Page 62 of Rituals & Rivalry

If not for Jewel, I don’t think I ever would have found my place in Starbrook, and maybe I still don’t know where that place is, but I think it’s a start. I stride into the building as if I belong there, even though I don’t. Right past Sterling, whose glasses fall off his face, and right past Antoni.

“Hey!” Antoni calls, grinning. “What can I help you with?”

“Nothing.” I flip my hair over my shoulder.

“Aurora?” Sterling says from behind me, something like awe filling his voice. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to⁠—”

I don’t spare him a glance, barging into Jewel’s office.

“Aurora.” Her eyes widen. “I didn’t know I was expecting you⁠—”

Oops. Gods, this isn’t the way to ask for a job, is it?

“You, um… You weren’t.” I wince and close the door behind me. “Sorry. I hope you’re not super busy⁠—”

“I’m not. Sit down.”

It’s a good thing she tells me to because my legs are jelly as I settle onto the couch across from her sturdy armchair. I keep my shoulders high, my posture straight—hard to do in a heavily cushioned seat, but I channel my inner Sterling. “I’m here to ask for a job. I heard you need an assistant.”

“Oh?” She blinks. “Who told you that?”

“Um… Sterling,” I mumble.

“And you’d like the job?” she asks, perching silver spectacles on her nose.

I clear my throat. “Yes. I would. I really enjoyed helping with the event, and I know what you do is different than Sterling’s job, but—actually, what do you do?”

She chuckles. “I’m the head of human and magical relations.”

“Oh…” Not quite as fun as Sterling’s event planning job—I think that’s what he does?—but I guess in a town like Starbrook, it’s still important. “Well. That’s good work.”

“You’d like to be involved?” She lifts a silver eyebrow. “Planning my schedule? Making calls?”

“Um…” I glance at the door. “Will I get my own desk?”

My own office is out of the question, considering how tiny the building is, but I can’t imagine playing musical chairs with Sterling and Antoni. It’s bad enough that I’ll be so close to Sterling⁠—

Gods. What was I thinking coming here like this? They could probably use someone at the café or the boutique, and I’d be better at both of those jobs than this.

“I can arrange that,” she says, chuckling. “Might as well get one for Antoni, too, I suppose, but it’s been amusing waiting for Sterling to finally ask for one.”

That’s why they’re sharing a desk?

I roll my eyes. “Typical Sterling.”

Always attending to others’ needs and ignoring his own. Gods, I need to stop thinking about him. Him and his pitiful looks and his big, caring hands.

“I can start on Monday,” I say.

“Good.” She lifts her eyebrows. “I’m going to email you an official offer, so this looks more above board, but welcome to the team, Aurora.”

My heart flutters. I’m on the team. I have… a job? I’ve had jobs before, sort of—part-time things, working at an art supply store, helping my mom with her schedule—but this feels different. My head is held high as I exit the office, and Sterling stares at me through narrowed eyes.

I don’t know why. Being here isn’t so odd for me, considering that Jewel is my mentor. I lift an eyebrow back at him, and finally, he approaches. I guess he can make the first move after all.

“What was that about?” he whispers.

I look back at the door. “I was… um… asking for a job. Like you suggested.”