“I think they’re doing some kind of Cruel Intentions kind of thing,” I said, still speaking to my hands. “You know—the handsome jock gets the poor little burned girl to like him and do…whatever.” I cleared my throat. “And then he can brag to all his friends what a pathetically easy mark I was and how disgusting it was to be with me and how he had to close his eyes the whole time and…”
But my voice dried up at that point and I couldn’t go on.
“You really think that’s what he was doing?” Megan sounded horrified. “Are you sure, Kaitlyn?”
“What else could it be?” I looked up at her and then back down at my hands. “Seeing how he looks like he does and I look…like this.” I spread my hands, indicating my scarred body and face.
“I have to disagree—I think you have it all wrong, Katydid,” Avery said gently.
“What are you talking about?” I demanded, frowning at him. “What possible other reason could someone like Ari Reyes have to come around someone like me?”
Avery and Megan and Emma exchanged glances and then Avery cleared his throat.
“Well…remember a while back when I performed that scrying spell for Megan—the True Heart Revealed—to try and find out how Griffin, here, really felt about her?”
He nodded at the tall Nocturne who was sitting quietly at the table beside Megan, not speaking a word.
“Yes? So?” I asked, frowning.
“So…” Avery hesitated a moment before plunging in. “So I worked that spell for you too—only you didn’t know it.”
“What? Why?” I demanded. “I don’t appreciate you doing spells or casting magic that involves me without telling me, Avery,” I added.
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “But I worked it in order to find out Ari Reyes’ true intentions towards you. Because after the incident with Sanchez in your PE class, he started following you all around and I needed to know why.”
“He did?” I couldn’t believe it. “But…why?”
“That’s what I wanted to know,” Avery said patiently. “At first I was afraid he was stalking you to avenge Sanchez in some way—since they’re both Drakes, you know. But then I noticed that he seemed to be protecting you from Sanchez—until he got expelled, anyway. And the spell seemed to bear that out—I got a lot of very strong protective feelings from him about you when I worked it.”
“I see,” I said neutrally. I wouldn’t offend Avery for the world, but mainly what I remembered was that the results of the spell he’d worked for Megan had been inconclusive. The big silver bowl Avery had filled with water had shown us all a pretty picture of the Witch Queen and her Blood Knight but it had lacked any accompanying explanation. After seeing it, Megan still hadn’t known if it was safe to be alone with Griffin or not.
Of course, in the end it turned out that he loved her and she was perfectly safe with him—well, as safe was anyone can be with a thirsty Nocturne who hasn’t been allowed a single drop of blood in fifteen years—but the True Heart Revealed Spell hadn’t really helped much at all.
So excuse me for not believing that this same spell had somehow shown Avery that Ari was a good guy who was just watching out for me rather than a rich royal jerk who wanted a laugh at my expense.
“Maybe you should give him another chance,” Avery suggested. “Maybe just talk to him?”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Avery, but I’m not comfortable with that.” I looked up at Griffin. “Thank you for standing by me and sending him away.”
He inclined his head silently and I remembered our talk the other night when he’d told me I was like a little sister to him. I appreciated that big brother protectiveness very much right about now. Of course, Avery was very protective of me too, but in this case I thought it might be possible that he was letting Ari’s good looks get in the way of his better judgment. Avery has always had a weak spot for big, handsome guys and Ari certainly qualified there.
“You don’t have to see him again if you don’t want to,” Emma said, squeezing my hand gently. “We’ll stand by you, whatever you decided to do.”
“And we’ll be keeping an eye on Nancy, too,” Megan said, frowning. “I don’t know what other nastiness she’s planned, but she’s not going to get away with any of it.”
“Thanks, guys.” I felt grateful all over again for the strength and warmth of our coven.
Little did I know that even their love couldn’t protect me from what was coming.
20
Kaitlyn
Despite its traumatic start, the rest of the week was surprisingly uneventful. I could feel Ari watching me, both in the classes we shared, and at mealtimes, but the big Drake didn’t try to approach me again, which was a relief. Or so I told myself.
We started the sewing unit in Home Ec and I taught Megan how to use a sewing machine. It was a good thing I already knew how because Mrs. Hornsby continued to treat us like we had deliberately poisoned her and would barely even speak to us. She just glared when either Megan or I tried to ask a question. So we did our best without her which, thanks to my mom being such a good teacher and seamstress herself, was actually fine.
Though I had to admit it was disconcerting to be taking a class from a woman who hated and distrusted me, I thought I might still be able to pass with enough attention to detail. I just hoped Mrs. Hornsby wouldn’t give Megan and me both an automatic F just because she disliked us so much.
Nancy and the Weird Sisters continued to serve and clean in the Cafeteria but I was
