My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) by Dorothy Dreyer Page B

let’s just talk about something else, please.” Though we’d already turned the corner, she checked over her shoulder. Did she expect to see Hunter there?
    My mind scrambled for something to talk about. Besides prom, that is, since I figured Mara was bluffing about having a date. Plus, I was still feeling a bit sensitive about the subject because Gavin hadn’t officially asked me yet. “So, you’re doing really well with training.”
    She did a double take, as if her mind was elsewhere and she was trying to figure out what I’d just said. “Oh. Yeah. Lilura makes me kind of nervous, so I don’t do as well as I could. I mean, back before I knew about all the Vila stuff, I used to be able to make things happen without even thinking twice about it. No training, just plain, old, unleashed magic. Of course, I didn’t know about the dangers back then, either. But now, with this formal training… I don’t know. How was it for you in the beginning?”
    I wrinkled my nose. “Not good. I was a lot slower than you were, and it took a long time to master each element. But when we found out Gavin was my Cation, that helped a lot.”
    Her lips formed a perfect pout. “When do I get a Cation?”
    “Lilura talked to me about Cations once. She said they work for every Vila, but some have a better connection than others do. She said Gavin affects my powers more than he affects hers. Probably more than he’d affect any other Vila. So Gavin would boost your powers too, but we don’t know how much. We’d have to test it out.”
    She looked at me sideways. “You don’t mind me using your boyfriend?”
    Laughing, I gave her a shove. “Limit it to Vila purposes, and you’re fine.”
    For the rest of the walk home, Mara went on about what a jerk Hunter was. He’d obviously gotten under her skin. He was probably extremely pleased with himself about that.
    When we got home, I found Naomi in the living room chatting up Dad. Her overnight bag sat waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Luckily, Dad liked Naomi, so I didn’t have to worry about him letting her sleep over. Dad could be cool like that.
    “Hey, girls.” Dad waved from his recliner.
    “Hi, Dad,” Mara and I said in unison.
    Dad gestured toward Naomi with his head. “Sleepover on a school night, Zadie?”
    I put on my most charming smile. “Think of it more like a study night. We’ve got a final exam in biology coming up. We’ll just be studying.”
    Dad stood and nodded as he came over to me. “Well, okay. Don’t stay up too late.”
    “We won’t, Dad.” Stretching to my tiptoes, I placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
    “Oh, and…” He put a hand on my arm and lowered his voice. “Don’t forget we’re supposed to visit your mother this weekend.”
    A small ripple of anxiety fluttered through me. “Right. Okay.”
    I forced a smile and faced Naomi, who took my cue and came over to join me.
    “We’re making dinner, Mr. Stonebrook. You sit back down. We’ll be right back.” Naomi grabbed her bag and followed me up the stairs.
    “We’re making dinner?” I whispered.
    “Hey, my mom’s an expert at winning people over with food. I picked up a few tips from her.”
    After a surprisingly successful dinner, Naomi and I slipped back upstairs. Naomi hummed as she changed into sweat pants and a halter-top. Naomi wasn’t usually a hummer. Was she nervous about keeping an eye on me tonight? If she was, I couldn’t blame her.
    A knock on the door caused us to look up. Mara stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. She kept her voice low as she came face-to-face with Naomi. “Remember, this isn’t some pajama jammy jam. We’re looking out for Zadie. If she gets up in the middle of the night, come get me.”
    Naomi saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”
    Mara pushed her palm against Naomi’s forehead and eased her back. “As you were, soldier.”
    “Good night, Mara,” I said. She winked at me as she left my room.
    Naomi pressed her back against the