Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“Yeah, you might be right,” she agreed.
“So,” I hedged. “I have some news that you might find unpleasant.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Oh?”
“Rebecca’s going on a date tonight with some woman who works at the Guard. She told me and Mum about it at dinner.”
Grace didn’t appear at all surprised. “Oh yeah, I know about that. I was the one who encouraged her to go.”
I gaped at her. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. And it’s not as masochistic as you think. Rebecca might be older than me by a good decade, but she’s completely inexperienced when it comes to love. She needs to get out there and experience what the city has to offer. Then, maybe after I’ve graduated and she’s spent a few months or years in mediocre relationships, she might finally realise how amazing I am.”
“That plan could backfire monumentally. You know that, right?”
Grace frowned. “Yes, but it’s necessary. Right now, she only sees me as a little sister type. This is the only way that might ever change.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but Rebecca was already going on this date so there was no turning back now. I could only hope that the whole thing didn’t end in heartbreak for Grace.
When we reached the funfair I spotted Peter, Sophia, Ren, Nic, and Angela standing by one of those games where you have to hit a target to win a cuddly toy. The funfair was a human one, and my friends didn’t quite look like your average group of teenagers—which I only knew because I could compare them to the humans who were all about. There was just something different about my friends. A sharpness, a certain glow.
I guess Grace and I displayed the same difference. You were always aware of it when existing secretly among humans. They’d glance at you, then do another take, not quite understanding what it was about you that was unusual. Maybe their survival instincts were telling them to stay away and give a wide berth because they might be in danger.
Not that any of the humans present tonight were in danger from my friends or me.
Peter spotted me and smiled. I loved his smile. It transformed his face into a beaming ray of sunshine. A warmth filled my chest when I saw how haphazard his hair was. It had grown since his last haircut and now stuck out in all directions. It was only ever that way after he’d had a magic lesson with Rita, my mother’s friend. She provided Peter with extra tutoring sessions, with an eye to training him to become a sorcerer. I knew the lessons were intense because Peter would drag his fingers through his hair when thinking hard, trying to figure out a problem or puzzle.
“Hey, everyone!” Grace greeted, going to hug Ren. The two had become quite close over the last few months, and it was nice to see my cousin embracing the new boy into her life.
“You finally arrived,” Nic said. “We’ve been waiting for you so we can all ride the Big Wheel together.”
“Well, we’re here now, so let’s go!” Grace replied enthusiastically.
I stepped close to Peter, going up on my tiptoes to place a light kiss on his cheek. “Hey,” I murmured, reaching for his hair and running my fingers through it to neaten it. “Your hair is a mess. Were you with Rita?”
Peter gave me a self-deprecating nod. “She was teaching me a healing spell, and I just couldn’t quite grasp it.”
“You’ll figure it out. I have faith in you,” I said, kissing him again. He made a small rumbly noise, catching my jaw in his hand and bringing his mouth to mine. He kissed me, and I was instantly lost. I forgot we were standing in a crowded fair and that our friends were close by, patiently waiting for us. That was the problem with Peter and me. We could become so wrapped up in one another that the rest of the world ceased to exist.
I drew away from him, catching my breath.
“You drive me insane,” he whispered, then bent down, briefly nipping my ear with his teeth. “I’m going to make you scream later.” My entire body woke up at his words, my skin breaking out in gooseflesh.
“Hey,” an awkward voice interrupted. I turned to find Angela standing a foot or two away, a flush on her cheeks. She’d clearly heard what Peter said to me.
“Angela, what’s up?” I asked, still breathless.
She bit her lip. “Um, Ren and Grace have paired up to ride the Big Wheel together. So have Nic and Sophia. I was wondering if you two wouldn’t mind a third.”
“Of course,” I replied, feeling bad that she was left out.
“The more, the merrier,” Peter added.
We headed toward the Big Wheel. Ren and Grace had already gotten on, and Nic and Sophia were currently climbing aboard. The ride was almost full, with just one carriage left available. Peter, Angela, and I were just about to purchase tickets when Belinda and Liz appeared and shoved us aside.