Page 159 of The Other Side

Mikkel nodded.

“I need to show you how spectacularly unqualified you are,” Osian said.

Drum grinned. “I figured that was lesson one.”

“No,” Osian said dryly. “Lesson one is how not to get eaten before lesson two.”

Teddy turned up with a basketful of decorations. “Did I get too many?”

“You can never have too many pretty things,” Drum said.

Drum held Osian’s hand all the way back to the village. They’d refused Mikkel’s offer of a lift. The walk was longer in the snow, but Drum didn’t mind. He knew Osian wasn’t happy about any of this. But he was still buzzing with excitement.

“Promise me,” Osian said quietly, “if it’s too much, you’ll back out.”

“I promise.”

“I’m worried about this power Mikkel wants to give you.”

“I’m excited about it.”

Osian let out a slow sigh and squeezed his fingers.

“You knew I was bored,” Drum said. “I thought I’d hidden it.”

“I can read you too easily.”

“Oh?” Drum grinned. “What’s going through my head right now?”

Osian shot him a sideways glance. “Wondering if you’ve got time to make me see stars before we head to the tree-lighting ceremony.”

Drum clutched a hand to his chest in mock amazement. “Oh my God. You’re incredible.”

Osian laughed, the sound warming the cold air between them.

“And did you also notice,” Drum said, “that I’m planning to make you wait until midnight before I let you come?”

“I chose to ignore that part.”

They rounded a corner and both stopped. “Oh, look.” Drum pointed. “Jules and Erin’s house.”

Every roof in Sparlow wore a thick blanket of snow. Except one. The roof of the witches’ house was completely bare, as though the snow had decided it knew better than to settle there.

“Someone’s definitely in trouble,” Drum said.

They walked on, shoulders brushing.

“We’re coming up with our own signal,” Osian said after a while. “If I think you’re pushing yourself too far.”

“No, we’re not.”

Osian frowned.

“We’re not going to end up fighting over this. If you tell me no, then I tell Mikkel no. End of discussion.”

“You’d actually do that?”

“Course I would. I don’t care if he’s a demon. He could whip out a ridiculous tail and slice me clean in half. I’d still say no.”