Page 21 of The Banshee and the Warlock

"I can't do magic, remember." She clicks her fingers together as if to demonstrate, but unsurprisingly, nothing happens. "I can just about get away with the potions because the ingredients still do the magic itself, but charms..."

Something sparks a thought, and I flip through the pages of the textbook to find what I'm looking for, grateful that my memory has served me well. "You're in luck." I push the book over to Anja so she can see what I'm looking at.

"It's not a charm." There's a hint of awe in her voice.

"It is a charm. Just not the kind of charm you're thinking of."

"Huh, this could actually be helpful too." She runs her finger down the page and whispers to herself as she reads. I'm not even sure she knows she's doing it. "It says that it's advised to be used by people who are suffering from nightmares."

Concern fills me. "Are you still not sleeping well?" I figured she was still having bad dreams, but if they're this bad...

A protective urge rises inside me. I want to take all of that away and shield her.

She shakes her head. "Though no more sleepwalking, so you'll be glad to know that your reading time will be uninterrupted."

"You were a welcome interruption." It was nice to spend time with her away from class. Even if it was after hours and she was out of sorts from walking around like that.

For a moment, she looks as if she wants to ask something, and I can tell it's probably about how I raced off. How can I explain that without telling her that I left because I was moments away from kissing her and I didn't know if that was what she wanted?

"I'm still worried about it," she admits. "The sleepwalking."

"Understandable. I've heard it can be disorienting."

"Mmm." She pauses as if she's going to say more, but doesn't. "I'm going to go and get the equipment." She gets to her feet and grabs my textbook without another word, heading over to the side of the classroom to collect the things we need to make the charm.

I watch her go, conflicted feelings making their way through me. I want to spend as much time with her as I can, and I want to tell her how I feel, but I don't want to hurt her. Or scare her.

And I don't want her to reject me. I don't know how I'd cope if the person who is supposed to be perfect for me turns me down.

She looks back over her shoulder, and her gaze locks with mine. To my surprise, she closes her eyes, then turns around properly and heads back towards me, putting the textbook down on the bench surprisingly firmly.

"You okay?" My curiosity doesn't let me stay quiet.

"Do you want to hang out tonight?"

I raise an eyebrow, trying to ignore the hope rising up within me. "Hang out as in..."

"After dinner? Maybe we can...you know, I'm not sure. What is there to do here that isn't studying?" she asks.

"Very little if we don't make the entertainment ourselves," I respond. "But if you want, we could take dessert out to one of the benches."

"That sounds like a date."

"Wasn't that what you were asking for?" I certainly hope it's what she's asking for. If she is, then there's a chance all of this will work out precisely the way I'm desperate for it too.

"Yes," she whispers. "It just wasn't coming out right. If that's what you want, then I'd like it to be a date."

"Good. Then that's what it is. I look forward to it." My heart constricts at the sight of her smile. It's going to be hard to restrain myself while we're alone, but it'll be worth it. I'm sure of it.

Professor Fairburn clears her throat, shocking both of us out of our moment. "Is there a reason you're planning your social lives instead of doing the assignment?"

"Sorry, Professor," Anja says, seeming somewhat surprised that we're being told off.

"Hmm. I expect more progress next time I do my rounds." She walks away to go and look at what the students on the bench beside us are up to.

I exchange a look with Anja, and we both burst out laughing.

"I guess that's us told," she says.