Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles 3)

“I brought you some of Amma’s famous pecan pie. We missed you at dinner. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Except I did.

Liv tossed her napkin down on the table. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not interrupting anything. We were just sitting down to a supper of somewhat questionable hen parts.”

“Hey. That’s our first Thanksgiving you’re talking about, sweetheart.” John grinned at her—and stared at me.

I ignored him. “Liv, do you think you can help me with something for a minute?”

She pushed her chair away from the table. “Lead on, Wayward.”

I could feel John’s eyes on me as we left the room.

Sweetheart.

I grabbed Liv by the arm as soon as we were out of Incubus earshot. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to eat my Thanksgiving dinner.” Her cheeks went pink,

but she didn’t slow down.

“I meant, what are you doing with him?”

She pulled her arm free. “Are you looking for something in particular? Was there a reason you needed me?” We had made our way to the Lunae Libri and disappeared into the stacks, and I watched the torches light along the wall, marking the way we had come. She took one from the wall.

“Last I heard, he doesn’t eat anything but Doritos.”

“He doesn’t. He was keeping me company. Being… a friend.”

I stepped in front of her, and she stopped walking. “Liv. He’s not your friend.”

She was annoyed. “Then what is he? If you’re such an expert?”

“I don’t know what he is or what he’s doing, but I know he’s not your friend.”

“What do you care?”

“Liv, you could’ve come over today. You were invited. Macon and Marian were there. They wanted you to come.”

“That’s quite an invitation. I can’t imagine how I missed it.”

I knew her feelings were hurt, but I didn’t know how to fix it. I should’ve invited her myself. “I mean, we all wanted you to come.”

“I’m sure you did. Just as I’m sure I still have the bruises to show from the last time I saw Lena.”

“The Furor was a spell. And believe me, you gave as good as you got.”

She softened. “I know I could have come to your house today. But I didn’t belong there. I don’t belong anywhere. And, I suppose, neither does John. Maybe Mortals and Incubuses aren’t so different after all.”

“You do belong, Liv. And you don’t have to stay down here with him. You’re not a monster.”

Like he is.

Ethan? Is everything okay?

Lena was reaching out to me.

Yeah, L. Be there in a minute.

No rush.