Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(41)

As she watched, the fog reappeared and swallowed him. When it dissipated, he was gone.

“Did he just disappear?” she asked.

Beck nodded and stepped closer. He lifted her chin and for a long moment, she completely forgot about her ankle and face. His teal eyes were warm, his touch reminding her how dangerous it was to be around him. She’d wrangled her coat free but did not put it on, and it was the warmth of Beck’s body and magick that comforted her from the chilly afternoon.

“What happened?” he asked softly.

She shrugged, but didn’t move away.

“C’mon, Morgan. This has got to stop. I know Alexa does Dawn’s dirty work. If they are trying to hurt you, I need to know.” His tone was firm this time. The gentle jokester had been replaced by the protector, the revered Master of Light, who for some reason, was worried about her.

He pushed curls from her face. His gentle touch made her want to move closer.

She faltered.

“Talk to me.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I thought this morning was an accident, but I guess she came looking for me, and I scared her off. There were three this time.”

“I’m sure they left in worse shape than you’re in,” he said with a small smile. “One of my gifts as the Light Master is the ability to use earth magick to heal. Will you let me help you?”

She hesitated again.

“Take the pain away? Like you do for me?”

Morgan almost smiled. She liked that she could help him. His earth magick was strong enough to float through her body at their nearness, but it was desire that sizzled in her blood, making her too aware of his scent and heat. She felt silly to know how much he affected her.

She nodded.

Beck took her hands, and warmth pushed into her body. The stinging of her cheek and the pulsing of her ankle faded.

“Wow,” she said, mind on how many days she’d had to bear through the pain of hidden bruises at school in New York. More than she could ever count. What was worse: the days where she’d been too hurt to go to school. With a skill like Beck’s, she wouldn’t have to try to hide the truth from her teachers anymore. “I think you need to come home with me.”

Something dark crossed Beck’s features, and he studied her, concerned. Abruptly, she realized what she’d said. “That came out wrong,” she said quickly. “I’m not inviting you over. Even though you own the school. I just meant … healing is a cool ability to have.”

“I’ll take care of you, Morgan.”

She almost protested, but there was something in his eyes that stopped her. Did he … could he somehow know about her past? The way he spoke said he did, but she didn’t think it was possible. She wasn’t sure what made him say what he did or even if he could take care of her, but suddenly, she wanted to believe he might be able to. It was hard to live in distrust of everyone around her. Sometimes, she just wanted to take a chance not to be alone, but she was afraid to.

“A word of advice: stay on campus from now on, okay? If you want to wander into the forest, come get me. I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

He was more serious than she’d seen him. His intensity left her rattled. The long, intimate moment fed her fear that she liked him too much already. If he liked her just as much, she’d hurt him when she left. Morgan never wanted to hurt the boy before her.

“You ready to walk back?” he asked, the lightness returning. He released her hands, the connection of their magick broken.

“Okay.”

“Walking away.” He stepped back and winked. “Don’t want you to beat me up again.”

There were moments when she felt the connection between them and believed she could not only trust him with her secrets, but with her life as well. Then there were those where she sensed he was trying to put distance between them. Right now, he was trying to do the latter.

He turned away and started through the forest.

She didn’t quite understand him. The changes in his behavior left her trying to determine who he really was: the guy who kissed her as if she meant something to him or the guy who only slept with blondes and was just being nice.

“You okay?” he asked over his shoulder.

“Fine.” She trailed.

They said nothing else the entire journey back to the schoolhouse. Beck walked up the stairs to the school and opened the door for her. His smile was friendly, his gaze on someone in the living area. He barely seemed aware of her.

When she stepped inside, she saw why. The hot blonde who just arrived was standing in the foyer, dressed in ski gear. Sonya was at her side, and the two seemed to be waiting for a third person to join them.

Morgan felt horrible. Beck didn’t even say farewell.

She went to her room without looking back, angry and embarrassed. Those small moments that meant something to her – meant nothing to him.

She cried. She knew it was stupid, but the confrontation in the forest left her unsettled, while the on-off again of Beck confused her. She hated feeling so vulnerable around Beck.

A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Just a minute!” she called.

She splashed water on her face, hoping her eyes weren’t too red. She had no idea who to expect and went to the door.

She barely recognized the tall youth in the doorway. He was gangly with glasses and a nervous smile.