Page 68 of Echoes of the Banshee

“That’s very cool. Why didn’t you keep up your lessons? Did he move?” I ask eagerly.

Her face falls and I know what happened before the words are out of her mouth.

“He died in the same accident as my parents.”

Oh, that’s worse. She looks down at her plate as she composes herself.

“I’m so sorry.” It’s a stupid idea. Zair touches her. I reach out and very hesitantly touch her hand. Her eyes jerk to mine.

I squeeze it gently then pull back.

She quirks a smile. “It’s fine. Just hadn’t thought of him in a long time. Tell me about this knife.”

And I do. Telling her details I know that she has no way of understanding but she doesn’t seem to care. She asks me a dozen different questions about the form and when it’s time to head to my geology class, I have a new idea for my blade to work on during crafting.

“What class do you have today?” I ask as I take her tray and toss it.

“Advanced Curses,” she says, watching me for a reaction.

“Oh — um — is it fun?”

“It usually smells really bad,” she says with a smile. “Curses smell and breaking them smells worse. What class do you have?”

“Geology.”

“Does it smell?” she asks and I bust out laughing, drawing attention from a few witches as we head outside. Zair stands at the sound and waves, walking over to us.

“Hey,” he says, looking giddy as he reaches out to take Thea’s bag. I should’ve thought of that. We all walk together and when I’m peeling off to head to my goblin classes Thea stops me.

“Hey Benson, what color is your hair?”

“Green?”

“No, what stone?”

I can’t hide the smile. “Aventurine.”

Zair raises an eyebrow and follows Thea into class. Clearly lost on the whole conversation. We’ve been friends for three years and I don’t even know what kind of magic he has, he doesn’t know that goblin hair is a gemstone.

We know everything about Dylan. He never shuts up.

Maybe I should get to know Zair better.

Thea being around is just a benefit.

Thea

Don’t Cake Under Pressure

I’ve not even picked up my fork when two witches slide into the booth. One beside me, one across. Pinning me in. They’re from my old Illusions class, before I switched. Well, lucky me. She’s close enough to stab with a fork.

“Thea! We miss you in Illusions,” Amelia says too warmly. “Why did you leave us?”

“I wasn’t any good at them,” I reply. Wondering what they want. These two aren’t close with Anita, so I don’t think she sent them. They start telling me gossip that I attempt to tune out until they get to the point.

“Speaking of rumors, I heard you went on a date with Zair Brennan,” Cora blurts. “Spill!”

“You heard wrong.”