100% That Witch - Celia Kyle Page 0,25

beside Aurora, smiling lazily, and laced his woman’s waist with one arm.

“You guys are in a good mood,” he commented.

“Always,” Kelly said. “How did the trip go?”

“It was all right,” Dane said. “I’m just happy to be back, if I’m honest. Ft. Lauderdale is cool and all, but nothing beats Othercross. Anyway, I’m gonna take the bags upstairs.” He gave the girls a little wave and disappeared up the steps.

“How about you?” Tiffany asked, eyeing Aurora with devious anticipation. “Did you have fun in Ft. Lauderdale, future sister-in-law?”

Aurora narrowed her eyes at Tiffany, confusion washing over her face, and then gave Kelly a what-is-she-talking-about glance. Before either could say a thing though, Hollow House decided to announce itself.

The kitchen windows darkened and all the cupboards opened at once. A second later, the doors slammed shut, the sound of it loud enough to wake a sleeping giant. Tiffany frowned. It seemed like the house hadn’t appreciated her sister-in-law joke.

“What crawled up your butt and died?” Tiffany asked, looking up at the ceiling as if the house would answer her. That didn’t happen, of course, and so she turned to the house’s confidant and specialized translator. “What’s up with the house, Kell? She’s in a mood today.”

Before Kelly could answer, the clock on the wall chimed, and Tiffany’s eyes were drawn toward it.

“Oh, shit,” she muttered, springing to her feet. She grabbed her last piece of toast and gave a still-confused Aurora a half-hug as she passed. “Gotta run! Can’t be late for the test!”

She ran upstairs, and the house opened her bedroom door for her. The wardrobe was already open, so she held out one hand. Despite its previous moodiness, the house flung a selection of dark clothes Tiffany’s way. Five minutes later, she was out the door and running for OCU.

She was making her way across campus when she noticed an overly excited fairy waving at her. Ryan cut through a throng of students, his wings poking out from the back of his leather jacket, before stopping right in front of her.

“Walk with me,” Tiffany said, sidestepping him. “I’m on my way to a test. I can’t be late.”

“Look at her go,” Ryan said with a laugh, flicking his hand at her. “Miss Exemplary Student. Making Dad proud, are we?”

“Trying to,” she replied, shuddering as she remembered the last phone call she’d had with her father. Hopefully, the next one would be better—but that would only happen if she screwed her head on straight and turned her academic score around. Now that Nero was helping her, she actually felt hopeful.

“So, what’s the latest?” Ryan cooed in a sing-song voice

He didn’t need to go into detail. Tiffany knew exactly what news Ryan was looking for, and it had nothing to do with her impending engagement. The problem was that now she’d gotten to know Nero better, she didn’t feel comfortable dishing about him. Besides, it wasn’t like she had uncovered anything juicy. Aside from the fact that Nero and Nathan were Beloveds, that was.

She let out a heavy sigh, trying to muster the necessary courage to break the news to him. It was best if she just ripped off the Band-Aid. If Ryan heard the truth, maybe he’d be able to move on and find the right person. More than anyone she knew, he needed to open his eyes and see the truth about how futile a relationship with Nathan was. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Ry, but Nathan and Nero, they’re... well, they’re Beloveds.”

“What?” Ryan cried, his voice rising in pitch so much, a few heads turned their way. “How exactly do you know that? C’mon, Tiffany, that can’t be true!”

“But it is true,” Tiffany insisted, slowing her step as she came into view of her classroom. She turned to face Ryan and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Nero told me himself. I’m so sorry.”

Ryan’s face turned into something out of a comic book—all wide eyes and a shocked pallor. Oh, and the mouth that fell open. He stood there for a moment, totally stunned, and then he blinked and started shaking his head.

“No. Uh uh. Not buying it.” His brow furrowed and his lips moved like maybe he was cursing Tiffany under his breath. When he finally looked back up at her, his crestfallen expression had been replaced by a stubborn one. “I don’t believe it. I really don’t. I know Nathan and we... we have a thing! Those two can’t be Beloveds. They just can’t!”

Tiffany squeezed