Page 28 of Bound By Fury

Sam nods sagely, but Daisy’s brow furrows.

“So it had nothing to do with Malachi and Lucas?”

“What?! No! I mean, I knew they went here, but I didn’t come here for them. I’d prefer if I never saw them again, actually. Especially Malachi.”

Sam and Daisy share a look.

“Bad blood?”

“No, it’s just—” It’s not so much that I can’t explain it, but that I don’t want to. I don’t want to think about it at all. Ever. Even if that’s proving impossible.

Sam dabs a napkin at their lips. “It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it. The school does have an incredible art program. After the endowment came through, they totally renovated the arts building. I’m not in fine arts, but I do some tech work for the theater department, and it’s been nice.”

Grateful we’ve moved on, I lean forward. “Really? I can’t wait to get in there and see. My last school was so underfunded, it wasn’t funny. I spent all my money from babysitting on supplies because all our shit was broken and dried out.”

“I’m sorry,” Daisy says, holding up her hand. “What’s the actual reason you’re here?”

I freeze.

“I—” I look between Daisy and Sam, but Sam seems just as confused as I feel. “What?”

“I don’t know,” she says, tapping her finger against her chin. “You’re holding something back. I can sense it.”

“Oh Lord, here we go.” Sam puts their head in their hands.

I glance between the two of them. “What’s going on?”

“Listen, sometimes I just know things. It’s a gift from my ama. And something tells me you aren’t giving us the whole truth.”

“Not that we’re entitled to that information!” Sam says, panic lacing their voice.

“You’ve got another reason for being here. Something that’s causing you pain. Your aura is very blue. You’re so sad. You’re… grieving?” She opens her eyes and looks at me expectantly.

My heart is slamming against my ribs. What the fuck.

“Um, well, um, my grandma—I called her Gigi—she recently passed—”

“Oh shit, I’m sorry.”

“—and she used to go here when she was my age. So when I got the scholarship, I knew I wanted to come here like she did. She didn’t want me to at first, but then she died, and…” I shrug. “I knew this was the right decision.”

It’s only a small part of the truth. After whatever just happened during my confrontation with Missy, I know now, with certainty, that I’m at BMA for a reason. Some divine calling, maybe. Or something to do with the witches. With this inexplicable power inside me. But I can’t tell two virtual strangers that. I want them to be my friends, not think that I’m a freak.

Though I can’t deny that this weirdness with Daisy has me on edge.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Daisy says.

It’s all anyone can say.

“I lost my ama a few years ago as well, and it was awful.”

I know she means well, but I can’t bring myself to keep talking about this. So instead, I ask the question that’s been bothering me for the last few minutes.

“So anyway, you’re a Pisces, right?” I ask Daisy.

“I—well, yes, actually!” She smiles widely.

Sam’s eyes are round. “How’d you know that?”