Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(40)

“Only sometimes?” Beck raised his eyebrows.

I cannot see the future. The forest loved Summer. It loves Autumn, too.

“What did she say to him?”

She reminded him he was not alone with his pain, much like she did you.

Beck nodded, pensive. He recalled his night with her asleep in his arms. She’d known that what he felt was much deeper than any words could soothe.

“I wish she had a twin. I think we both need her. And twins are hot, especially blond ones.”

Sam shook his head, entertained.

“I’ll check in later. Are there blond Sams?”

The yeti laughed and waved him towards the door. Beck left. He had a long day ahead of him and the feeling it wasn’t going to go remotely well.





Chapter Ten





“Autumn!”

She froze in the middle of her shower. The shout was accompanied by a pounding at the bathroom door. Dawn had hogged the bathroom for three hours this morning. Autumn couldn’t imagine the girl needed it again so soon.

“Autumn, what’s the name of that blond skank you came here with?” Dawn demanded, opening the door.

So much for the lock. Autumn rolled her eyes.

“Tanya,” she replied.

“Kay.”

She poked her head out to see Dawn hadn’t bothered to close the door. Was she wearing another of Autumn’s sweaters? She couldn’t help thinking the pregnant girl would be too big soon to steal her clothes.

Autumn finished up and dried off then braced herself as she wiped away the mirror.

The dark-haired girl was there. For the first time, Autumn wasn’t scared. She understood why the girl’s eyes looked so sad. She offered a supportive smile then closed her eyes. The girl was gone when she opened them. Leaving the bathroom, Autumn glanced at Dawn’s side of the room. Sonya was lying on Dawn’s bed, texting on her phone.

“Dawn borrowed another sweater. And the black jeans,” Sonya said without looking up.

Autumn gritted her teeth. She’d slept fantastic, aided no doubt by Beck’s magick. When she awoke, he was gone, and the scents of Sunday morning brunch had lured her to the dining table before she returned to her room.

Beck’s pain. Decker’s incredible kiss. She stood in front of her closet, not seeing her clothing. The night hadn’t gone anyway she predicted.

There will be a next time.

She barely remained standing as she recalled Decker’s intensity and steady gaze. And yet, Beck warned her away from Decker with concern that left her beyond confused. Beck seemed certain Decker would hurt her. She knew he was dangerous, but someone who kissed her like that … she wasn’t sure she cared how dangerous Decker was.

Autumn shook her head.

“Sonya,” she said, turning to the girl. “Who is Decker?”

“Only the hottest, craziest Dark witchling in the world. He’s Beck’s twin, the Master of Dark. Did Amber cover that with you yet?” Sonya asked.

“A little,” Autumn said, alarmed. She thought of the mini-lesson Decker gave her on the cliff. “So, he’s like the devil?” He’d definitely failed to mention that at any point before or after their kiss.

“More like the grim reaper lately.”

This he had mentioned. Autumn’s heart was flying, her hands trembling. He’d been surprised at her defiance. She understood why. What was she thinking? Something about him made her say and do things she wasn’t sure she should.

“Did you sleep with him?” Sonya asked curiously.

“No way,” Autumn replied.

“He’s slept with pretty much everyone. No big deal if you did.”

“Well, I didn’t. He scared the hell out of me.”

“God, he’s so sexy.” Sonya’s face was flushed, her eyes bright. “I went home with him a few weekends ago. The things he can do in bed … wow. I never …”

Autumn tuned her out and returned to her closet, irritated to feel a flare of jealousy. Beck had told her his twin slept around. It wasn’t a surprise. She shouldn’t care, especially since Decker ran around killing witchlings.

And yet she did.

At least she had a new weapon to use against him, the next time their paths crossed. Anger and pain were good motivators. She had enough of both right now to level him if he came close to her. She wasn’t going to be the latest in his collection of witchlings he’d slept with.

Mine.

Was it her thought or his? She didn’t know. It made her blood quicken and heat. Maybe it was hers, aided by his magick. She wasn’t stupid enough to think his shadows were innocent of influencing her and every other girl at the school. His pain, though, wasn’t something she’d expect him to share. She was touched by it in a way she didn’t think anyone else was able to understand. Not many people felt that deeply.

He was an enigma. Beck was right; she couldn’t trust Decker. The Master of Dark. Apparently, the Master of Seduction was a better title for him.

Autumn put on her brace then dressed, angry at herself for melting at his kiss like every other girl probably did.

“You going home for Thanksgiving?” Sonya’s question broke through her self-berating.

“No.”

“They have a big banquet here every year. I went last year. It was pretty cool. I’m staying this year.”