A Class of Conjuring

Aurelius was doing his best to be a third wheel but then got the hint when Cassandra yawned and tucked her feet beneath her bottom. I'd noticed her eyes closing and head nodding as if she were about to fall asleep. I needed him to go so Cassandra and I could talk. He shook his head at me and rolled his eyes. I gave him a gentle motion with my head to get the heck out of the room so I could have some time with her. I wanted to tell her she'd saved the best for last but didn't need the added pressure of Aurelius' wandering ears.

"I'm going to go have a visit with Dash," Aurelius said and stood, struggling to catch his balance. We needed to help him as much as he needed to help us. He winked at me before disappearing through the kitchen.

"Hope you don't mind me sitting with you," I said to Cassandra. We had a connection, but I'd yet to determine how strong her connection to me actually was compared to the other guys. I didn't want to assume because assuming could get me hurt emotionally. I believed in trust but verify.

"Of course not," she said and rubbed my hand again. She looked up into my eyes, hers suddenly wide and inquiring. "I'm a little confused how I can like someone that I just met so much. Really, it's three of you. I've known Braeden since we were kids, and I think he's had a crush on me ever since. I never really considered the fact I may like so many guys at one time."

I chuckled and although I wanted to put my arm around her, I told myself not to. I had to be sure first. I'd rather suffer the pain of not knowing rather than suffering the pain of knowing I wasn't in her circle. "I think you have to understand people are naturally attracted to you. You have a vibe about you. We all felt it the first day we met you. Some of us are a little more guarded than others."

"Thank you," she said and rubbed my hand and arm, her skin soft, her fingertips an aphrodisiac exciting every nerve in my body. "I'm glad you feel that way. I want you to know I'd never do anything to hurt any of the you." She adjusted her feet and moved closer. Much closer and she would be on top of me. I laid my hand along her thigh, my fingers at her knee.

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the feeling her hand was giving me, trying to ignore the exhilaration from my hand being on her leg. I needed to control myself. Not be so easy to read. "Just because you like more than one guy doesn't mean you're betraying anyone. Just make sure they know. I think then everyone would be cool with it. I am."

"Yeah, but I'm worried about Braeden." She stared at the TV for a moment. A fat yellow guy was yelling at his yellow son. "I've known Braeden for most of my life. He's a good guy. He's lived through some tough times just like the rest of us. He just hides it better than everyone else."

I shook my head. "There's no need to worry. I can assure you he understands and accepts the fact you may like more than one of us." I suddenly froze. "I mean more than one guy." I took a deep breath and moved a bit closer, stealing the blanket from beneath her. When she grabbed for the blanket, her hand touched mine, and she gasped. I found myself wanting the same as Dash. I wanted whatever happened behind closed doors with the two of them to happen between the two of us.

I reconsidered what I'd said about Braeden and trusting he would do the right thing. Life had taught me to be less trusting and more skeptical until I saw the final product. Meaning Braeden's unequivocal acceptance of the way things were. Sure, he'd said as much, but actions always spoke louder than words. I didn't bother telling Cassandra I wasn't so sure about Braeden's commitment anymore.

Cassandra stared at me for a long moment, her hand remaining on mine. "Your hand is warm," she said, and I was thankful for the escape from my own thoughts regardless of how short of time that would be. My mind had pretty much been on her since we saw her in the admin building.

"And yours are colder than they should be," I replied and moved her hands between mine, the energy traveling between us undeniable. At that moment several things were unmistakable, but I decided it was not the time to test my theory. I kicked myself for overthinking like Oliver often did. Things were always black and white with me, and I needed to keep them that way. Love had a way of knocking you down a few notches if you weren't careful.

"Thank you," she said. "You're such a gentleman." She squeezed my hand, and I let the feeling to take her into my arms subside.

I glanced at the fireplace and considered tossing in another log, but I didn't want to leave the warmth of the spot next to Cassandra. In fact, I didn't ever want to move. Oliver rolled to his side and scratched his nose. For a moment I thought our private conversation was going to be interrupted. He snuggled against a plant and went back to snoring. He reminded me of a Saint Bernard.

Braeden slept like a rock with his arms wrapped around a blanket. I kind of felt bad for the guy. He brought Cassandra to the academy, and suddenly she had four guys falling for her. And, apparently, Dash had been her first instead of him, though all of us wished we had been her first. How in the hell could he accept such a thing?

"I guess you know what Dash and I were doing," she said, and I nodded. "It doesn't bother you?"

