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

When the early morning sun warmed my room, I threw the covers off and mentally turned on the lights. I dressed quickly, anxious to get out of the house and away from the memories of such a horrible night’s sleep. After whatever had bolted past my window, I’d ran back to bed and buried myself in the covers. The shadow had moved so quickly I couldn’t be sure if the form had been human or animal. I didn’t fall asleep until I’d convinced myself that it had been a deer.

I peeked in on Jake who slept peacefully without the television on, something I wasn’t used to. I scribbled a note, telling him I was going running, and then placed it on his dresser. I stepped out our back door, stretched a little, and then raced up the mountain, toward the sun, and over to my favorite trail. When I returned an hour later, Jake was gone. A short note told me he had some errands to run and would be home before I returned from school.

Once again, I chose to run to school. The moon would be full for at least another day, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the timing. If basketball tryouts had been one week later, I probably wouldn’t have a chance at making the team.

I headed straight for first hour instead of going to my locker. The last thing I wanted was to run into Christian. As much as I liked being near him, he was merely a high school distraction and one that would only cause me pain in the end. Survival first, I reminded myself as I sat down. Me moving a lot wasn’t good for a relationship.

After second period, I had to go running again. The tapping of my foot had bothered everyone around me, including the teacher. While no one was looking, I darted outside and headed toward the track. I ran as hard and fast as I could to expend the most amount of energy (although I barely broke a sweat). I hoped that might help me pay attention in my next class, Trig. I was really starting to fall behind, and for the first time in my academic life, I was worried.

I arrived early and laid out my pencil and notebook, fully intending to write down everything he said. I wouldn’t get distracted today.

“Llona?”

I swiveled in my seat and sucked in a hitched breath at the site of Mr. Steele standing next to me.

My eyes met his, and I licked my lips. “Yes?”

He knelt next to my desk and leaned to quietly whisper. “Everything okay at home?”

Behind him, Matt walked into the classroom with a few other students and sat down. His curious gaze swept over us, and he turned away as if he wasn’t interested, but by the way his body leaned toward me, I could tell he was trying to listen in.

I blinked, and swallowed the lump clogging my throat. “Everything’s good.”

Mr. Steele frowned, unconvinced. “You’re a straight A student in all of your classes, including the ones last year. But in my class? You’re failing. What’s going on?”

My heart beat so loud I could barely hear him over the sound. My gaze lowered to the pencil on my desk. “I don’t know.”

“I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. I might surprise you with what I know.” He leaned closer, and his musky scent filled me. “Trust me, okay?”

His warm breath feathered past the skin on my cheek. I resisted the urge to moan, and instead, focused on the warming sensation in my lower gut. It was a good feeling.

He straightened and walked to the front of the class, while I sunk into my seat.

Matt leaned over toward me. “If you’re having trouble in math, I can tutor you. I’m good with numbers. Let me help.”

His dark eyes burrowed into mine, commanding, strong; a trait I clearly seemed to like.

I was about to answer when Mr. Steele began his lecture. My lips closed.

“Let me know,” Matt whispered and faced forward.

I think I nodded.

By the time class ended, I’d managed to scribble a few things. Progress. I shoved the notebook into my bag and was the first to exit. I inhaled a huge breath in the hallway, welcoming the break from what easily could’ve been sexual tension. I wouldn’t know for sure. This was all so new to me.

I totally wanted a boyfriend, but how could I ever trust a man after what happened to my parents? My heart ached at the thought. Sometimes, I really hated who I was. Hated that our kind would forever be hunted because of the Light inside of us.

An arm hooked inside of mine. I jumped but relaxed when I realized it was May.

“Let’s eat in the cafeteria today. I’m tired of eating out.”

I didn’t argue. May would be great distraction from my dark thoughts.

Inside the lunchroom, I spotted Matt sitting at a table talking to a few girls. Our eyes met briefly, and he acknowledged me with a nod.

With my legs weakening at the site of him, I deliberately veered toward the furthest table from him. I dropped my backpack onto the table.

“Pizza good?” May asked, eyeing the line of students waiting to grab their slice.

“Perfect.”

“You grab our drinks, and I’ll get the food.”

Eating lunch with May, talking with her, almost made me forget about math class, but I kept catching Matt looking at me. Not in a creepy way but more out of curiosity, like he was trying to figure me out. I think I would’ve preferred the creepy look. That I could respond to. Tell him to knock it off or just simply ignore him. But being curious about me? That scared me.

When lunch ended, I headed to my locker.

Christian caught up to me in the hallway. His timing couldn’t be worse. “How’s it going?”

I kept my face forward. “Good. You?”

“Fine. Do you mind if I come to tryouts again today?”

“Actually, I’d prefer it if you didn’t.” Be strong.

“Really? Um, okay. Can I see you afterwards?”

I opened my locker. “I think my uncle has something planned.”

He didn’t say anything while I switched out my books, but when I closed my locker, he asked, “Did you go running last night?”

“No, which turned out to be good because