magic back?” He crossed his arms behind his head as he smiled.
“What are you talking about?” I glanced at the door, making sure we were still alone.
“I discovered a little-known fact a while back. I’d borrowed the gem, trying to impress a girl I liked. Your magic surges a little stronger when you’re with someone you’re attracted to. You can’t pull back when he’s with you.”
“Hawk’s attractive, but I don’t want to be with him.” I didn’t even want to be here, let alone anything more. It didn’t matter what that stupid gem did or what crazy theories Zab had. I didn’t.
“I understand.” He said it in a way that sounded like he didn’t understand at all.
I might’ve left it there if the corners of his mouth would stay flat. “I don’t. Your theory is wrong. Very wrong.”
“And I believe you.”
“I don’t think you do.”
“For the record, the more you protest, the more I don’t believe you.” He was barely holding back the laughter again.
“Then I won’t say another word on it because I don’t need to.” I narrowed my eyes at him, making sure he understood how serious I was.
He smiled wider.
“And don’t be sharing this crazy idea with anyone else,” I said, not that Zab tended toward gossip.
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. Do you think I want to have to deal with the Belinda hysterics? She’s already bad enough. I won’t tell a soul. There’s nothing to tell.” He shook his head, pressing his lips together.
“Right. There’s nothing.”
We both heard the front door opening again, and I gave him a last warning glare. He made a locking motion in front of his lips and then tossed the invisible key right as Hawk stepped back inside.
He walked over and held out a single folded card to me. “The invite is here.”
The cardstock was incredibly thick, and I ran a finger over my name, neatly engraved on the outside. I broke the waxy seal holding it closed.
I’d be pleased to have you join me at my home tomorrow evening for drinks.
Raydam
Suddenly, it felt like everyone in Xest knew me or wanted me for something. My entire life, I’d been average. Average height, average hair, average everything, as far as what people saw. The way some people constantly maneuvered to place themselves in the spotlight was the way I cultivated my way into the shade. My hair had always been kept just long enough to work in a bun. My eyes were never lined, lashes never had mascara. My nails were always unpolished and short. My shirts were baggy, and my jeans flattened my curves, rather than flattered.
When you had a mother like mine, one who was a natural beacon for attention of the wrong sort, average was the greatest gift of survival. Average kept you alive while others burned in the harsh light.
Unfortunately, my days of average looked to be over, at least here in Xest. It was as if the spotlight had finally found me and I couldn’t shake it loose, no matter how I cursed or screamed.
“Any luck?” Hawk asked, pointing at the abandoned gem on the table.
“She’s starting to pull it in. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.” Zab shrugged and shook his head. “I mean…” He threw his hands up. “She’s just got too much to completely hide without a lot more time than she’s got.”
I walked to the window. The snow was falling, but my attention was solely on the invite. Hawk’s attention was on me, as he watched with eagle eyes.
“I’m going to come with you. You’re not ready to deal with him on your own,” Hawk said, as if that made it so.
I waved the invite. “The invitation is for me alone. I don’t think you’re wanted.” I turned and met his gaze. “Coming along isn’t going to do anything but make it look like you need to guard me or I’ll jump ship. Maybe that’s what you believe or why you keep all your secrets so close to your vest, like there might be a traitor in your midst. Point is, you march in there with me, and they’ll know why you’re there. Then we’ll leave. If they have any kind of determination, they won’t stop until they get me alone anyway. All you’ll do is prolong this and drag it out. Bottom line is, they know. Everyone knows.” I was never going to be able to hide in the shadows again as long as I was here.
Zab nodded.