Hopeless Magic (6 page)

“A…. Principal Saint found me, I mean he didn’t find me of course, but he followed my progres-sion in the papers and had his own suspicions, I mean his own thoughts on me. I kept um….

breaking things before I knew the truth. I guess 83/711

once he figured it out, he talked my aunt, I mean not my aunt, my guardian, into sending me here.

She of course thinks this is just a school for the gifted,” I babbled nervously.

“Lucky for you Principal Saint was there to help you,” Sebastian said coldly.

“Yep,” is all I managed.

“So your friend, I mean I was told she was your friend, the Shape-shifter, where is she today?” Sebastian pried, inching closer to me. I dropped my napkin onto the floor casually and bent down to pick it up, while doing my best to move, discreetly away from him.

“Her name is Lilly,” I said a little snottier than I had intended.

“Where is
Lilly
?” he corrected, with renewed politeness.

I glanced at Avalon who smiled congenially in our direction, but was telling me to be vague inside of my head.

“I wish I knew,” I responded, hoping this would be all the answer Sebastian needed.

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“What do you mean? Isn’t she your friend?

Aren’t you the one who interrupted her trial claiming she was innocent or something along those lines?” Sebastian looked at me pointedly and I took a big bite of chicken salad to cover my nervousness, nodding my head as if I were embarrassed.

“She heard her mother has come down with the Curse, I think she is hoping to be able to visit them.” Avalon spat out suddenly and then shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Stupid right? Girls and their sentiment,” he grunted rudely and if I didn’t know my brother so intrinsically, I would have believed his arrogance.

“That is stupid,” Sebastian agreed, although I was not sure he was entirely convinced. “She’ll probably find herself locked back up. Well, that’s why they are the ones in hiding, right?” Sebastian looked at me for approval.

“Ha. Damn right,” Avalon played patriotic and prejudiced, slamming his fist on the table and revealing one of his many tattoos. I just nodded my 85/711

head enthusiastically, biting off more than I could chew of what was left of my sandwich.

“Cousin, join us please,” Kiran called from across the lunch room. He sounded enthusiastic and looked like he really did want Sebastian to join him. I found that strange because all I wanted was for Sebastian to un-join us. But I supposed they were cousins. Kiran probably really did like him. I smiled through a mouthful of food and kept nodding my head as if to say he should go.

“If you will excuse me then,” he smiled apologetically at me. “It was a pleasure to meet you Eden.

You are even more exquisite than they say,” I realized I had never given him my name, and before I could respond he bent down and kissed my cheek. I sat stunned realizing he had finally accomplished his goal of touching my skin and also embarrassing me. He had been able to memorize my magical imprint. He turned around swiftly and left us staring after as he made his way to Kiran’s table.

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“Damn it,” Avalon said softly, but menacingly, under his breath. “Well, I guess we have our answer.”

“I guess so.” I replied, while rubbing my cheek roughly where Sebastian’s lips had just been. I stared after him as he joined Kiran's table and where he fit in flawlessly.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on him,” Avalon mumbled, appearing to lose his appetite and simply push the remainder of his lunch around his plate with a half-eaten pickle. I could see the wheels turning in Avalon’s head and I heard his thoughts deciding which Resistance members he would send.

“I think he’s having those same thoughts, Avalon,” I said in a small voice, realizing for the first time that Sebastian’s presence at Kingsley made me more than nervous. I was afraid.

6.

“Eden,” a strained whisper beckoned me into the theater the next morning at school. I recognized Kiran’s voice and obeyed immediately. Sending a thought to Avalon and instructing him to continue on to class, lest anyone get suspicious. I ducked into the theater and found Kiran just inside the double doors.

First things first, he pulled me into his arms with a passionate kiss. I gave in immediately, letting his mouth press against mine, relishing the stolen moment. I pushed Kiran’s back against the clothed wall and tangled my hands in his tussled hair. He pulled me closer with a firm hand on my lower back, his other hand getting lost in the tangles of my own hair.

