I narrow my eyes at him. “Oh, right.”
He shifts uncomfortably and nods his head. “Really, I’m totally not stalking you. I just noticed is all. Promise.”
He crosses his heart with a pointer finger.
“Hmmm,” I say, a small laugh bleeding through my façade. “All right, all right. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I believe you.”
A relieved smile breaks across his face, lighting up his brown eyes.
“Well, I better—uh, I gotta go,” I say, pointing down the hall to nowhere in particular.
“Still want me to walk you to class? Or do you remember how to get there?” he asks, biting on the inside of his cheek.
“Oh, right. Yeah, yeah. Lead the way,” I mutter, thrusting my hand out to suggest he move out in front.
We walk the hallway in silence as students flood the halls, disrupting the awkwardness between us.
“So, how are you liking Spellcasting?” Colt asks.
I shrug. “I have no idea. It’s only been one day. I wish I understood more. This whole supernatural thing is new to me.”
“Oh, right,” he says, scrunching his face.
“Hey, you two,” Cat says, bounding down the hall and pushing her way between us.
“Hey,” I say, trying not to let the ice in my voice turn too frigid.
“Oh, come on. You’re not mad at me, are you?” she says, her forehead wrinkling. “Honestly, I only have your best interests at heart, Autumn. I really wish you knew that.”
“I’m not mad, but I am a little busy. Right, Colt?” I say, twisting to him.
He shoots an apologetic glance at Cat and nods to me. “Oh. Yeah, okay.”
Cat’s mouth pops open as I take his arm, practically pulling him down the hallway.
After a second, Colt leans close and says, “You know we’re heading the wrong way, right?”
I exhale and roll my eyes. “Of course we are.”
“Want me to take you on the scenic route so we don’t have to double back?”
“That would be lovely, yes,” I nod. “Anything to allow me to save face.”
His laugh sounds like music as he relaxes. “You know, she really does mean well.”
“I know. I just gotta give it a little time before I can let it slide. You know? I don’t like being yanked around. I appreciate you at least pointing me in a direction. I hope you know that,” I say, shooting him a sideways glance.
He grins. “Sure.”
After walking around in circles—at least, that’s how it feels, we finally end up back at the Spellcasting hallway.
“And now, I’m thoroughly lost,” I laugh. “I have no chance of finding my way back here tomorrow.”
“I can walk with you again, but show you the normal way next time,” he says, a hint of a smile hidden in the mounds of his cheeks.
“Sounds like an excellent idea,” I nod. “Thank you.”
Colt turns away, heading to wherever he needs to go next, but I run over to him and tap him on the shoulder.
“Hey, do you… I mean, would you have time to hang out after school? I’d like to learn more and maybe you could show me where this library is.”
His eyes widen in surprise, but he nods.
“Great. Do you want to meet at my place at, I don’t know, 4:30 p.m.? I need a few minutes to drop all my stuff at home and…”
“Sure, 4:30 works great,” he says, his eyes sparkling.
“Here, let me write down my address,” I begin, scrounging though my backpack for a piece of paper and a pen.
He shakes his head. “No need. I know where you are.”
My head snaps up, “You do?”
“Well, yeah. We’re practically neighbors.”
“Oh right. You live across the pond.”
He steps back, surprised.
“Don’t get excited. Your sister told me,” I say, tipping my head.
“Ah.”
“Speaking of which, I suppose I better go make up with her in Spellcasting or she’ll be on me for the rest of the day. See ya later,” I say, waving.
He nods and turns on his heel like a toy soldier sent on a mission.
Walking into class, I take my seat beside Cat. She glances up as I sit down and I manage a smile.
“Hey, I’d be pissed too, if I knew people where withholding information from me. I’m sorry, Autumn,” Cat says, her eyebrows tipping up apologetically.
“I know. Look, let’s just say going forward, no more secrets. Okay? Colton’s going to come over tonight to show me where the county library is. Wanna come with?”
Her eyes widen. “I—are you sure? I mean, you aren’t leading him on, are you?”
I snort. “Of course not. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“N-nothing. You know, nevermind. Yes, I’d love to come, too. Especially since I’m the driver,” Cat says, smirking. “Colton has, as of yet, to get his license. He’s just not in a big hurry, I guess.”
“Okay, it’s settled. Colton’s promised to point me in the right direction to get answers. If I can get my bearings, I can figure out what Dominic’s problem is.”
“You’ll probably find more than you bargained for…” she says, her voice trailing off. “I just hope you’re ready.”
Chapter 15
Library & Dead Ancestors
Do you ever know when you’re ready to face big truths? Is there an internal clock of knowing? Or is it more of a slap in the face that puts you on the path of discovery?
Racing to the front door, I swing it open to face Colt and Cat’s wide eyes.
“Hey guys,” I say, trying to ignore the way their stares at my house make me totally uncomfortable. “Ready?”
The pair of them nod, but no words escape from their mouths.
“Erm…you guys okay?” I ask, unsure how else to respond.
“Ah, yeah. Fine. It's just…wow, Blackwood Manor,” Cat says, an air of awe lingering in her voice.
Colton’s expression is identical to his sister’s and I scrunch my face
“I know, it’s actually pretty cool,” I say, closing the door behind me, “right?”
They both blink back their surprise, but nod.
“Yeah…uh, it is,” Cat mutters, turning to face her SUV.
Walking up to their Pontiac Torrent, Cat opens the driver’s side door and hops inside. Colt walks around to the passenger
