Page 131 of Echoes of the Banshee

She’s shining. Not in the usual, radiant kind of way, but with something deeper. Power hums beneath her skin, pulsing like a storm waiting to break.

And god, the sight of her: flushed, laughing, magic clinging to her like starlight. It hits me like a punch to the gut. It’s not just beauty. It’s something unworldly.

“She’s beautiful,” Benson says, almost reverently. “She’s glowing.”

“Yeah. I know.”

The words catch in my throat. I glance at him and the look on his face, the wonder in it. He sees it too and starts moving towards her.

Shit.

Thea turns toward us, laughter still on her lips as she calls the wind to dry herself off, then Mavrik, like an afterthought. Benson lunges to tackle her with a kiss. She turns quickly and heads toward Professor Tennant. Benson trails behind her.

The classroom falls into a sudden hush as Tennant waves her hand, swiftly dismissing the class. The students file out quickly, casting furtive glances at us, and I notice the way they linger as they leave, sensing something isn’t quite right. Thea waves goodbye to them all. I realize I’ve never seen all the misfits together, and well, there isn’t a better word than misfits.

Mavrik comes over and stands beside me.

“Thea said he was cursed,” he says. “Do you need help with anything?”

“I don’t think so.” We wait as the last of the stragglers leave.

“You coming to the party tonight?” I ask.

“Oh, uh.” He looks around the room then drops his head. “I didn’t realize I was invited.”

“I told you the shifters are having a party… and didn’t officially invite you. My bad.”

He looks at me and gives me a one-sided smile.

“Thanks. That’s my first party invitation in… as long as I can remember. I have a—” he looks around the room to ensure no one else can hear us. “Livestream tonight.”

“Oh cool. What’s your username so I can share it.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He looks away shyly.

“I know. I want to. I won’t tell anyone,” I promise.

“You already follow me. You’ve sent me… messages before.” He blushes now.

“That honestly doesn’t narrow it down as much as you would think,” I joke.

“Callsign: Shadow,” he whispers.

Benson, still lost in his lovesick haze, starts talking again, rambling about how beautiful Thea is, how he loves her, how they’re going to have a hundred babies. It’s almost too much to hear. She looks at me then, and I see the sadness in her eyes. I don’t know what we’re waiting for until Tennant steps forward. She raises her hand, casting a spell to block us off from any eavesdroppers.

“Explain,” she says simply, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

“There’s a rumor that Benson and I are dating, the witch from my coven appears to have given him an enchanted object. He’s acting — strange?” she adds, glancing at me.

“Yes,” I explain. “He wasn’t paying attention in crafting, his favorite class, and kept talking about how nice the witch is. Then he kept saying how much he loves Thea, even though they’re not dating.”

Tennant starts walking toward Benson, who’s still staring at Thea with an expression of awe, completely disengaged.

“The necklace,” I add.

The moment I speak, Benson freaks out. “Don’t touch it!”

Thea’s voice softens, her tone warm but laced with a knowing power. “B,” she coos, moving closer to him. “Can you show her that handsome necklace of yours? She’s going to make me one to match.”