First Magic by Raven Steele (ebook reader screen txt) 📖

Mike fell backwards out of his chair with Christian on top. He attempted to wiggle free, but Christian pinned his shoulder to the ground. With his free hand, Christian continued to punch Mike’s face despite Adam’s attempts to pull him back.

“Get off him, man!” Adam yelled.

Just then an enormous fry cook bounded out of the kitchen. He, too, tried to pry Christian off, but was unsuccessful. May burst into tears.

Finally, I found my voice.

“Christian!” I wanted to yell it, but his name barely squeaked out.

As if he’d heard me, Christian stood, breathing heavily, fists clenched tight.

“Get out of here!” the cook barked at Christian. Grease dripped from a spatula in his hand.

I wasn’t sure if Christian heard or not, because all he did was turn to me and stare in shock—no, horror is more like it. He walked around the table, stepping over spilled food, and took me by the arms.

“Are you okay?” he asked, as if I’d been the one fighting.

“I’m fine. Let’s go.” I pulled him toward the front door, but he stopped briefly, reached inside his pocket, and pulled out a fifty-dollar bill. He dropped the money on the table and then followed me out.

Mike’s voice echoed behind us, “Watch your back, Stockett!”

May caught up to us outside, her face streaked with tears. “Are you all right, Christian?”

He glanced at her as if he wasn’t sure what she was talking about. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Can we just get out of here?” I asked. I didn’t want to admit it, but the fight had both excited and frightened me. Part of me wished I was the one beating up Mike, while the other half of me was frightened by Christian’s fighting skills. Fast and deadly accurate, like he’d been professionally trained.

Christian’s eyes never left mine. “May, will you take us to my car? I’ll save you a trip and take Llona home.”

I should’ve argued, but I wanted to find out more about Christian. Did he scare me? Hell yes, but not in the way I expected. I was more frightened by the way I was starting to feel towards him. The desire, the yearning for something more. It made my insides tremble.

No one said a word the short ride back to the school and only when May parked the car did she turn and say, “Mike had it coming. Thanks for kicking his ass. Maybe he’ll start treating girls with some respect now.”

Christian shook his head. “I shouldn’t have lost control like that.”

“Actually, it was kind of hot, defending Llona like that. Right?” She looked at me with innocent eyes, but a smile teased the corners of her mouth.

My face warmed, and I chuckled uncomfortably. “See you tomorrow, May.”

Christian followed me out of the car and stood next to me as May’s car drove away. The extreme energy I’d felt before now felt scattered, like metal balls firing inside a pinball machine.

“I’m so sorry,” Christian said. “I should never have fought.”

I shook my head. “It’s me who should apologize. I’m the one with the big mouth.”

“You spoke the truth, but I didn’t have to fight.”

“It’s not a big deal. Really.”

“Not a big deal?” He pulled my arms from my chest and held my hands. I sucked in a breath at the warm contact. “You’re shaking.”

I snatched them back, embarrassed, but I hated the cold that came with the motion. “I just overdid it today.”

“It’s more than that.”

How would you know? I wanted to ask. I didn’t like that he seemed to be able to read my mind. “Can we just go?”

Christian eyed me thoughtfully. “Sure. If that’s what you want.”

He opened his truck door and waited until I was inside before closing it. The black, leather-upholstery was clean, and the car had been equipped with all the bells and whistles.

“This is nice,” I said as we drove out of the parking lot.

“Thanks. My dad split the cost with me. I worked three summers saving up for it.”

“Doing what?”

“Private lessons.”

“What kind of lessons?”

“Um, fighting and stuff.”

This sparked my interest. “Fighting? Like karate?”

“Something like that.” Christian glanced in the rearview mirror after rounding a corner.

“So you’re a professional fighter?”

He laughed. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ve just had enough years of experience that I can teach.”

“But you’ve been teaching for three years.”

He shifted in the seat and cleared his throat. “It’s nothing really.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being modest or if he was avoiding my questions. I decided not to press the issue. I looked out the passenger window and toward the full moon.

“You like the moon don’t you?” he asked.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“It is beautiful, especially when it’s full.” He checked the rearview mirror again, and I thought I noticed his grip tighten on the steering wheel.

I casually glanced behind us, but didn’t see anything. “Why do you keep checking the mirror?”

“What?”

“The rearview mirror. What are you looking at?”

“Nothing. Just trying to be a good driver.”

The remaining way to my house, he tried to be more casual, but I still noticed his obsession with the mirror. And he didn’t look happy.

When we pulled into my driveway, he asked, “Is your uncle home?”

“Yeah.” Even though the garage door was shut, concealing his car, I knew Jake was there. Where else would he be?

“How can you tell? The house is dark.”

“He’s always home.” I opened my door. Christian jumped out and ran around to my side.

“I can get myself out,” I said, wondering why he was acting like we were on a date or something.

“I know you can. I just want to walk you to the door.” That’s what he said, but as we walked toward my house, he continued to shift his eyes the way a babysitter does when she feels she’s not alone in the house.

And then she’s murdered.

I pushed back my paranoid thoughts and turned to him at the door. “I never said thank you.”

“For what?”

“For standing up for me. No one’s ever done that before.”

Christian sighed and shook his head. “If Mike had any idea how special you are, he wouldn’t have said what he did.”

“What?” I asked, my pulse tripping over itself.

He spoke quickly. “I just mean that you are an incredible person. You’re great at sports, you’re kind, you’re not afraid—”

“All right that’s enough.”

“No, it’s not, but I’ll let you off the hook.” He smiled.

I reached for the doorknob, but he stopped me and said, “Before you go, promise me something.”

I waited for him to continue before I agreed to do anything.

“Promise me you won’t go running tonight.”

“Why would I go running?” Actually I was planning on going out later. It was only eight o’clock after all.

“You just seem to have this crazy energy. Will you promise?”

“Can I ask why?”

“With the murder that happened up Ian Road, I think it would be safer if you stayed inside.”

Right, the murder. The red shoe. That seemed like years ago. “Sure. I’ll stay inside.”

“Good. And remember, not everyone is who they say they are.” Before I could respond, he reached out and lightly squeezed my hand. A thousand butterflies bloomed in my stomach all at once. “Sleep well.”

I stared, blinking