Unbound (Unbound, Book 1) ~Formerly Casting Power~

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Using just my thumb and pointer finger, I reached in and grabbed for the keys, accidentally pinching his thigh before gaining a firm grasp. He didn't say a word—not even a flinch—but my face was scarlet by the time I looked back up. I fumbled with shaky fingers until the trunk was popped and then stepped away as it opened as though something was about to jump out and grab me.

He laughed as he set the box inside and my face flamed even brighter. My fingers felt tingly—I might not be able to be his friend, but I could still enjoy what little I could get. I could deny the attraction until I was blue in the face, but he was hot.

"So, tell me why you can't mail these." He closed the trunk and turned to face me before I managed to look away. "Why will they come back return to sender? What did Devland do?"

"I don't know what he did exactly," I said, my hands lifting and hitting my sides as my body slumped, "but I can't reach anyone from home or, I'm assuming, outside of Wickenton in general."

"What? Busy signal or something?"

I shook my head and we began walking back to my car. "It's more than that. I get the operator when I call, my texts all come back as error messages, and I can't email. I tried sending a letter and it came back."

"What a dick."

"Devland?"

"Yeah, who else? Complete ass." He nodded, smiling, and nudged me with his shoulder. "Want me to tell my mom on him?"

"Ha!" I smiled for the first time in two days. "No, thank you. I think that I can handle Devland."

"You're sure?" He looked serious now, concerned.

"I'm sure." I paused and took a deep breath. "But do you think that your mom might be able to help me with something else?"

"I'm starting to regret giving you space!" he said and held out his hand to stop me before we got in sight of the school. He cast a quick look behind him to be sure that we were still alone. "You've been here for a few weeks and you've had more things happen than I have since freshman year."

"I'm serious, Calin." I looked away from his scrutiny. It was too easy to fall into our bubble.

"I'm pretty sure that my mom would do anything if you asked her."

"She doesn't need to do anything, really. Maible said that she knows a lot about things, you know, that have to do with the Craft." I rolled my eyes and waved my hands in the air. It felt silly to talk about out loud.

"She does." He nodded and continued to watch me with a half-smile.

"Can you ask her something for me then? A couple of somethings, actually," I amended. "I need to know what kind of spell could be done to make someone forget something, and anything to do with that something."

"Uh..." He looked at me warily, but I ignored him.

"I also need to know how to reverse a curse that's been placed on someone. Maible knows but she's been weird lately, so I don't want to ask her unless I really have to."

"Is that all?"

"No." I shook my head. "But the last thing I had wanted to talk to her about, I... Well, I have to ask her personally."

"Really?" He narrowed his gaze. "Why don't you just come over and ask her everything? She'd love to meet you."

I paused and then shook my head. "No. I need to concentrate on my first two questions. No offense. I mean, I want to meet my mom's best friend and all, but I have some stuff to deal with. If I get all side-tracked with my emotions, I won't be able to, you know?"

"If I ask you why you need to ask her this stuff, will you tell me?"

"Not a chance." I smiled and stepped away so his presence would stop turning me into such a babbling moron. "Do you think you could find out for Monday, though? I kind of want to deal with it all sooner than, you know, later." I rolled my eyes skyward. "The quicker it's done, the quicker I don't have to think about it anymore."

"Okay." He raised his hands and then dropped them before they connected with my shoulder. "I won't push."

"So, what was it your mom sent me?"

"Oh, crap." He smacked himself in the forehead, totally having a 'duh' moment. "I came all the way out here to find you and forgot it in my locker. Don't worry. If we go get it now, we won't even be late for class."

A chill ran down my spine and I shuddered, and when I looked up at the path leading into the school, every nerve twitched my muscles, urging me to leave. The entire building looked like it had been cast in shadow while everything else remained shiny and bright under the cloudless blue sky. The shadows were pervasive, screaming at me to run and seek safety far, far away. And once I got far away? I should run even farther.

Even then, it wouldn't be enough distance.

"Actually, um..." I coughed and darted my eyes to my car and then back again. "I'm going home."

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah." I nodded and jerked my gaze back to my car. "Can you tell Maible I'm sorry, but I can't drive her home today?"

"What about your present?"

"I can get it Monday," I rushed, getting antsier. "Thank you for sending my mail for me. I really appreciate it."

I pivoted to run toward my car and then paused, once again seeing Trevor across the street. It was the same car, too, but when I blinked it was gone—he wasn't there. Apparently, neither was my brain. It had to have been my imagination. As if I needed confirmation of my lack of sanity at this point.

I forced myself to walk the short distance to my car with composure after that. I could still feel Calin's gaze watching me, curious and worried, and refused to give him a reason to start a conversation with me again. One of the biggest perks of Grimas compared to Pederson was that Grimas didn't have a gate to keep students from leaving prematurely or coming in late.