My day was getting better already. Duely wasn’t disowning me or scared of me, he was offering me somewhere to stay for awhile, and had a job lead. I needed to cook Duely dinner tonight. I’d clean his apartment, too, but it was spotless. He had no issue with using magic to do things like clean his apartment. I would have to find a way to pay him back for his help. He’d been my hero today.

I decided to head back to Margo and Heath’s apartment and explain my running off last night. I had time to kill waiting on Duely to get back to me on the interview with Lala. I’d do some research on her after I left Margo and Heath’s. I wanted to know more about her before I spoke to her. Rathe hadn’t turned to go toward the apartment when he had pulled out of the parking lot so there was a solid chance he was going somewhere else that would keep him away long enough for me to visit my friends.

Time. Just some time away from him was all it would take. He was the first guy to draw me in since I was fifteen. He’d been my first grown up attraction. I was sure this reaction was typical. If I could avoid him for a week or two then go back to being friends as if nothing happened, it would work. I was sure of it. Maybe.

When I pulled into the parking lot of their apartment, I saw no sign of the black Charger. He wasn’t here, but both Margo and Heath’s vehicles were parked in their normal spots. I pulled beside Margo’s and got out. I stared down at the door of the car. The lock clicked into place immediatly. I wasn’t sure what all I could do without saying an incantation and directing my energy with my hands. Locking the door was one of those things apparently. Not using magic daily, I didn’t know what I could do when it came to simple things. Like today, could I have sealed Rathe’s doors shut without speaking or raising my hand in that direction? I had no idea. Did I want to know? I’d spent my life trying to be like my father. Trying to not be a witch. I had lumped being charmed and evil together. They weren’t one and the same. Duely wasn’t evil and he used magic daily.