Eventually he tried to pull back, remembering there was a reason he called me in there, but I refused to relinquish my hold, pulling his neck down once again. He didn’t resist and I found his 88/711

lips strongly against mine once more. My shirt had come un-tucked and his fingers found their way underneath the hem and on to my lower back. It was the first time Kiran had been brave enough to touch my usually-hidden skin so boldly and it made me only want him more.

I pressed my body closer to his, kissing him even more fervently than before. My hands tugged at the hem of his shirt, and then slipped underneath, until I felt his skin hot against my hands. Our passion was illuminated in a swirling cloud of mingled magic surrounding us.

Outside the theater doors several girls walked by laughing and talking loudly. We were suddenly several feet away from each other, doing our best to recover our composure. Kiran’s hands worked swiftly to re-tuck his shirt and straighten his tie, while mine struggled to regain the length to my skirt and smooth out my own shirt. I saw him smile adoringly at me even in the darkness, and returned it with my own version of a shy smirk.

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“You’re awfully brave,” he teased, but the look in his eyes told me he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There’s just something about those lips,” I replied coyly, walking over and giving him the smallest, but sweetest kiss I could restrain myself with.

“Stop distracting me,” he whispered sweetly, while pulling me into his arms again. The passion between us threatened to ignite, and I forced myself to remember he probably had a purpose in calling me in here. “I need to know what my cousin wanted at your lunch table yesterday,” he was suddenly matter of fact, making the anxiety from yesterday fresh in my mind.

“He was asking about Lilly, but seemed interested in me, Kiran. Why is he here?” I asked, letting the tension slip into my voice, not on purpose, but it was there all the same.

“I am not entirely sure. His interest in Lilly is perfectly natural, especially from someone in my family. I’m sure it’s nothing. He is obviously 90/711

wondering what all the fuss was about I'm sure.

And I know his mother was not happy with my father for sending me stateside. So he could be telling the truth about that, too. Where is Lilly, by the way? ” he asked, calmly dismissing my fears.

“Did you know he was coming?” I returned to the subject carefully, not willing to lie to Kiran so early in the morning.

“No, I didn’t, which doesn’t exactly mean anything. He says his mother wants him to go to school with me, and I believe him. Like I said, she was more than upset at my father for leaving Sebastian behind.” Kiran tried to sound confident, but I could see him thinking deeply about this. “If father sent him, then he is only curious.

If he truly suspected your identity, he would have sent more than Sebastian. Believe me. And a lot sooner than now. We will just have to be more careful than ever. That includes not getting caught in the theater,” he reproached playfully and then kissed my ear sweetly.

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“I suppose you’re right,” I mimicked his accent, before turning to kiss him on the mouth.

“Besides,” I continued, returning to my deadpan lack of an accent, “we both know that Mr. Lambert is going to welcome your arrival to class no matter how late you are, and I will be blamed entirely for it. He will probably tell you I’m a bad influence on you,” I said dramatically as we exited the theater.

“Aren’t you though?” Kiran teased and we both laughed or rather giggled at each other until we made it out into the hall and found Sebastian wandering around the lobby. We both stopped dead in our tracks. Neither one of us able to come up with a sound excuse we suddenly felt that we owed Sebastian.

“We were just, um, we were just….” Kiran stammered. I recognized his flare in magic and his instinctive need to protect me.

“It’s alright, cousin,” Sebastian assured us soothingly, “Your secret’s safe with me.” He smiled, 92/711

but it didn’t reach his eyes and gave him a menacing, evil look.

“No, it’s not; I mean there’s no secret. Eden sometimes forgets to use her magic and then she lets it build up and then she has to release it and she usually does so in the theater. I was actually looking for Talbott. We just happened to bump into each other,” Kiran explained quickly, but with confidence. “Where is he anyways? Have you seen him, Sebastian?” Sebastian shook his head negatively and I watched his smile diminish ever so slightly, but the suspicion in his eyes was unmistakable.

I began walking towards class, leaving Kiran behind me. I didn’t acknowledge him any more, hoping to prove Kiran’s excuse.

“Is that true, Eden? Sometimes you forget to use your magic?” Sebastian was by my side in a moment, walking up the marble stairs to English.

“Yes it is true. One of the perks of being raised human,” I laughed out loud, hoping to sound casual.

