HEY, DICKWAD, WHAT ARE YOU READING?” Theo flicked a fry off his plate and onto Winston’s head.

I shot a glare at Theo.

Could he not be a dick for five seconds?

Winston looked up and over at him. “A book,” he replied in a duh tone.

“Yeah, but it’s dinner. I’m sure having a conversation with me would be much more interesting than whatever you’re reading.”

I stepped on Theo’s foot hard and he glared at me. “Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yeah, you can, by shutting your mouth.”

I didn’t understand what his problem was with Winston. As far as I knew, Winston seemed like a pretty decent guy. Plus, he was like me. Shouldn’t that count for something?

“Aw, but where’s the fun in that?” He smiled, a dark curl falling over his forehead. “Besides, if I shut my mouth, you’d be awfully bored. I’m a great conversationalist.”

I shook my head. “You’re impossible.”

“You never answered my question.” He turned back to Winston. “What are you reading?” he enunciated each word slowly and carefully.

Winston placed a bookmark in the book and closed it before holding it up. “Happy now?” he asked, tilting his head in challenge. He knew Theo was full of shit and poking at him for no good reason.

“Pride and Prejudice? Interesting choice. I didn’t know you had a vagina.”

“Oh, my God,” I muttered. On my other side, Adelaide shook her head but didn’t intervene. I guess she’d learned by now it was pointless.

Winston cracked a smile. “On the contrary, I find being well read gets me laid.”

“There’s only like five girls here and I doubt any of them would go for you,” Theo sneered. “No offense, but you kind of look like a weasel.”

“Well, weaselness aside, the panties sure do drop. Must be the accent.” Winston smirked at Theo not backing down. Normally, he seemed to take his shit, but not today. “Your sister sure had no problem screaming my name.”

Adelaide choked beside me and, before I could blink, Theo growled and launched himself across the table, grabbing Winston by the shirt collar in the process, before the two of them tumbled to the ground.

“Theodore, stop!” Adelaide jumped up, running to the other side of the table. I did the same while others looked on curiously with no intentions of stopping the two guys.

I made it around in time to see Theo smash his fist into Winston’s nose, blood spurting all over the place.

“Theo,” I pleaded making a grab for his arm.

His elbow jolted back into my abdomen, knocking me back.

The air left my lungs and I fell smack on my butt on the floor. I grabbed the spot where he hit me, and it throbbed beneath my touch.

Suddenly, Theo stopped attacking Winston and whipped around with a horrified look on his face.

“Mara,” he breathed. Not doll face. No, I was Mara in that moment. The way he said my name was slightly heartbroken and desperate. He dropped to his knees beside me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. You have to know that.”

Winston groaned and slowly stood up, wiping the blood that had dripped from nose to mouth. “Maybe you’ll finally learn to watch your temper.”

Winston rolled his shoulders and sat back down calmly, flipping his book open like nothing at all had happened.

“Let me see,” Theo pleaded, gripping at my shirt and trying to pull it up so he could see my stomach. Adelaide stood behind him, her eyes wide with horror, a hand over her mouth.

“Don’t touch me. I’m fine.” I pushed his hand away roughly and he fell back on his butt too.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his jaw clenched like he was angry with himself.

I shook my head. I knew he didn’t mean to, and I’d probably only get a bruise, but I was angry with him for losing his temper and provoking Winston in the first place.

“Grow up,” I told him as I slowly gathered myself to stand.

Adelaide scurried to my side and helped me up. “We need to go to astronomy,” she whispered.

“Lead the way.”

I had barely eaten my dinner but I couldn’t stomach anything now.

Theo stood from the floor to follow us. I wanted to tell him to go away and I didn’t need him, but I also knew it’d be dumb of me to send him away. He probably wouldn’t go anyway.

We grabbed our plates off the table so we could dispose of them on our way out. Winston stood up then and grabbed his book and plate, walking with us out of the dining hall.

“I didn’t sleep with Adelaide, just so you know,” he whispered in my ear in passing. “Good luck with astronomy, love,” he said louder so Theo and Adelaide could hear.

“You don’t have to go?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I’m twenty-one so I’m free to do as I please. Are we still hanging out later?” he asked.

