I end each of my days with Blaze, who finally begins to teach me how to deliver a blow instead of just dodging them. Luca diligently comes along to all of Blaze’s lessons, sitting quietly and studying while I work with my instructor and, afterwards, allowing me to practice on him in his incredibly d
But my ferocious snarling into Luca’s face only lasts a second, because I instantly shift back into my human form, shrieking my delight and throwing my hands in the air as I sit on Luca’s chest, my legs sloppily straddled to either side. “I did it!” I shout, laughing with joy. “I hit you and I knock
“Come on,” Luca says, that hungry little growl still deep in his voice as he puts a hand around my waist and pulls me flush to his side. “Let’s go to dinner. Daphne’s coming up tonight, right?”“Oh yeah!” I say, my face breaking out in a smile – because I’ve seen less of my friend than I wanted to i
“This is all very exciting, Ari,” Daphne says. “I’m happy for you.”“Yeah well, don’t go thinking it’s too exciting,” I sigh, reaching for my bookbag and hauling it closer to me, starting to take out my books. “I hope you won’t mind that tonight will be a little boring, Daphne, I have a great deal o
Luca glances up at me. “Nothing,” he murmurs, blushing a little bit as he gathers his book back up. As he does I realize that his actions were not performative or attention-seeking at all, but instead the very real result of very real frustrations.In a flash, I wonder how and why I didn’t feel that
“Well, I stand by it,” Rafe says, settling back into his chair and pretending to turn his attention back to his own homework. “If you want help, Jackson is your man.”The room rings silent for a moment and I keep my eyes on my brother. When Rafe’s own eyes flick back up a moment and he glances betwe
We all give up pretending to study as Jackson comes back from the nook with some paper, some markers, and some tape, and – bizarrely – two different kinds of candy that my mom sent back to school with me, knowing they’re my favorite. Quietly, we all watch as Jacks hastily tapes four pieces of paper
“Well, that’s shit,” Luca murmurs, narrowing his eyes at the map. “A battle schematic where there’s just no chance at winning? I…I hate that.”“Yeah, but that’s war,” Jackson murmurs, nudging the candies back into place with his fingertip. “Sometimes you get to the point where it’s not about winning