Page 63 of Awakened and Betrayed
She looks to be maybe eleven, but I’m shit when it comes to judging ages. Her green eyes are more emerald versus Sabin’s forest-green color, but the rest of their features and coloring are too similar for them not to be closely related somehow.
“If they physically touch you first, they’re fair game,” I tell her.
Cyndol gives me a wide smile, and Sabin rubs his hands over his face in exasperation.
“Tell an instructor first Cyn; they’ll keep them away from you.”
Ignoring Sabin, Cyndol steps closer to me. “Will you show me how to punch?”
I open my mouth to answer, but Sabin’s resounding “no” cuts me off.
A man calls Sabin’s name, and he looks over to the caster that’s making his way towards us. As soon as Sabin turns his head, I shake my headyesat Cyndol, and she lights back up with excitement. Like a born pickpocket, she slides an unlocked phone into my hand. I quickly type in my number and name while Sabin greets the other man with a hug. I slide the phone back to Cyndol, and she tucks it away as Sabin turns to introduce me to one of his dads. He narrows his eyes at me, his gaze filled with suspicion. I just blink innocently at him.
“Vinna, this is my dad Luke; Dad this is Vinna, my mate. And this is my little sister Cyndol, whom you’ve already corrupted in the three seconds you’ve known her.” He glares playfully at his little sister, and I chuckle at his teasing tone.
Luke’s eyes widen a bit in shock, but he does a commendable job covering it up as he shakes my hand.
“Anyone else here?” Sabin asks his dad, as he looks around.
“No, they’re out doing deliveries, they won’t be back for a couple more hours probably. It’s just me and…”
Luke looks to Cyndol, who’s trying to look inconspicuous just behind Sabin.
“Missy, you’re supposed to be stocking shelves as punishment, now get to it.”
She pouts, and her shoulders hunch as she side hugs Sabin and walks toward a doorway I’m assuming leads to a back room. Sabin and his dad are talking about what happened with her at school, and I raise my hand in the universal sign forcall me.Cyndol nods enthusiastically and disappears through the push door. I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear trying to mask my movement when I notice Sabin look over at me.
Nothing to see here Captain.I shrug innocently.
“So what brings you here, since I’m assuming you’re not here to make introductions.” Luke teases.
Sabin’s ear tips redden again, and I find it completely adorable until I remember why we’re here.
“We need a birth control potion,” he mumbles, and Luke’s eyes fill with humor.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that, what did you need?”
I laugh, already deciding that Luke and I are kindred spirits, and Sabin gets even redder. Before I can join in on the teasing, I spot the bottle of honeysuckle shampoo and conditioner that my shower was stocked with.
“This came from here?” I ask, reaching for the bottle and taking a deep inhale of the incredible scent.
“Yes, that’s from our premium line. Spelled Honeysuckle with a hint of Jasmine; it’s great for sharpening your intuition, stimulates creativity, attracts and increases love, and is useful in increasing sexuality.”
I look over to Sabin. “Captain, you gave me sex shampoo?”
He rolls his eyes at me. “Of all the things he said it does, of course, that’s the one you focus on.”
Luke, being my kindred spirit and new dad bestie, pounces on the opportunity to harass his child. “He totally gave you sex shampoo.”
“He did!” I agree.
“So, about that potion,” Sabin interjects, stopping us before we can really get started harassing him.
Luke chuckles. “Come with me.”
33
Luke runs Sabin’s card and pulls out a handled box that holds all the spells and potions we’re buying. I’m like a kid in a magical candy store; there are so many cool things in here. I’m stocked up on birth control for the next year, and I only have to take a potion that tastes like sweetened tea once a month. I loaded up on sex shampoo and conditioner, bought a potion called Copal for Knox when Luke told me it helps with spelling, and some hair dye spells because that’s a prank I’m going to love pulling.