Honestly, I was exhausted, but when Theo rolled his eyes I couldn’t help but say, “Yeah, as soon as astronomy is done I’ll come by your room.”

“Cool.” He grinned, and my stomach flipped a little. It was nothing like the somersaults it did when Theo smiled at me but it was better than nothing. Maybe this unrequited crush would be easier to get rid of than I believed. “See you later, love,” he called as he left.

“I found out it’s Finn who’s back to teach astronomy this year,” Adelaide gushed as we walked along. “He’s so hot—just wait and see.”

“Ugh,” Theo gagged dramatically. “Finn’s my friend. Can you, my little sister, try not to refer to him as hot?”

“What?” Adelaide blinked at me innocently. “He is. I’m only stating facts here.”

Theo tilted his head back and muttered something at the ceiling. Righting himself, he grumbled, “This way,” and motioned us up a hidden staircase that reminded me of the one that led to the library. Adelaide went up first, then me, and Theo brought up the rear. The staircase kept going up until we reached the roof. By the time we got there, I was out of breath. I seriously needed to work out more.

A light drizzle was falling but it didn’t touch us. I looked around and Theo tapped my arm. He pointed up and I followed with my eyes, gasping in surprise. A shimmery bubble enclosed the area.

“Wow,” I murmured in awe.

“Pretty cool, huh?” someone to my left asked. Startled, I turned to the source of the voice.

The guy was a little older than me with a mega-watt smile, golden hair, and a chiseled face. “It’s amazing.”

“Evening, Finn,” Theo bit out, oddly formal. However, there was nothing formal to the scathing look he sent the man.

“Theodore? Wow, what are you doing here?”

“You know why I’m here, Finn,” he sighed, exasperated.

“Right, protector duty,” Finn said. He flashed me a grin. “I don’t think you need any protecting.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “Could you not flirt with my charge?” he asked Finn.

He was flirting with me? I hadn’t thought so. It seemed to me Theo was overly protective today.

Finn laughed. “Same old Theodore. I heard what you did today.”

Theo rolled his eyes again. “I think the whole place knows. People gossip too much.”

“I’m sure they do. Word gets around. Anyway …” Finn turned back to me. “The bubble protects us from the elements and allows us to truly see the stars.”

“Did you … do this?” I asked and motioned to the clear, shimmery bubble.

He chuckled; it was a soft raspy sound. “I did. It’s a basic spell, nothing exciting, I assure you.” He looked around at the small group of us. “Well, I guess I better start. I’ll see you later.”

“My name’s Mara,” I said as he started to turn away.

He turned back and winked a pale-blue eye. “I know.”

“Oh, my God. Is he not swoon worthy or what?” Adelaide cooed and laid her head on my shoulder. “And it looks like he has his eye on your doll face.” She punched her brother’s shoulder. “He didn’t even notice me and I was practically drooling and sending out all possible fuck-me vibes I have in my arsenal so he’d hopefully no longer see me as your kid sister.”

Theo wiggled. “First off, that’s against the rules. Student teacher relationships are just as frowned upon in enchanter society as they are in human society. Secondly, ew. Don’t ever say fuck-me vibes in my presence ever again. You’re my sister. I need like ten showers to get this ick off of me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be dramatic. Besides, you don’t follow the rules, so why should he? Mara’s going to be eighteen in a week. I say if she wants to go after the guy she should.”

“I follow the rules that matter,” Theo growled.

Adelaide looked at me and muttered, “He has a really messed up logic.”

I had to agree, but instead, I said, “I’m not even interested in him—which I doubt he’s interested in me—so let’s drop this. Nothing is going to happen.”

Adelaide bumped my shoulder and licked her lips. “I’ll take him off your hands then.”

“La, la, la,” Theo sing-songed, his hands over his ears. “I can’t hear you.”

“Gather around,” Finn called out, motioning for us all to come closer. We all huddled in a circle in front of him. He flashed a smile. “Welcome to astronomy. I’m Finn. I’m sure many of you are wondering why you need to take an astronomy class but let me assure you, this class is important. The stars are a map of the night sky; a map that you may be dependent upon someday. Everyone knows that The Iniquitous gather strength from the night and if you find yourself caught by them just remember the stars and they can lead you out.”