Oliver turned to his other side. I didn't believe it would bother any of us. "Not at all," I said. "He had a huge smile on his face when he left the bedroom. It sure as hell beats the frown he's always wearing. So yeah, I'm good with it. He told you about Challis."

Cassandra nodded. "He did. Sounds like she hurt him pretty bad. He told me a few things and then clammed up. I could tell he didn't want to discuss it any further, so I didn't."

"Safe to say, nobody needs to bring her up unless he does," I said. "She tore at his core. He thought she was the one, and then she wasn't. Messed with his head pretty bad. It also messed with our friendship for a while. He didn't want to be bothered by anyone."

She gently bit into her lower lip and looked up at me again. "What if I wanted more than just a relationship with him? Then what?"

I shook my head profusely. "You mean like marry him? No way. He wouldn't go for that. That boy would hit the road and never look back."

She playfully slapped me on the shoulder. "That's not what I mean, goofball." She smiled. "I mean a relationship with each of you."

"I told you, we all feel connected to you. We would die for you." A bead of sweat raced down my chest and took up residence in my bellybutton. "It's getting warm in here," I said as I tugged at my collar.

Cassandra giggled and shook her head. "Not yet." She placed her hand on my cheek and turned my face toward her. Oliver mumbled something in his sleep, but it did nothing to distract Cassandra. "I mean a relationship sort of like the one I now have with Dash." She caressed my cheek.

"What do you do when you run off into the woods as a wolf?" I knew the question would come up eventually. "Do you have a wolf girlfriend?"

I laughed, and she gave me a sheepish smile. "When I become a wolf, I become one with the earth," I said. "The clothes are gone. All the world's worries are gone. I'm free out there. Nothing bothers me or impedes my way in life." I thought about the wolf girlfriend question and smiled. "Before I came to the academy, I did have a female wolf friend. But it was only that, friends. We ran the forest together."

"I'd like to go with you some day," she said. "To see what it's like."

"I'll make it so," I replied. "We can make it a weekend. There's a small cave about a mile from campus. I've filled it with hay. It's the only place I ever get a good night's sleep."

"I think that sounds awesome," Cassandra said. "We could sit out and watch the stars and then lay in the hay together." She smiled, and my breathing became noticeably heavier.

We sat silently for a long minute, our eyes never looking away, her hand still against my face. A bulge began forming between my legs. I wanted her right then and there while the others slept around us. But then I decided it wasn't the way I wanted to do things with her. I wanted to be different than everyone else. I wanted the time to be romantic with flowers and music and stars in the sky. I wanted birds chirruping and angels singing. There in the living room was not the place to start my relationship with the woman I loved. Besides, the night belonged to Dash and he deserved to celebrate what the two had done.

"I really do appreciate you guys," she said.

"We're going to get your powers back for you. I promise. We just need to figure some things out." I brushed back her hair, and she sighed. I kissed her forehead and thought I'd never felt anything better.

Cassandra dropped her hand in my lap and leaned her head against my shoulder, yawning and letting out a long breath. Having her head against my shoulder sent an excited rush through my head. I pushed her hair back over her ear and away from her face. Everything about the woman was desirable, even her wacky magic. I played with her hair, gently rolling the curls through my fingers, watching her fall fast asleep. She'd lost her virginity to one guy and had three others wanting to be her next in line. I really didn't care who was next, only that it would eventually be me. There was no need to force my destiny. I believed the universe would eventually bring me my just reward.

Oliver sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. It took him a minute to realize where he was. I honestly didn't care if it were him before me. Everyone liked Oliver for good reason. I kissed Cassandra's forehead once more. "She really likes you," he said. "I think you're safe in her circle. Our circle."

"Yeah, I hope so. I'd hate to be wrong," I said. "I just hope she didn't say those things because she was tired. I did want her to know we would support whatever she wanted. If she wants us all then so be it, as long as she's doing it for herself and not for us. Otherwise, it won't last."

"I think it's safe to say we're all in this together. Everyone understands they have a role to play in whatever this is that's happening." Oliver stood and disappeared into the bathroom, one of his favorite places to think. I was a lucky guy no matter how many times I doubted it.

Aurelius appeared from the shadow of the kitchen, clapping his hands but not making a sound. "Well done, Kyler," he said. "It's good to see you understand the magical connection that binds the five of you." He pointed at us. "Treat her well, and she'll return the favor tenfold."