“Clairvoyance spells are extremely difficult,” Nic said when I’d finished explaining my plan. “They often go bad or don’t work at all. You’re better off enlisting the help of a psychic witch.”
“But I don’t know any psychic witches, and besides, I’ve never seen Peter Girard cast a spell that went badly.”
Nic gave me a small, curious smile. “You like him, don’t you?”
“What? No,” I protested, frowning self-consciously as I cast a look at where Peter sat with Sophia on the other side of the cafeteria. They were chatting away, wrapped up in their own little bubble. “I just know he’s the most skilled warlock in the school, which means he’s my best bet for making this spell work.”
Nic’s eyes softened, and I was glad he didn’t push me to reveal my crush. “You’re probably right. I agree that you should ask for his help, and I’m happy to come along and assist. I’m no Peter Girard, but I am a dab hand with all things magical.”
“Right,” I said, suddenly feeling like I might’ve hurt Nic’s feelings by not asking him to help me in the first place. “Of course, I’d be honoured to have your assistance in this, too.”
“Happy to help. So, when are you going to ask him?”
I glanced across the cafeteria again. I could walk over there and ask right then, but fear of rejection held me back. Plus, I didn’t want to approach him with half the school looking on. No, I’d wait until he was leaving.
“Soon,” I said before returning my attention to my food. The bowl of mushroom risotto was tasty, but I had too much going on in my head to appreciate it fully.
A few minutes later, I spotted Peter rising from his seat and carrying his empty tray across the room. “That’s my cue,” I said, rising, too.
“Good luck!” Nic called after me as I followed Peter out.
I hurried to catch up with him then stopped in my tracks when I saw two members of the Guard approach him in their dark uniforms. Damn it. They’d come to take his account already. Why hadn’t I just spoken to him back in the cafeteria?
They exchanged a few words, then Peter followed them to the end of the hallway and around the corner. I exhaled a heavy breath. All I could do now was hope he told them the truth.
The rest of the day went by, but I didn’t get the chance to talk to Peter.
“Any progress?” Nic asked when he appeared at my locker after our final class. I shook my head.
“That’s too bad. I just saw Peter leaving through the school gates.”
“You did?”
Nic nodded, and my phone buzzed with a text. I pulled it from my pocket, finding a message from Dad.
Good news. The Girard boy corroborated your story. You’re in the clear.
Relief flooded me as I typed a quick response. That is good news. See you at home.
I slid my phone back into my pocket. Unfortunately, my relief was short-lived because Belinda Williams and her posse went by, all of them whispering to one another as they shot me evil glares.
Had I neglected to mention that half the school had been gossiping about me all day? Belinda had clearly started a rumour that I was the one who’d murdered her uncle. Now, people were giving me a wide berth and looking at me like I was some sort of psychotic killer.
“Well, the only plus side to discovering that body yesterday is that people are no longer talking about me,” someone said, and Nic and I turned to find Ren Tanaka standing a few lockers down. The ceiling light bounced off his nose ring, making it glint. His dark hair had been gelled into a fauxhawk, and there were several thick silver chains around his neck, not to mention tiny daggers dangling from each ear. The collar of his uniform was turned up, and he’d accessorized his blazer with several spikes and safety pins.
“I’d be happy for you, only now I’m the one being gossiped about,” I said as I shoved a few books into my locker.
Ren shot me a grimace. “Sorry about that. I guess that’s the downside of having those cute, fabulous little fangs. People think you’re gonna use them for …” he paused for dramatic effect before whispering, “Murder.”
I’d almost forgotten how my fangs had embarrassingly slipped out yesterday at the scent of all that blood. “My fangs aren’t cute.”
Ren grinned and shot me a wink. “But you agree they’re fabulous?”
I chuckled and shook my head.
“I don’t think they’re cute,” Nic said quietly beside me. “They’re fearsome and kind of sexy.”
I glanced at him, fighting a smile as I swiped him on the shoulder. “Nic!”
He flushed. “What? I’m just being honest.”
“Catch you later,” Ren said, waggling his eyebrows at Nic and me like we were flirting, which was ridiculous because we were just friends.