Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway Page B

got all weak-kneed around him. Maybe it was the band thing. Rockers always had a big appeal for Bea. Of course, who was I kidding? If I thought I had a chance with him, I’d be all over that. “We’re a bit late, though not quite on ‘pagan time’ yet,” I said, but Bea was already out of her shoes and into the living room to find out.
    I took my time, slowly untying my Converses. Despite my growing enthusiasm, I remembered Ramses’ words of warning.
    Just then, Mom came in, carrying a grocery bag of supplies from the trunk. “Oh,” Mom said, seeing me sitting on the bench. “I thought you’d be mingling by now. You’re not still nervous, are you?”
    “Why won’t you talk to me about Dad? Is he really that horrible?” Despite myself, my voice trembled.
    Setting the bag down by the door, Mom slid onto the bench next to me. She put an arm around my shoulder and let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose I do owe you some explanation. After all, in a matter of hours you’ll be a full member of this coven and all our secrets will be yours to keep as well.”
    I could hardly believe my ears. I held my breath.
    “Your father isn’t one of us. He’s from the other side. Our union—him and me—well, it was meant to be a peace treaty of sorts, but it was a mistake from the beginning.”

Six
    A mistake? Did she mean me?
    Mom saw my expression and shook her head. “It’s very important that before I tell you more, you pass your Initiation. You see, your father is at the center of all this, and I’m so angry at him for showing up tonight and putting crazy thoughts into your head. You need to focus on the Initiation. Try to put him out of your mind for now, okay? I promise it will all make sense soon.”
    It was disappointingly vague, but I nodded. “You promise you’ll tell me?”
    “Witch to witch,” Mom said, giving me a hand to shake.
    I hesitated before taking Mom’s offered palm. “And if I don’t become a True Witch tonight?”
    “Honey, you will. Blood will out.”
    The second mention of blood tonight, and I felt even more uncertain as I shook on Mom’s solemn oath. “Witch to witch,” I repeated.
    Mom gave me a quick hug and a gentle push in the direction of the living room. “I heard Nikolai would be here.” She smiled. “I think he likes you.”
    “Mom!” I admonished, and I felt myself color with embarrassment. Besides, Bea would be so miffed if she thought that was true. To escape Mom’s sly, knowing smile, I hurried off to the crowded common room.
     
     
    I DIDN’T LIKE THESE BIG gatherings. Even though I knew everyone here, I never quite knew what to do with myself. Bea could insert herself into a group without seeming rude or awkward. Not me. I just stood near the fireplace and watched with some jealousy as Bea moved from group to group easily. Finally, Bea caught my eye and waved me over.
    Of course, she would have to be standing next to Nikolai when she did.
    He brightened when he saw me approaching, and I had to admit he had a dazzling smile. Plus, thanks to a Russian father and Romany mother, he had thick, dark curls and a kind of smoldering intensity that both frightened and enchanted me. Like the rest of us, he’d dressed the part of the young witch. In his case, he opted for the billowy peasant shirt with poet sleeves and tight leather pants. Wow, he looked good in those. The motorcycle boots were a nice, modern touch, especially with the ankle jewelry jangling like spurs near his heels.
    I had some trouble meeting his eyes by the time I stood next to Bea, who thoughtfully widened the circle to include me. The other person in their group was Shannon, who was not yet fifteen. She had tinsel woven into her tight cornrows and glitter on her cheeks. Shannon was the opposite of me in many ways—baby plump, dark skinned—but the biggest was that she was a prodigy: so good at magic that she’d be Initiated early, almost two years ahead of schedule.
    “Did you see Nik’s new ink?”