“He’s so dreamy,” Adelaide sighed happily in my ear. “He makes ordinary words sound so poetic.”

Theo coughed but I was pretty sure he was covering up a snort.

“Get into groups of two and head to one of the telescopes,” he instructed.

“It’s too bad he doesn’t have a desk,” Adelaide whispered under her breath. “I’d so let him bend me over it.”

Theo choked beside us. “I think I’m going to puke.”

“Bite me.” Adelaide bared her teeth at him, and then turned to me laughing. “Come on, partner.” Adelaide grabbed my arm as she dragged me to one of the telescopes. Finn was walking around, instructing everyone on how to use them. I noticed that Adelaide had picked the last telescope in the lineup. This couldn’t mean anything good.

“Adelaide—” Theo warned.

“What?” she asked, a bit too innocently.

“You know how to use a telescope.”

“Ah, but Mr. Hotty McHot Pants doesn’t know that.” She waggled her eyebrows.

Finn slowly made his way toward us. Adelaide bumped me with her bony hip, sending me into Theo, all for the purpose of being closer to Finn. He caught me easily and I jerked away like I’d been burned. When I looked at him, I expected to see his trademark smirk but instead he was looking away, his jaw clenched with his hands held into fists.

“Having trouble, ladies? I thought Theo would be able to help you.”

Adelaide pouted her bottom lip. “I asked him to, but he wouldn’t. Could you help me?” she asked in a sickeningly-sweet voice. She trailed her finger enticingly down his arm.

“Sure.” He then began explaining the different knobs to her.

“I think we may have another Naomi on our hands,” I stood on tiptoes to whisper in Theo’s ear. My lips brushed his ear and he shivered despite the fact it wasn’t a bit cold. I took a step away from him and color flooded my cheeks. I hoped it was dark enough that he wouldn’t notice.

Finn turned and said, “There’s an extra telescope over there.” He pointed to an empty one on the row. “Maybe you could help Mara.”

“I don’t think so.” Theo eyed Finn’s hand where it rested on Adelaide’s back.

I rolled my eyes, I guess I was picking up on the habit, and grabbed Theo’s arm. “This way, Theo.” He reluctantly followed me. I stopped in front of the telescope that Finn had indicated. “Come on, show me how to work this thing. Unlike Adelaide, I truly don’t know what I’m doing.”

He glanced over his shoulder at his sister.

“Leave it alone, Theo.” I sighed. “She’s a big girl and I really don’t think he’s going to do anything.”

“You don’t know him like I do,” he growled.

“I thought you were friends.”

“We are; therefore, I know exactly what he’s thinking, and it shouldn’t involve my little sister,” he growled, his fists clenched at his sides. His gaze was still glued to them.

“Theo,” I said in a warning tone and placed my hand on his upper arm. I pretended that I didn’t notice how muscular it was.

“What?” he snapped and glared at me. His gray eyes seemed to burn.

“They’re right there.” I pointed like he didn’t already know where they were. “Nothing inappropriate is going to happen under your nose.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” His chest heaved.

“Adelaide’s not stupid. It’s just some harmless flirting.”

“That’s what you think,” he muttered. He sighed and, with a last glance at his sister, turned his attention to me. “Let me show you how to work this.”

Theo showed me how to adjust the height of the telescope and then how to adjust the focus. He spouted out several things that I knew I’d never remember the names of. I just decided to call them the watchamagidgits. He then showed me how to look through the lens and center it on a star. Everything he said blurred together after a while. Who knew working a telescope could be so difficult?

“And that’s it.” He stepped away.

When I didn’t make a move, he put his hand on the small of my back and guided me toward the telescope. “Go on, look through it.”

I gave him an apprehensive smile and then looked through the lens.

I gasped in surprise.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked. “They use a spell to clear the sky of clouds and fog so you get to see everything perfectly.”

“I never knew the sky could look like this,” I murmured in awe.

Theo sat down and leaned his back against the balcony railing. He drew his knees up and rested his arms loosely upon them.

“This was probably my favorite class,” he admitted, and I was shocked to learn something personal about him so willingly.

“Except for the fighting,” I inserted.

He laughed. “You must think I’m such a hot head.”

