Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(27)

“You know that’s not the case.”

“No one wants anything to do with me. I’m the one who’s stuck with a kid!”

Noah glanced at her. They both resembled their mother, who in her youth had been one of the most popular supermodels in history. With blond hair and blue-grey eyes, Noah had their father’s height and their mother’s carved-from-stone looks, much like Dawn.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” he asked. “No one told me what was going on until last week. I got a call from dad’s attorney, asking me to be a character witness. Why? Because my pregnant sister is suspected of kidnapping someone.”

“You never should’ve left me here alone with these people to start off with,” Dawn retorted.

“Yeah, well, I had my own issues. Dad’s almost broke, and the company is going under. Someone’s gotta help him figure it out.”

“Oh and I’m incapable?”

“Dammit, Dawn, don’t be so bitchy. We both have things we’re dealing with,” he replied.

“You have no idea what I’ve been through,” she returned. “Beck is already seeing someone else! Like I never meant anything to him!” Three weeks after I delivered a message I thought was clear. Tanya’s death had been an accident when Alexa went a little crazy doing what Dawn asked her to. In any case, Dawn was glad she was dead; she hoped it would drive Beck back to her or at least, keep him away from other girls.

Taking out Autumn – the girl Summer was disguised as to complete her trial – was a second failed message. That one nearly cost Dawn her life and that of her child. She learned one thing from that encounter: becoming personally involved was too much of a risk. If she lost the baby, she lost the money. Though some days, she wanted Beck to feel her pain so badly, she considered an out of state abortion.

But then, he’d be off the hook. She would never win. Maybe one day, he’d realize how much easier life would be if they were together. She wasn’t certain what it would take for him to understand her; she just had to keep reminding him. Every time they crossed paths, Beck was confident and smiling. Unaffected. Uncaring. His life wasn’t changing, but hers was. The kid’s trust fund and child support would help replace the money her father no longer sent her, which in turn, might give her another shot at modeling. She could do what her mother did: marry the richest man around to take care of her.

It’s what the plan was with Beck, only it didn’t go that way. Dawn got pregnant and Beck dumped her, like the playboy he was.

Master of Light? Was there no right and wrong in the world? What of their daughter?

I can help you.

Dawn shook her head.

“You really have to move on,” Noah said.

“I’m having his kid, Noah. What part of that don’t you get?”

“I don’t know what else to say, Dawn.” Noah sighed. “I’m here to support you. I plan on talking to Beck this week. We used to be friends. I’ll try to help make peace between you two.”

“I don’t want you talking to him,” she snapped. “I can do this myself.”

“Whatever.”

They reached the Dark Campus at the edge of Priest River. It was larger than the Light Campus, with its own football field. Everything was new, from the track around the field to the dorms and the buildings housing classrooms. The population of Dark to Light students had been two to one for some time, and the campus reflected the widening gap.

“I’ve got my deposition in the morning, but I’ll be back by lunch tomorrow. Do you want to sit down and talk?” Noah asked. He stopped the car at the curb next to her dorm.

“No one listens anyway,” she complained. “You won’t say anything bad tomorrow will you?”

“Of course not,” he replied. “I know you’re getting screwed over. I’m your brother.”

Dawn softened. Though Noah was a year younger than her, he had always been a good friend and great brother. His calm nature came from dealing with her and their mother, whose diva-like antics made Dawn look like an angel.

“Thank you, Noah,” she said, tears in her eyes. She leaned over and hugged him. Just when she thought no one cared, there was Noah. As usual. He left soon after his witchling trial was complete last year and went to help the struggling family business. She didn’t realize she missed her brother until the moment he was one of her only allies.

“If you need anything, call. I’m across the parking lot in the boys dorm,” he replied and returned the hug.

“I will,” Dawn said. She climbed out of the car and hurried to the dorms, chilled by the cold, Idaho night.

The Dark witchlings had enough dorms that no one needed a roommate, unlike the Light Campus. She found herself enjoying her own private space for once. The small dorm room was more of an apartment with a living area and kitchenette, a private bedroom, and a bathroom. Most importantly, there were tons of closets for all her designer clothing.

Dawn flipped on the lights and stopped in the middle of her living room. The heat wasn’t on. She went to the thermostat, pissed, and checked it. It read seventy-one degrees, where she preferred it. But it was almost colder here than outside.

You’re ignoring me.

This time, she was certain it wasn’t air magick. She had no idea what it could be. The voice came from inside her head and yet, she distinctly heard it, as if it were outside her head, too.