Read Tethered 02 - Conjure for Free Online Page B

from my lips they made it sound as though I would be attending, when in fact I hadn’t yet decided what I was going to do.
    Admer’s eyes lit up at my questions, and the excitement reflected in their deep green did not go unnoticed by me. “Preferably something of your element color—which for you would be red.”
    “Okay,” I managed and then shifted in my seat, straightening my back while trying to appear as though it were just a normal question and didn’t hold any significance toward my decision.
    “Everything else will be taken care of by the original initiates,” Admer said, his eyes moving between the four of us newbies. “Well, in the case Addison should decide to agree to becoming initiated, that is.”
    The tone in which Admer had said the words implied a dare, and I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room touch me at some point while I stared at my coffee table, knowing now was not the time to speak or make eye contact with any of them. Raw hope filled the air and I didn’t want to crush it just yet, but I didn’t want to add to it either.
     

 

    I held my front door open while everyone’s parents, as well as Admer, left for the night. A dull ache pulsated behind my eyes as I said my goodbyes and thank yous to each of them for coming to speak with me. The desire to be alone for the night throbbed in sync with my forming headache.
    “Take tomorrow and the rest of the weekend off,” Admer said. He wore a sly smile as though he were doing me a serious favor and needed me to know this. “You have a lot to process from tonight and a large decision to make over the next few weeks.”
    “Thank you,” I said as he exited through the front door, uncertain as to what I should say to a comment like that.
    After closing the door, I leaned against it for a moment, allowing myself a moment to catch my breath. The sounds of Callie squealing and giggling from my living room cut that moment short, forcing me to become conscious of the others still in my house. Kace came from the kitchen, holding a glass of water in his hand. He took a sip and eyed me.
    “What did Admer say to you just now?” he asked, his voice sounding clipped and tense.
    I pushed myself off the door and took a few steps toward the kitchen—a glass of water sounded nice.
    “Nothing really. He told me I could take tomorrow and the rest of the weekend off. Why?”
    “I just don’t trust him, that’s all,” he said, following me into the kitchen.
    I glanced at Kace from over my shoulder. His icy eyes were deadly cool; he was serious.
    “Why not?” I asked.
    “I was watching everyone tonight, trying to figure out if one of them could be the one who paid for the Hotfoot spell and the red creature. Admer was the only one I got those types of vibes from. I think it was him,” he insisted, his features becoming rigid and sharp.
    “Are you serious? Admer?” I scoffed. I reached into the cabinet by the sink for a glass and then began to fill it with cold tap water. “Why him? I mean, don’t get me wrong, there is something oddly off about him, I’ll give you that, but I don’t think he’s the type to put spells on people and sic creatures after them. Why would he? I work for the guy! Besides, didn’t we say it could be the Van Rooyens trying to get me to leave, too?”
    I hated even mentioning Theo or his family, but Kace needed to remember them and their motives before he went around blaming my new boss. They seemed more likely in my book anyway.
    “I don’t know what his motive might be,” Kace said, ignoring my last few words as an odd warmth ignited his eyes. It was as though there was an internal war raging inside of him. “But I know he’s definitely not who you think he is. He’s got a secret.”
    I took a sip of my water before speaking. Kace had no idea how many times I’d thought the same about Admer in the short time I’d known him. “I think so too, but doesn’t everyone? I just don’t see how having me gone