Page 76 of Hollow
It turns out that Brom isn’t in this class, which is for the best since he’s a distraction on his own, and together with Kat, I wouldn’t be able to get anything done. So I’m somehow able to push the mysteries of him behind me and focus on our subject for the day, which happens to be how energy manipulation can be aided by spells, crystals and rituals, including blood magic.
“Blood magic,” I explain to the class, “has everything to do with fusing energy together. We’ve practiced with using our energy to influence others and how to block others from using that energy against us. Now, I want to talk about fusing one’s energy with another so that you are connected. Think about fungi. Your biology classes should be touching on how marvelous fungi are.”
I notice a few eyes glazing over at that, but I push on. “Mushrooms are connected to each other through underground pathways. What happens to one affects another. As witches, we know they can communicate with each other. This is what blood magic does when it’s applied to each other and our energy. Spilled blood fuses us together, connecting us on another plane, one we can’t see unless you’re looking through the veils. With the right spells and incantations, we’re able to become one with another, our energy combining to become something extremely powerful.”
At that, I feel Kat’s eyes on me. Perhaps she’s thinking the same thing as I am. If we practiced blood magic on Brom, is it possible that we could break through whatever blockages he has in his memories? After all, I feel the reason that I’m able to retain my memories of the school when I pass the gates is due to my connection with Kat.
She gives me a little nod. Something to think about.
Too much to think about.
I get through the rest of the class, and I can tell the students are relieved that I didn’t ask any of them to take out a knife and start cutting themselves up.
When class is over, Kat goes straight to my desk. “Do you have a class after this?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. But I know you do.”
“It’s just philosophy,” she says. “I’m skipping it. Meet me at the stables when you’re ready.”
She turns and hurries out the door. Even though everyone suspects there’s something going on between us, the last thing I want is for someone to see us walking to the stables together, especially with what we’re about to discuss.
I wait a few minutes, gathering up the textbook I had pulled from the library on blood magic and rituals, then set out after her. A light drizzle is falling, peppering my shoulders with tiny droplets by the time I slip into the shelter of the stables.
I poke my head into Snowdrop’s stall, the horse giving me a welcoming nicker. I stroke her muzzle for a moment before moving on to the next stalls until I notice Kat’s coat hung up outside one of the empty stalls at the end, furthest from the school, closest to the woods.
I peer inside and see her there. Her back is against the wall, hidden in the shadows, but the moment she sees me, she runs forward through the hay floor and pulls me deeper inside.
“Thank God,” she says, holding on to my arms. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask, my hand sliding down to hold hers, wrapping around it. Her skin is cold and soft, and it does something to me, makes me feel like the more I hold on to her, the more I’ll fall through the earth.
She gives her head a shake, a strand of blonde hair coming loose. “I don’t know. I just thought maybe after everything, you would want some distance. There’s just so much…it’s too much.”
I reach out and brush her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear, and she closes her eyes at my touch. “I’m not going anywhere,” I murmur, running my fingers over her jaw until I’m gripping her chin. “You have me, my vlinder, no matter what happens, no matter what you’re about to tell me.”
Because I can tell she’s carrying something heavy on her shoulders, something I might not like.
“It’s Brom,” she says warily.
“I know.”
She gives her head another shake, rubbing her soft lips together, and fuck, do I ever want to kiss her. “No. You don’t know.”
I run my thumb over her lip, fighting the temptation to place my lips on hers and make everything go away. “Tell me, then.”
“Brom came over for supper last night with his parents,” she says. “They’re making him live on campus now.”
“Alright…”
“And my mom says I’m to live here too.”
I can’t help but smile. “So you’ll be closer to me. I don’t see how that’s a bad thing.”
“It’s a bad thing because my mother was so adamant that I don’t stay here. Now she’s completely changed her mind about it, and all because of Brom. They want me here only because he’s here.”
“I see.” Damned if I don’t feel the deep cut of jealousy again.
“Crane,” she says gravely, her eyes searching mine with trepidation, “they want me to marry him.”