Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(14)

Adhere to the Laws of Light. I do not ask you to use your magick for Dark or selfish reasons. Ever.

“I know, I know. Mom used to say the same.”

Do you listen to her?

“Most of the times.”

The creature laughed again.

“Do you have a name?”

Sam.

“I’m Morgan.” She stepped closer and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He took it and shook. His fur was soft and downy, unlike her thick, unruly red hair.

“I guess that means I have to spend time with him now, doesn’t it?” she asked with a sigh.

Someone has to take care of him, and his brother has his own concerns now. It’s up to you.

She made a sound of disgust, but couldn’t help thinking she was pleased to have a reason not to avoid Beck. Now, she had to hang out with him, because he didn’t know he was in danger from the crazy blonde.

It was just a favor, she told herself. Nothing serious. Why, then, did her fire magick ignite in her blood at the thought of spending time with him? She was more than excited; she was terrified and ecstatic.

For the first time in her life, she was going on a date, even if it was at the request of a bigfoot she met in the forest.

You do not want to be in the forest after dark. Sam motioned to the sky. Full of clouds, it was hard to tell the time, until dusk began stealing daylight.

Morgan glanced at her watch. It was almost dinnertime anyway. She glanced around her, not recalling the path she took to get here. As if sensing her unasked question, the trees to her right lowered branches to the ground to sweep away a path through the snow.

“It was nice to meet you, Sam,” she said. “You’re sure you’re not lost?”

I am not, he confirmed.

“Okay, then I’ll see you again sometime.” She started into the forest. The trees seemed to know where to lead her. And, although she didn’t remember, she trusted them. They led her back to the driveway, and she stepped out of the forest. Daylight was dimming, and the windows of the main schoolhouse glowed with light.

She liked the sight of the warm light and loved the fireplace in the living area. It was bright and burning, the flames dancing in a way that made her want to dance with them. This was a happy place; even the fire confined to a tiny, little hearth was cheerful.

Morgan summoned a flame from across the room, and it leapt into the air, landing in her outstretched palm. She smiled at it, its excited spirit infusing her with energy and lifting her melancholy.

She balled it up and flung it back towards the fireplace. Her aim was off; she lobbed the flame into the brick lining the hearth instead. Laughing, Morgan watched the flame wriggle back to join the rest of the fire.

When she turned around to go to the dining room, she saw half the kids gathered around the entrance, watching her play with fire. Connor rolled his eyes at her while the other teens giggled and whispered. Morgan’s face felt hot, but she refused to run away, as much as she wanted to. Instead, she strode into the dining room and chose a seat, away from her brother.

The guys congregated at one end of the table and the girls on the other. Connor was happy; she loved seeing him like that, even if it bummed her out. Alone in a crowded room, Morgan almost sighed. If she’d paid more attention in class, she’d remember some of their names. The other girls all knew each other and were talking excitedly.

Except for one. Morgan’s gaze settled on the quiet features of a pretty girl with Hispanic coloring and sad, dark eyes that were focused on her plate. The other girls seemed to talk around her. The chair next to her was empty, and Morgan rose, moving to sit beside her.

She didn’t like seeing others in pain. Besides, she needed to make an effort to fit in. Or pretend to. Or just to seem less likely to run off in two weeks, like she planned.

“I’m Morgan,” she said to the quiet girl.

“I know. We’re in like, three classes together.”

“I don’t pay attention in class.”

The girl giggled. “I know. Amber was so mad at you the other day.”

“She was?” Morgan asked, surprised. “Why?”

“You told her you weren’t going to do your homework.”

“Oh, yeah. She didn’t seem mad.” Morgan didn’t recall anyone screaming at her.

“You don’t know Amber. When she stops smiling, it means she’s mad.”

“Ah, well. Sometimes I say things I shouldn’t,” Morgan said. “I don’t remember your name.”

“Sonya.”

“What’s your element?”

“Earth. You’re fire, right?”

Morgan nodded. She dug into the first course, glancing up as someone else entered the room. Tall, sexy Beck was greeted by a chorus of hellos from the guys and the envious whispers from the girls. He didn’t look twice in her direction, but his gaze did linger on one of the girls.

Morgan leaned around Sonya with what discretion she could muster to see the tall, gorgeous blonde girl at the end of the table. She remembered seeing her in one class. Orientation maybe?

Morgan only remembered her, because the girl was so pretty and perfect, everything Morgan wanted to be, but wasn’t.

Beck didn’t even glance her way when he walked in. Wouldn’t he smile if he was really interested? The idea of having to be around him to keep her promise to the bigfoot and watching him flirt around with gorgeous blondes made her mad.