Exaltation (Insight #11)(28)

“Did you hear my mom is from some other world and that my dad was at one time, and that he leads the Dominarum coven?”

“Like you didn’t know he led the coven. We figured the rest of that out way back.”

“True. Just odd to hear him come out and say it.”

“What about your mom. How are you with that?”

“Same as I was before. I told you I was sharing your mom and you could borrow my dad.” They’d made that pact in second grade.

“It’s still odd they chose today to tell us. Mom said your dad picked up a vibe at the school.”

“What kind of vibe?” Raven asked as she flat ironed the tips of her hair.

“I don’t know. That’s what Ash is trying to figure out. I exited the conversation as soon as Mom said in no way, shape, or form could we be homeschooled.”

River was over school about five years ago. And it was because she was bored. Basically she was a genius and couldn’t find hard enough courses to keep her challenged. This year she sparked interest again, but it was only because of what the girls had just gotten busted for. There was not a doubt in Raven’s mind now that the adventure was over River was looking for a way out.

Raven had tried to tell her to go to school for the boys, to be social, to have fun. River didn’t care for that. She was still a little broken over Mason Wade, who was clearly over her—Ash figured out he was seeing some Indiana Falcon girl where he lived now, a nice, normal—non witch, Quarter living girl. Oh, and she was filthy rich.

Needless to say, River kept her distance from boys for the most part, didn’t flirt. If she wanted something from one, attention, or whatever, she took it.

Currently she did have her eye on a few racers who hung out around the rink. Which is why River was all for Raven and Ash skate dancing. She knew at the end of the night they would all find their way to the crowd River was into.

“Heads up. We have to be at Aunt Saige’s tomorrow at one. Apparently we have to learn to meditate deeper so we can use and see vim,” Raven said in passing as she rushed to the closet, finding black shorts that were tight except for the low hanging cargo pockets in the front, and a different tank to wear.

She was rummaging through the hanger of a thousand scarves when she heard Ash come in the room. She was already dressed under her robe and only had to take her hair down.

“Who tells someone, ‘oh yeah, you are kinda a guardian to your best friend and you have done a stand up job of that—only three hurricanes and one car crash. But heads up, you are getting older and you might draw some attention to yourself so be sure to tell the other witches if you get a funny vibe, because we have already picked up on one. Oh, don’t worry about how or why you are what you are. It will all make sense one day. Just go out and have fun tonight. Here let me fix you dinner first. No, I’m not going to talk about if you received these traits from your father or me. Just let it go. I just wanted you to be aware. Next time we can’t drug you into a stupor. Oh and you might remember those other times but it’s no freaking big deal.’ Ughhhhh!”

River and Raven were doing their best to hold in a grin as they rushed around the room. Half the reason they were not tripping over any of this was because they knew Ash would be worked up enough for the three of them.

Ash pulled the scarf Raven had on off then reached in the closet and pulled out another one and put it around her.

“Why this one?” Raven was digging the skull one she had on and was sure Ash was just stealing it.

“This one will give a haunting look during the last spin.” Raven glanced down at the thin maroon one around her. She was sure Ash was probably right but wasn’t going to admit it.

“You know if you wanted to skate with him I’m cool with that,” Raven said to her as she loaded her skate bag up. She was grateful to skate—alone or not was no matter to her. Beyond that Raven was pretty sure if Ash and Soren didn’t do something about this long-standing hard-core crush, they’d both explode with sexual tension.

“The boy has regrettable tattooed on him somewhere,” Ash said, only halfway giving Raven her attention. She was still furious about earlier in the day.

“He’s a good guy. Hot,” Raven pushed.

“And you skate well with him.”

Raven stopped Ash from rushing around the room by holding her shoulders in place. “I have never kissed him when we practiced this but I think I have to tonight to make this come across right. I won’t if you have a thing for him.”

“Raven, I coordinated the dance. I’m the one who put the kiss in there. You’re not chickening out and using me as an excuse. If I had a ‘thing’ for him, he would be the first person to know.”

“She does,” River piped in. “And he wouldn’t.”

“Do not. Who has time for boys when apparently we are some kind of guardians.”

“He is, too, according to Mom. You guys could have little guardian babies,” River teased.

“Not funny, River. You don’t see me teasing you about your grease boy.”

“Racer. Because he’s hot and the complete opposite of any previous regrettables, and you know it.”

Ash let out a frustrated grunt. “Will you two ever take anything seriously?”

“I am always serious,” River said in a bored tone.