Lock and Key (Nocturne Academy 1)

“I don’t know—she never told me. I only know she was very firm about it—and also very firm that she never wanted you to be raised in the ways of magic either.” She bit her lip. “In that, I’m afraid I didn’t keep to her wishes. I couldn’t tell you about your heritage yourself, but I knew if I could get you into Nocturne Academy, you would find out on your own.” She looked at me appealingly. “I hope I did the right thing.”

“You did,” I told her firmly. “I just wish I knew what Mom saw on that retreat that made her so scared of her own magic…and that made her want me to keep away from magic too.”

“I wish I knew too,” Aunt Dellie said sadly. She got up from the table and began clearing her dishes. “But I feel that the Goddess will reveal it to you eventually, Meggie dear. I just hope you’ll be safe and nothing bad will happen because I went against your mother’s wishes.”

“I’ll be fine, Aunt Dellie,” I said, trying to put her mind at ease. “I’ve already got friends—coven-mates—and it feels like we’ve been together all our lives.”

She smiled and nodded.

“Oh yes—those first bondings are so strong and they can last a lifetime. You know, I believe the Goddess puts us together with our coven-mates for a reason. Each person she brings into your life has something they can teach you—and something you can teach them. Just listen to the will of the Goddess and stay true to your friends—they’ll see you through good times and bad, Meggie.”

I thought of Avery and Emma and Kaitlyn and realized I was missing them even now. Maybe I should text the three of them and see what they were up to.

As Aunt Dellie rinsed the dishes and loaded them in the dishwasher, I pulled out my battered cell phone which I had barely used at all my first week at Nocturne Academy. Mostly because there were so many dead spots due to magical interference that it was practically useless there.

It was an old iPhone with a thin, silvery crack across its face but it still worked all right and I certainly couldn’t afford anything newer. I pressed the home button to bring it to life and started to go to my texting app but then I saw that someone had already texted me.

Looking at the bubble popping up on my screen, I felt my heart start to pound. The text wasn’t from any of my coven-mates.

It was from Griffin.

51

I called to Aunt Dellie that I was tired and going up to my room early and then raced up the creaking wooden stairs, my iPhone clutched hard in my hand.

The minute I got into my bedroom with its antique toys and creepy, dead-eyed dolls, I threw myself on the bed and read what Griffin had written.

Hello, little witch. Home safe? his text read and it had been sent only a few minutes before.

At my aunt’s house, I texted back. Where were you after last period?

Heard the excellent news that Sanchez was expelled, was the reply. So I thought you didn’t need me anymore.

My heart leapt up in my throat and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Then my thumbs started moving on their own, it seemed.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you, I sent back, aware of how shamelessly needy it sounded. Yet somehow I couldn’t seem to help myself.

His answer came back almost immediately.

I want to see you too, little witch. But I don’t know if it’s a good idea.

You won’t hurt me, I sent back. I know you won’t. We need to talk.

You don’t know that, he countered. And what is there to talk about?

I took a breath, wondering how much I should say.

Have you ever heard of a prophecy? I sent after deliberating for a moment. One that might involve you and me?

A bubble with three little dots blinked on my phone’s screen for so long I thought he must be writing a book. But when his reply finally popped up, almost five minutes later, it was only four words long.

We need to talk.

Where and when? I sent back immediately. I was aware that our original plan to meet Saturday night was probably getting thrown out the window but I didn’t care—I just wanted to see him. Between my breasts, the black key throbbed in agreement.

Tonight, Griffin texted back. My place.

Where’s your place? Never been there, I sent.

Not far from you. I’ll come get you. 10 all right?

I probably should have hesitated, probably should have thought things through. After all, I still wasn’t sure it was safe to be with him alone. But somehow I couldn’t seem to help myself—I just wanted to see him. No, I needed to see him.