Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(25)

“If she confronts you, will you tell me?”

Her anger stirred again, though she didn’t know why. Earth magick pushed the fire back into submission, and she sighed.

“No,” she replied. “Because I don’t want anything to do with you after tonight.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” His jaw tightened visibly. “It’s probably for the best, though.”

Morgan’s heart fell further. He wasn’t even willing to fight for her. All his talk earlier about not needing her brother’s permission, about how pretty she was …

She couldn’t think about it now. It hurt too much to think that Beck had asked her out for some reason other than he might’ve liked her.

“Personal issues aside, I do need you to tell me if she threatens you or tries to kidnap you or anything,” Beck said firmly. “It’s my duty as Master of Light to protect witchlings.”

“Fine.”

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“No.”

“Morgan,” he sighed. “Please. For me. Even if you hate me after tonight. Dawn can’t be allowed to hurt people.”

“I know that,” she snapped. “Why else do you think I stood up for you? I know what she was doing to you.”

“No one can know that.”

“I can. I felt your pain. I want to destroy it … she was hurting you, and I can’t … I can’t stand …” Her voice broke. She looked out the window again, hands clenched in her lap.

“You’re like an angry guardian angel,” he said, amused. “A beautiful, sweet, angry little angel.” The skin around his eyes softened with his long look.

“Too bad you only go for blondes,” she said.

“Ouch. Yeah. I am so sorry about that. I was trying to protect you. She has a way of making my girlfriends disappear.”

“No need for her to worry. I’m not your girlfriend.”

Beck said nothing for a long moment. Then, “You’re right. Whatever this is between us, we have to walk away.”

Whatever this is. His words startled her. So he felt it, too? It wasn’t just her?

“Can I ask you something?” he asked.

She glanced at him.

“What you said to Dawn. Has someone hurt you, too?”

Morgan frowned. “You say we’re walking away then want to know my secrets?”

“I get it. I can’t have it both ways. Never mind.”

They fell into quiet. Morgan reviewed the disastrous night in her mind. She’d been truly happy to be there with him looking at the lights, before the Dawn incident.

Just when something good happened, a horrible person came along to take away her joy. She was so sick of it. In two weeks, she’d be gone. She could start over somewhere else. Maybe even pretend not to be a witchling, not to have fire magick.

Yet she liked sitting so close to Beck. His magick centered her, and he claimed to feel something for her, though to what extent, she didn’t know.

Torn, she said nothing all the way back to the school. He pulled in front of the main schoolhouse. The lights were out, except for those in the living area. Morgan glanced at the waiting school then at Beck.

“Thank you for taking me to see the lights,” she said.

“You’re welcome.” His voice was hushed again. She couldn’t see much of his face in the dark car. “I really am sorry things ended up the way they did tonight.”

“Me, too,” she murmured. Her heartbeat quickened. She hesitated before asking, “You … feel something between us?”

Beck flipped on the overhead light and met her gaze. He offered a small smile.

“Yeah, I do.”

She studied him. He didn’t look away, and his features were open.

“But, I don’t want to put you in danger, and I’m not experienced enough as the Master of Light to ensure your safety,” he added. “So, I guess that settles that.”

His direct gaze stirred her body in a way earth magick couldn’t mute.

“I guess,” she agreed. “About settling things. Not about being good at your job. You are, Beck. I can see that much.”

“Thanks. Can we end on a peaceful note? Friends?” he asked, holding out his hand.

She took his with a nod. They shook, but he didn’t let go, and she didn’t pull away. His warm touch amplified the elemental magick in her blood.

“Do you?” he asked after a long silence. “Feel something?”

“No,” she said stubbornly.

He laughed.

“Maybe.” She allowed a trace of a smile to escape.

“And we have to walk away.”

“We can’t see each other,” she agreed.

Beck’s grip on her hand was firm and gentle. She wondered what it would be like if he held her the way she saw Decker holding Summer at the boardwalk. The intensity of his direct gaze caused heat to creep up her face.

“Okay then. Can I ask you for a favor?” he asked.

“You want me to light Dawn’s house on fire?”

He smiled and shook his head.

“What?” she asked curiously.

“Since we both agreed that we’ll never see each other after tonight … can I kiss you?”