Page 47 of Rituals & Rivalry

She nods, and all I can do is hope my words ring true.

The cottage lets out a shuddering breath; Aurora matches it.

“What kind of magic do you have?” she asks, cocking her head. “You’re not a star witch.”

“I’m not…” I look down. This is the moment to tell her. There’s no harm in telling her, really, but I don’t want to. I don’t want her to keep a distance from me, as some people in town do. I like that she’s so bold. Never afraid of me. Never backing down. The idea of Aurora looking at me with fear in her gaze makes me sick to my stomach. “It’s not something I’m ready to talk about, if that’s all right.”

Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think she’ll push me. The fire in her eyes only lasts for a flicker before her shoulders slump, and she nods. “That’s okay. We all have our secrets.”

Chapter 14

Aurora

The house may still be a bit of a jerk—nightmares, rattling—but something changed between Sterling and me. Sort of. He’s the bane of my existence, but at least he’s helpful.

“I’m only saying,” he says in that annoying, low, sexy voice of his, “perhaps you wouldn’t have nearly fallen back there if you’d worn more sensible shoes.”

I roll my eyes, my boots click-clacking down the brick pathways on Starbrook’s main street. “Sure, grandpa. Any more fashion advice? It seems like you could use some yourself.”

A total lie. I’ve rarely met men who dress as well as Sterling in his annoying sweaters, overpriced but sensible shoes, and pants he clearly irons. His decent taste is probably because he’s not a hetero man, thank the gods.

During the past few days we’ve spent together, I’ve learned a few things about Sterling. He’s bisexual, like me. He’s the oldest in his family, like Leo—but he’s actually good at being a big brother, so there’s a difference there. He studied law, but like me, he dropped out of college. Unlike me, he made it to grad school before doing so.

All in all, he feels a little less mysterious than he did before, but there’s something missing, and I can’t put my finger on what it is. Okay, I totally can. It’s whatever connection he has to our new house, and that’s the one thing he won’t talk to me about. Every time I bring it up, he shuts me down or leaves.

I still don’t know what kind of witch he is.

He could be a fire witch, considering how easily he did that spell, but that would be too simple. What reason would he have to keep that a secret? Or maybe he’s a spellcaster. They’re powerful and useful, which would work for Sterling. Perhaps a curse breaker. They’re rare; I’ve never even met one.

The guessing game is useless. He hasn’t given me any hints, and I can guess until the moon falls from the sky, but that doesn’t mean the assumptions are right. I’ll have to find another way to get the information.

For now, we have something else to focus on.

Me. Or more accurately, my magic.

For years, I’ve been trying to ignore the problem, living life as a human rather than a witch. Sterling won’t have that, and he’s annoyingly stubborn.

He chuckles and holds the door to the bookshop open, nodding and letting me pass. Always a gentleman, even though he supposedly doesn’t like me. I’m starting to think I’m winning him over, but he’d probably deny it.

Luke is the first person I see. I lift a hand, and he brightens up, waving enthusiastically.

Working at the bookshop is good for him. Back in Moonglade Harbor, he was finishing up school, earning his degree in communications, but I don’t think he’s ready to do anything with it. Or maybe he doesn’t know what to do with it. Either way, it’s nice to see my often quiet little brother getting out of our haunted house.

“Hey!” Luke approaches us, giving Sterling a hesitant but curious look. “I didn’t know you were coming in today, Rory.”

Sterling whispers, lifting his eyebrows. “Can I call you Rory?”

“No.” I glare at him. “Shut up. It’s my childhood nickname. Let me guess, they called you Sterling when you were an itty bitty baby?”

“Yes, actually.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He lifts his hands, shrugging.

“Nice to see you’re getting along as well as ever.” Luke chuckles. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Gods, don’t go into customer service mode on me.” I ruffle Luke’s hair. “And no worries, I didn’t come here to embarrass you at work.”