after seeing him with Tanya. He stepped forward and offered his arm. She took it. His strange magick trickled through her, soothing. She was relieved when it eased the pain in her leg. She didn’t remember reading about this kind of magick in all the folders of the Orientation program.

“Can I ask what happened?”

“Drunk driver,” she replied. “What … what is this?” She stopped walking to stare at where their arms were linked. “Like, this … magick stuff you’re doing right now?”

Suddenly, Beck was at ease again, the confidence that bordered on arrogance returning.

“I’ll let Amber tell you,” he said with a wink. He tugged her forward. “But you have to ask her like this: why do I feel such wonderful magick when I touch Beck?”

Autumn laughed, recalling Amber’s words about the no fraternization rule.

They reached the side door to the kitchen, and Autumn was struck by déjà vu as Beck led her in. The cookies were in the top cupboard next to the commercial freezer. She watched Beck cross the kitchen to that very place. He reached up to pull free a jar of cookies.

She’d done this before, but not with him. Frustrated by the partial memories, she made her way to the breakfast bar and sat on a stool.

“Today is …” Beck paused to open the jar. “Cranberry oatmeal or something. That okay?”

She nodded. He placed the jar on the breakfast bar then grabbed two glasses for milk.

Autumn nibbled on a cookie. So far, she loved the food here. She’d lost weight at the hospital and orphanage. Like Adam, she’d happily gain it back here.

Beck sat two chairs over and grabbed a cookie.

“There’s a football game tonight. You wanna go?” he asked.

“Um, I don’t know,” she murmured, thoughts on her leg. Sitting outside on cold bleachers didn’t sound appealing.

“It’ll be fun. I can drive.”

She hesitated too long.

“Be ready at five,” he ordered. “Got it?”

“If this is a date, I’ll have to tell Amber,” she warned him, flattered and curious as to why the handsome youth would ask her out.

“This has nothing to do with you being blond,” he replied. “It’s not a date per se, just an outing to welcome the new girl.”

“You should take all three of us then.”

“I’m trying to make up for being an ass,” he said.