“You did go nuclear multiple times today, Theodore.”

He winced. “I always know you’re serious when you say my full name.”

“I’m always serious, Theodore,” I tried to say with a straight face but ended up laughing.

He joined in with my laughter but soon a serious look overcame him. He began to play with his lip ring. He leaned his head against the railing and said, “Whenever I feel like you’re being threatened a … a haze sort of comes over me and I see red.”

I pulled away from the telescope. “Not everyone is out to hurt me.” I lightly touched his knee.

“I don’t know who to trust,” he murmured softly, almost worriedly. “Anyone could have ulterior motives. Anyone.”

I blinked. “Am I going to have to live my whole life looking over my shoulder? Am I going to have to shake hands with someone and then question whether or not they’re going to try and kill me? I don’t think I can do that, Theo.”

He sighed and dropped his hand from his lip ring. He didn’t say anything for a while and I went back to star gazing. Finally, he said, in a defeated voice, “You’ll have to. Anyone and everyone could be an enemy.”

“Is that why you don’t want me to hang out with Winston?” I asked. “I really don’t think he’s going to kill me.”

Theo swallowed thickly. “Churchill … No, I don’t think he’ll hurt you.”

“Then why are you so against him spending time with me?” I pushed.

He shoved his fingers through his hair. “Drop it, Mara.”

I smiled to ease the tension and said, “I always know you’re serious when you call me Mara instead of doll face.”

He grinned. “I’m always serious, Mara.”

“Please replace your dust caps,” Finn called out, “and I’ll see you all on Wednesday.”

“Wednesday?” I asked Theo. “We don’t have this every day?”

“No.” He shook his head. “You only have it three days a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

“Oh,” I said sadly.

We moved toward the door and met Adelaide there. Adelaide smiled at us and then threw a wave over her shoulder to Finn. He waved back with a grin.

Theo growled. “Whoa.” I placed a hand on his chest. “Down, boy.” I pushed him through the doorway and he reluctantly started down the steps. “That’s right, march, ninja, I don’t need you getting in anymore fights today.”

“Ninja?” Adelaide and Theo both asked with a grin when we reached the bottom of the steps. When they looked at me like that I really saw the resemblance between them.

I shrugged. “He moves like a ninja. All sleek and lightning-fast moves.” I pretended to do a karate chop and failed epically.

Adelaide snorted. “Don’t give him a bigger head than he already has.”

“So, doll face,” Theo said, completely ignoring his sister, “is ninja my new nickname? I like it.”

I laughed. “We’ll see. Now come on, I’m supposed to meet Winston.”

Theo groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t remind me.”

“I’ll see you later,” I said to Adelaide with a wave.

“Have fun,” she called down the hallway.

I found Winston sitting on the stairs of the main staircase. “Hiya.” He grinned when he saw me. “See ya later, mate,” Winston said to the guy beside him as he stood and came toward me. “How was astronomy?” he asked.

“I actually enjoyed it,” I replied with a smile.

“Fantastic.” Winston beamed, and his crooked teeth showed. “Shall we head up?”

When I started to follow Winston, a hand shot out and grabbed my arm. “Theo,” I hissed.

He let go of my arm and looked down at his feet.

When he didn’t say anything, I glanced at Winston and then back to Theo. “What is it, Theo?”

“It’s just—” He bit his lip and toyed his lip ring with his teeth. “If you’re in Winston’s room then I don’t know what’s going on. There’s a charm on his room and I’m not comfortable being blind when it comes to you.”

“What do you suggest then?” I asked and put my hands on my hips.

“Your room,” he replied reluctantly.

I sighed and looked at Winston. “That’s cool with me.” He shrugged.

“Alrighty then.” I stalked past Winston. “This way.”

“Hey, man!” I heard called from behind me. I turned around to see a tall lanky guy with shaggy blond hair come up to Theo and they exchanged the weird handshake chest bump guys do.

“Dude!” Theo exclaimed in a surprisingly happy tone. “What are you doing here? I thought you went back to Texas.”

“I’m back,” the guy said and threw his hands in the air. “It’s a temporary thing,” he added sadly.

Noticing my wide-eyed gaze, Theo explained, “This is my friend Ethan.”

“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand.

