Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(48)

Beck made his way through the forest and returned to the dorms. He walked by Adam’s room, stopped then retraced his steps and knocked.

Adam opened the door.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Beck asked.

“She’s funny but she said yes,” Adam said. “Morgan’s going to the fundraiser with me.”

“Awesome, thanks. I owe you one.” Beck started away, happy his plan worked.

“Wait, Beck,” Adam followed him onto the wooden walkway that ran down the front of the boys’ dorms. “Can I ask why you want me to take her?”

Beck hesitated. “I’m worried about her.”

“You couldn’t ask her?”

I’m not taking the chance someone dimes me out to Dawn. Beck kept his initial response to himself while trying to figure out what to say. He was afraid of leaving Morgan alone on campus and even more afraid of Dawn discovering he’d asked the fireball out on a real date. Too many people would be at the dinner for them not to mention him arriving with Morgan on his arm.

“You’re awesome, Adam. I appreciate it. Someday, I’ll tell you,” he said and smiled. He left before Adam could ask him anything else about it.

How bad was it that he didn’t feel like he could trust anyone on campus anymore? He didn’t know what Dawn’s plan was in sending Alexa twice to confront Morgan. Decker said there were three other Dark teens with Alexa the second time.

What happened if there was a third encounter?

Beck entered his room, troubled.

No one was going to hurt his Morgan. She was already in danger. Maybe pushing her away was no longer going to work. Embracing how he felt about her was difficult.

Was there a way to do both? To be with the girl he was falling for and keep her safe?





Chapter Thirteen


Morgan was muttering irritably under her breath when the valet opened the car door. Adam was nice, but awkward, saying nothing to her after he told her she looked nice.

The ski lodge was large and made of logs with warm light splashing from the brightly lit interior onto the snow outside the windows. The night was cold enough that she used her fire magick to keep her warm. Valets took Adam’s car and parked it on one side of the dark drive.

Adam offered her his arm, and she took it. Together, they walked into a bustling foyer filled with women in black or beige dresses and men in tuxedos. A wrought iron chandelier was bright overhead, the stone floor and log walls rendering the massive space warm and inviting. Morgan admired the natural décor of the foyer. The sconces on the walls held real live flames, and the sight of them and the blazing hearths eased her tension at being surrounded by so many strangers.

She felt a little underdressed. Her prom dress seemed a little cheesy compared to the elegant black gowns of the women around her. She’d worn her hair down in an attempt to keep her shoulders warm, and the riotous curls were tumbling everywhere.

“Those are Beck’s parents,” Adam said, pointing to one side of an open set of huge doors.

Morgan rose onto her tiptoes to see where he indicated. A tall, lean man and small woman were on one side of the door with the twins, greeting people as they went into the ballroom, where dinner would be served.

Her gaze lingered on the twins. Decker appeared irritated, though Summer looked serene and open as she greeted guests alongside the family that had welcomed her as one of their own. Beck’s infamous smile was wide and friendly. He seemed so confident and self-assured. Morgan didn’t feel that way, even when she won sparring matches. What did it feel like not to live in fear?

Better, what would it feel like, being with someone who really could handle the mess that was her life? She didn’t know if Beck could – or would want to – but he was always so sure of himself. It would be nice to trust someone like him, knowing he wasn’t going to hurt her the way others did.

He was there alone. No date. Why hadn’t he asked her? Morgan shook her head to clear it of the stupid thoughts. Beck wanted nothing to do with her and already made her cry, even if he didn’t mean to.

“Those are my parents,” Adam said, pointing somewhere else. “If we avoid them, we can sit in back and escape early.”

She laughed.

“Too late,” he said and sighed.

His parents were waving. They started towards him. Both were tall and slender. His mother wore a navy blue cocktail dress and strands of pearls while his father was in a black tux with a cummerbund that matched his wife’s dress.

“Is this beautiful young lady Jenna?” his mother asked.

“Oh, no,” Adam answered quickly. “This is my friend, Morgan. Beck asked me to bring her.”

Morgan glared at him. “Because apparently, I can’t get a date on my own.”

“I doubt that, sweetie,” his mother said. “You look gorgeous.”

Morgan blushed, uncertain why the compliment made her happy. She wanted to interrogate Adam about Beck asking him to bring her but couldn’t in front of his parents.

“Will you be sitting with us, Adam?” his father asked.

“Um, no. We’re sitting with some friends from school,” Adam replied. “Is that cool?”

“Yes, that’s cool.”

A high-pitch chime sounded.

“Time to head in,” his mother said, motioning Morgan forward. “Are you new here?”