Page 99 of Echoes of the Banshee

My heartrate accelerates as oxytocin floods my system.

“We’re friends?” I say before I can stop myself.

She huffs out a laugh. “Yes, Mavrik.”

A smile spreads across my face and she returns it.

“Are you free tonight to train?” she asks.

“Yes.”

For you, always a yes.

Thea

A Series of Unfortunate Thoughts

Mavrik’s smile lights up his face.

Did he not know if we were friends?

He honestly reminds me of Adora in so many ways.

How can I ask if he’s a banshee in a way that won’t be obvious?

Lazlo was so tight lipped about it, for obvious reasons. I don’t think Mavrik trusts me anywhere near enough to tell me something that could get him killed. The class starts to fill up and I see him shutting down. Turning into as much a shadow as the one dancing across my desk. I let it play between my fingers.

When class is over, Mavrik says his shadows insist he walk me to English. Same excuse he used last night, they really do seem to have a mind of their own. When I woke up, the shadows had me almost in a protective cocoon. He doesn’t talk much, keeps his head down. Not as free as he is when we’re alone. When I see Benson, I tell the shadows I’m safe and head towards him.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he asks.

“Better, thank you.”

“Zair texted and said you were…” he trails off.

“Yes, it’s back almost to normal, benefit of being weak,” I joke.

He scratches his jaw and gives me a look that obviously says he knows I’m full of crap and is choosing not to call me on it. I press my lips together to cover the smile.

“Thea!” Anita calls shrilly. Great.

“I’d better go, see you after class.” He nods and steps into his class and I head towards the stairs. Anita falls into step beside me. She doesn’t shut up and I don’t listen to a word she says.

I sit down next to Fable in class and Anita makes a face like it smells and storms off.

“What’s her problem?” she asks.

“I think that I talked to a goblin.”

“Ah yes, the great sin. Talking to people who are scared of you.”

I smirk at her.

“Thanks for letting me borrow your gloves.” I grab them from my bag and she wrinkles her nose as she takes them. “I’ll have you know, I got quite a reputation from wearing those.”

“Oh, were you around a shifter?” she looks alarmed.

“Just Dylan. He’s cool.”