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“That sounds dangerous,” Sebastian said pointedly. “What’s the longest you can go without using your magic?” He questioned further, and a feeling of uneasiness crept up my spine.

“Oh, not very long at all. If I go even thirty minutes without using it, I suddenly cause an explosion or burn down a building or something,” I turned to face him and gave him my most charming smile. I pulled my long dark hair out of my face to give him the full effect of what I hoped to be a very captivating gaze. He stared back, deeply into my eyes and I forced myself not to look away. We stood there paused on the marble steps, competing with each other in a silent staring contest.

“Eden Matthews, I need to see you right away,” Amory’s sharp voice suddenly called from the bottom of the staircase. “There is a mess in the theater and if I find that you have been blowing trash cans apart again without cleaning up your mess, you are going to be in serious trouble, 94/711

young lady,” Amory had taken on the role of principal and the effect was actually terrifying.

I turned immediately back down the stairs, leaving Sebastian to stare after me. Kiran was nowhere to be seen and I was suddenly grateful my grandfather was also the principal of this school. Amory pointed towards the theater and I quickly obeyed his unspoken command.

“Off to class with you, Mr. Cartier. It may only be your second day, but that is no excuse for tardiness,” Amory maintained his authoritative tone until after Sebastian had ascended the stairs.

He then followed me silently into the theater, lighting the house lights enough so we could see each other.

“This is no good,” Amory worried softly once we were behind the double doors of the quiet theater.

“So he is here to spy on me?” I asked, afraid of the answer, but already certain I knew the truth.

“I can’t be sure Eden. He seems too curious about you for his sudden arrival to be a coincidence; but then again it was his mother who called 95/711

and enrolled him, not Lucan. Maybe he was only curious after your interruption at the trial, his presence here might not have anything to do with Lucan,” Amory chewed on his thumbnail while pacing nervously. His image was strikingly similar to Avalon’s, both men great leaders despite their small habits.

“I don’t like him, Amory,” I whispered, reminding myself of how disturbing I found his presence.

“No, I would hope not. His personality is much more similar to his Uncle Lucan’s than even Kiran’s. I think it best if you steer clear of him altogether,” Amory turned his gaze on me and smiled sadly.

“I’ve been trying,” I mumbled, grumpily.

“I know,” Amory replied sympathetically. “I’m afraid those Kendrick boys don’t know how to leave you or your mother alone.”

“Great.”

“Aw, the price of beauty,” Amory pulled me into a side hug and kissed the top of my head.

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“Yeah, right,” I groaned sarcastically, but blushed from the compliment all the same.

“Ok, here’s a pass, off to class with you,” he handed me a pink slip of paper, excusing me from being late to class.

“Mr. Lambert’s going to be so mad at me,” I squeaked, but Amory only laughed at me.

I bounded up the stairs, hoping that Amory was right. Hopefully Sebastian was only curious about my opinion at Lilly’s trial over the All Saints Festival. Maybe there was nothing else to his arrival.

----

Let’s ditch the rest of the day
. Avalon sent me his thought telepathically in the middle of French.

I’ve missed too much already. I’ll get behind in
chemistry
. I responded glumly.

Ok, Eden. It’s time you come to terms with your
magic. What good is it if you don't use it for
homework? We’re skipping and that’s final
.

Avalon made a good point. But I couldn’t help 97/711

but feel guilty for both skipping and cheating on my home work.
It’s not cheating, for the last
time
! Avalon read my thought and I heard him grunt audibly behind me.

Fine
. I gave in.
It will probably be better to get
away from Sebastian for a while anyways. Do
you think Amory will excuse us?

This is a legitimate skip, Eden. If there are consequences to pay, we’ll pay them. We can’t continue to rely on Amory to excuse our behavior.

People will get suspicious, especially that new
Kendrick.
Avalon’s mind voice was full of disgust, and I felt how sick and tired he was of having another member of the monarchy around and it had only been two days.

After French, Avalon and I made our way down the marbled staircase on our way out of the building, hoping to remain undetected. We were almost to the back door when a snotty voice rang out from behind us.