Page 55 of Rituals & Rivalry

It still doesn’t light.

I don’t think I’ve ever planned anything this grand. No, scratch that. I definitely haven’t. I’ve thrown house parties and attended some cool ones, but this is different. This is bringing a community together. This is mysticism at play.

Even without access to my gifts, as I look around the festival, I know I made something magical.

There are booths and trucks full of vendors selling food, drinks, magical wares, and everything Starbrook has to offer. The gigantic hay maze looms off in the distance, and a group of children giggles and weaves through the space. In the center of the town square rests a massive Jack-o'-lantern. The biggest I’ve ever seen, thanks to a spell. I have to crane my neck up and up to see it all, and the glow from it reflects into the surrounding areas.

The air has a chill to it, but on a night like tonight, I’m hot.

Nervous. Sweaty.

Because I still haven’t used my magic, and I don’t think I can.

Sterling did most of the work for the event, of course. Seeing him take control, plan everything down to a T, and boss people around so politely? Totally hot. He’s speaking to one of the vendors now, describing exactly how they’ll wire power to their booth. Sterling rolls up the sleeves of his sweater, showing off his strong forearms and the hair that’s scattered over them.

Gods, am I drooling?

He has me feeling like this a lot lately, and the adorable way he blushes whenever I flirt with him?

Too cute. I definitely need to stop and focus on my magic, but flustering him is becoming a new hobby of mine. It’s a good distraction from the fact that I’m going to totally fuck everything up tonight.

They’re expecting a ritual, and I can’t even do a fire spell. Seriously. Even a baby witch can do that.

So, yeah. I’d rather focus on the tendons in Sterling’s hands, thanks.

“Pick your jaw up,” Scarlet drawls, appearing out of nowhere. “You look like a loser.”

Out of all of the witches and others Farrah has introduced me to, Scarlet isn’t exactly my favorite, but she has her moments.

I laugh and shake my head. “What? Have you never looked at him like that? Come on, he has the best friend’s brother trope written all over him.”

She wrinkles her nose. “He’s a nerd. Always has been.”

“Hm… I think I’m into that.”

Not my usual type, but it’s charming when it’s Sterling.

Scarlet lets out a low, steady sigh. “There’s no accounting for your taste.”

I turn to face her, grateful for the distraction. “Shouldn’t you be setting up for your show? Warming up your voice rather than yapping about me?”

“Probably.”

She walks away without another word, and when I turn to look for Sterling, he’s heading right for me. Why do I feel like I can’t play cool around him anymore?

Maybe because he’s the only one who knows I lost my magic. What if I make a total fool of myself? He hasn’t considered that, but I definitely have.

“You all right?” he asks, running a hand through his hair. The way he messes it up is just so—swoon.

“Fine,” I chirp, looking away, my attention caught by one of the many globes of light floating around the event. The air smells of popcorn and pumpkin coffee, and acoustic music floats through as Scarlet prepares.

“Should be starting soon, right?” I ask. “It’s kind of exciting. First town event and all. I mean, obviously I went to things in Moonglade Harbor, but this is smaller, which makes it kind of bigger, I guess—intimate⁠—”

“Stop rambling.”

“Okay.”

“You’re going to do great.” He squeezes my shoulder and leaves me.