Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(7)

“Hey guys,” he said, approaching with a smile. “How’s life?”

“You come back from one vacay just in time for the holiday break?” Isaac, a beefy blond air witchling, teased. “Lame!”

“I wish,” Beck replied. “Family business to take care of. It was definitely no break.”

The two didn’t ask; everyone knew his business, as much as he wished they didn’t. His pregnant ex-girlfriend, who had recently gone Dark, and the death of the last girl he’d been dating … Those kinds of secrets didn’t stay private for long, once police and lawyers started interviewing people for character references.

He’d had no down time until arriving to the school campus yesterday, where he’d immediately plunged into his next big problem: salvaging the Light beneath the school.

“This tree is bigger than last year’s,” the second guy, Adam, observed. The teen was tall and geeky with a shy smile and glasses. “Hopefully no storm blows it over this year.”

Beck glanced at Connor. He wasn’t certain what he expected – maybe that the boy was able to read his thoughts about Morgan? – but Connor smiled much more warmly than he had when they first met. Beck took it as a good sign. From everything Amber said, the brooding Connor had bloomed quickly at the school.

“Hey, Connor, you got a minute?” Beck asked.

“If you want to date my sister, the answer is no,” Connor said instantly.

Beck laughed. “I take it you’re getting a lot of guys asking her out?”

“Too many,” the elder brother grumbled.

“I promise – that’s not it.” Beck wasn’t certain why the news irked him. He wasn’t surprised, though. Morgan was beautiful.

With similar pine-colored eyes but dark hair, Connor appeared curious. Beck nodded his head towards the small bonfire closer to the school, where they could talk in private.

“It is about Morgan,” Beck started when they both reached the warmth of the fire.

Connor crossed his arms with a knowing look.

“No, it’s not what you think. She’s having some problems in school,” Beck started awkwardly. “Not problems, just … I guess she’s not adapting.”

Connor frowned.

“Amber says she’s unresponsive in all her classes except fire magick.”

The teen across from him looked away, towards the Christmas tree. He was quiet, so Beck continued.

“Amber’s got two choices: put her in counseling –”

“Counseling?” Connor flushed.

“– or have your parents come get her.”

Connor stared at him. For a moment, he seemed too shocked to respond. Finally, he shook his head.

“I’ll talk some sense into her,” he snapped then fell quiet again.

“Okay,” Beck said. “Is there something we should know about? Does she hate it here? Have a roommate she can’t stand? Anything?”

The teen averted his gaze again. Beck sensed the same wall going up that Morgan had around her; there was something else going on, and neither sibling seemed willing to share.

“She doesn’t need counseling. There’s nothing wrong with her,” Connor said, anger in his voice. “You can’t send her home. Not now. It took …” he stopped. “Never mind. I’ll talk to her and find you.”

“I’ll ask Amber to hold off calling your parents then.”

“Calling my parents?” Connor’s eyes glittered. “I swear to god, if anyone calls our father, I’ll …” furious, he stormed off.

Beck watched him, not at all understanding what was wrong with the teen or why the mention of parents or counseling set him off. He had hoped Connor was the calmer of the two and yet, even being a water element, Connor’s temper was just as quick to light on fire as his beautiful sister’s.

He joined Adam and a few other guys to watch the tree. It was up and secured in place; the workers were bringing in massive ladders needed to start decorating. The students decorated the bottom six feet of the tree, but the top layers were too high to do so safely.

Beck’s phone vibrated, indicating a message. He checked it.

Stop sending your lawyers to do your dirty work! Just talk to me, you coward.

Yeah, not the message he wanted. Unaffected after weeks of similar texts, he locked the screen of his smart phone and replaced it in his pocket. Restlessness descended over him. He hoped to escape Dawn’s texts for at least half a day of peace. It wasn’t going to happen.

Beck rubbed his face. No, he was going to have to stay focused. Maybe it was better if Morgan left school, even if for a little while.

As if sensing his determination to avoid her, the elements thrust Morgan back into his line of sight. The girl was furious; her face was flushed, her eyes sparking. She all but ran from the direction where he last saw her, her hair fluttering around her like flames. The snow beneath her feet melted.

“Morgan!” Connor cried. “Dammit, can’t you just listen to reason for once?”

“It’s not reason just because you say it is!” she retorted. “Go to hell, Connor!”

“Morgan!”

She ignored him and rushed into the main house, slamming the door behind her. Connor let out an exasperated sigh and stopped beside Beck. Beck stared after her, surprised as much by her reaction as he was to how pretty she was, even when upset.