“There isn’t a spell or something that can keep you warm enough outside?” It seemed like a realistic solution, but I didn’t know very much about the limits of magic despite my weekend of studying. My suggestion was really based on movies and books.
“Fire witches can,” Theo answered. “Some of the Earth witches with the season’s specialty can manipulate the weather around them, but it takes way too much energy to spread that over the entire campus.”
“Yeah, it would take a seriously powerful, bonded witch to do that for even a few minutes.” Hannah seemed entertained by the thought.
“A bonded witch? Why would that matter?” I asked.
“Because bonded supes are far more powerful.” Sai sliced another serving of cake. I wasn’t sure how he could eat another bite, but I was too concerned with the bonded business to ask. Natasha explained about bonded pairs, but I was still curious.
“So, being bonded really can make that much of a difference? Going from keeping yourself warm to warming the entire campus?”
“It’s more than that, but yeah, I guess that’s a decent visual for you.” Theo said.
“Dormant powers you didn’t even know about can develop after you bonded.” Malik leaned forward with a wicked grin. “My aunt can change specific parts of herself rather than a full shift. Like make her nose more sensitive or draw out her claws. That takes a ton of control and power. Most shifters can’t ever learn to do that, but it’s a hell of a lot easier as a bonded pair.”
“Whoa,” I gasped. “Does everyone have a pair?”
They all went quiet, sharing looks I couldn’t decipher.
“That’s not an easy one to answer. There’s no proof either way. Since you might never meet your pair, does that mean that they don’t exist or that you just never found them?” Daniel shrugged.
“My roommate, Natasha, told me she was working on a spell to help locate her friend’s pair. Why don’t more people do that?”
Hannah choked, coughing uncontrollably, and Daniel jumped up to run toward the food line for a drink. He brought her back a bottle of water, and she carefully sipped until she could breathe.
I was frozen, watching her with dread filling me. What had I said wrong?
“She told you that?” She finally got the words out.
“Yeah, a vampire dropped off his nail clippings at our door, and when I gave them to her, I asked what they were for.”
She sucked in a deep breath with her jaw clenched. “She shouldn’t be doing that.”
“Why?” I glanced around the table, but the guys were looking anywhere but at us.
“Because it’s forbidden. That’s manipulating fate.”
“But she said it was one of the few ways to use magic to find your pair. She made it seem like it was what everyone did.”
Theo groaned. “Natasha’s always pushing the boundaries. She thinks because of her family she’s above the rules.”
“Her family?” She hadn’t said anything about them.
“Her grandfather is on the council,” Hannah explained.
“Thecouncil? Like the main one?”
She nodded, and I looked to Theo, who unfortunately confirmed. Huh. Well, that would make anyone think they were above the rules. It wasn’t like she would get into too much trouble if her grandfather was in charge of the entire supernatural world.
“I didn’t know.” That seemed like something she would brag about. But maybe she didn’t like what everyone assumed about her. I’d have to ask her one day, maybe once she did more than tolerate my existence.
“She’s taking a huge risk doing that.” Theo blew out a breath. “Try not to get mixed up in her drama, okay?”
I agreed since that wasn’t really an option. We barely spoke to each other. I hadn’t even told her about my assessment.
“Can we talk about something fun again? This was supposed to be a celebration,” Sai complained. “Back to party plans!”
“Sure, are you thinking Friday night or Saturday?” Hannah asked, and I, too, was grateful for the subject change. I’d had too much new information thrown at me this weekend. I wanted a break from the supe drama for a little while.