Page 85 of Echoes of the Banshee

Have you ever even been to a mall?

It’s not exactly a secret lair.

That’s not the no-questions part.

It’s what I need to do there.

Hmm. Alright.

But on the condition that you come to the Halloween party at Dylan’s pack house.

Do I have to dress up?

YES!

Damn you. Fine. I’ll be there.

I put the phone away as the teacher starts the lecture.

Heavy boots echo in the hallway followed by Fable coming in. She takes the seat next to me as she gets a side eye from the teacher.

She smells like blood.

When class is over, I’m following her down the stairs when I see Benson.

“Fable, can I buy you lunch?” I ask.

She looks a little confused but agrees, I wave at Benson and walk right past him, Fable leads us to the nightblind cafeteria and honestly, I could kiss her.

Am I a bad person? Maybe.

Coward? Definitely.

Fable grabs a cheap sandwich as I pile my tray full. I start piling things on hers too as she objects.

“I didn’t get to finish my breakfast and don’t want to look fat.” Not entirely a lie, but I heard her stomach growl during class. We head to a small booth and sit. She pulls off her fingerless gloves and starts picking at her food in silence.

“Thanks for having lunch with me,” I hedge. She looks up and meets my eyes. “Do you mind if I—” I wave my hand around.

“Um, sure.”

I cast a quick illusion spell that makes it sound like we’re talking about shoes.

“Now we can talk freely,” I tell her.

“What do you need?”

Witches have really ruined my ability to make friends.

“Honestly, I needed an excuse to avoid someone. But also wanted to ask if you were okay. You’re bleeding.”

“Who are you avoiding?” she asks, taking a bite of the fruit I put on her tray.

“It seems you’re avoiding the question.” She presses her lips together. “I’m avoiding my friend I had a wet dream about.”

Her eyes get huge and then she snorts.

“That seems rational.” She smiles. “Aren’t you witches a bit, free? Just get him out of your system.”