“Hey,” said Winston.

“What are you up to?” Ethan asked Theo. His green eyes were bright with excitement.

Theo pointed over his shoulder to me. “Guard duty.”

I winced. I don’t know why his words bothered me so much—I guess maybe because his tone suggested it was a burden. That I was a burden.

Ethan looked me up and down and grinned. “So, this is the Chosen One.”

Theo slapped Ethan on the back and said, “Come on. We can hang out outside Mara’s room while her and Churchill have their date,” he sneered the word.

I looked at Winston, panicked. “It is not a date.”

“Och, I’m hurt, love,” Winston said and put his hand to his heart like he was mortally wounded.

The boys followed me to my room. I unlocked the door and motioned Winston inside. I turned to Theo and found him grinning. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He grinned and waggled his brows.

My jaw dropped. I smacked Theo’s shoulder and he laughed. “You know nothing like that is going on so don’t try and insinuate anything in front of your friend.” I glanced at Ethan and then back to Theo. “I barely know Winston,” I whispered under my breath.

Theo grinned and said, “Close the door. Your lover boy is waiting.”

“He’s not my lover boy,” I groaned and closed the door. I could hear Theo and Ethan’s laughter on the other side.

Winston stood in the middle of the room looking around. His hands were shoved in his pockets. I suddenly, for some unknown reason, felt very nervous.

“Nice room,” he said in his smooth British accent.

“Thanks. I didn’t really do anything to it.”

He smiled. “They try and give us nice rooms to make us feel more at home since many of us are here for not very good reasons.”

“Like Adelaide and Theo.”

“Yes.” He nodded his head. “And us.”

I sighed and sat down on my bed. I crossed my legs Indian style. “Why did you want to hang out?”

His brown eyes met mine. He leaned against my dresser and shrugged. “I like to talk to you, Mara. You can … understand what all this feels like. More than me, actually.”

“I don’t know about that,” I replied with a shrug. “I’ve only been dealing with this for a week you’ve had to deal with it your whole life.”

“And a lonely life it’s been,” he said softly and came toward me. He motioned his hand and quirked his brow for permission to sit on my bed. I scooted over and patted the space next to me. “I’m tired of being alone.” He picked my hand up in his and began to trace the lines in my palm.

“You don’t have any friends?”

He shook his head no. “I am sure your protector has spoken to you about who to trust and who not to trust.”

“He says to trust no one.” I stared at my hand where it was tingling from his soft touch.

“Exactly.” He lay back on the bed and his white shirt rode up a bit. He turned toward me and let go of my hand so he could touch my cheek. “The only person here I can trust is … you.” His eyes zeroed in on my lips. My breath caught. This is what I wanted, right? To forget my unrequited crush on Theo? Besides, Theo wasn’t the right guy for me. He was moody, infuriating, cocky, and a pain in my butt. Winston was kind, sweet, and caring. Winston knew of the pains I felt. But then, so did Theo.

I shut my thoughts off and leaned a tiny bit closer to Winston. He took this for the permission it was, pulled my face down to his, and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft against mine. There were no sparks, no fireworks or anything like that but it wasn’t a bad kiss. It was … nice. Pleasant. He was careful and hesitant not forceful. This wasn’t raw possession. Pulling away his brown eyes were flooded with warmth. He caressed my cheek and smiled before pressing his lips to mine once more.

With a grin, he gently brushed my hair from my face. “I’ve wanted to do that ever since you mowed me down in the hallway.”

I laughed. “I didn’t mean to knock you down.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad you did. If not, I might not have ever met you.” He leaned in closer. “I’m going to kiss you again?” he said but it came out as a question. I couldn’t help thinking of the gray-eyed boy who would never ask for permission for a kiss, he’d just take it like it belonged to him.

I nodded my head and Winston pressed his lips to mine.

* * *

“Doll face,” someone whispered and the door to my bedroom opened, letting light from the hallway peek inside. I had fallen asleep. I tried to sit up, but a heavy iron bar blocked my way. I looked down to see Winston lying on his stomach and his arm thrown over me. He was smiling in his sleep and his eyes fluttered with dreams. I looked back up to meet Theo’s stunned gaze. “Oh.”

Yeah … oh.