“Miss Adams, I’m concerned about your ability to pass Potions this term.” Professor Snooks looked down her long nose at Marion. Her gray hair had been arranged in neat curls and the jewels set in her cat eye glasses twinkled in the fluorescent light of her office.
Marion shifted uncomfortably in her seat, hands clasped in her lap. When she’d received the summons to meet in the Professor’s office, she’d known it wouldn’t be good news. “I’ve done everything I can. Tutors. Better ingredients.” She gave a helpless shrug. “I have no idea why the potions aren’t working.”
Professor Snooks rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Are you familiar with the equation showing the relationship between experience and magic?”
“There’s an equation? Like actual math?”
“Yes, there is math in magic. Basically the equation states that a witch’s magic is only as powerful as her experience. She can’t cast spells beyond her own direct knowledge.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“You’ve never been in love, have you, my dear?”
Marion blushed.
“Normally people your age have had a fling or two.”
“Well, I have dated some.” She closed her eyes as unwanted images rose from her memory. That hadn’t been love. That had been a nightmare.
“The unfortunate effect of having dated ‘some’ is that I can’t give you a passing grade. Not unless you can produce a proper love potion by the end of the term.”
“Isn’t there anything you can do, Professor?” If she didn’t pass Potions, she would never be safe.
“I’m afraid not, my dear. You’ll have to switch majors or put your education on hold.”
Marion slumped in her chair.
“Oh, don’t be so upset. There are worse things in the world.” Professor Snooks rummaged through her desk and pulled out a small gold charm in the shape of a clover. “Here’s a luck charm. Maybe you’ll find it helpful.”
“Thanks,” Marion said, despondent, and oddly enough, thinking of Aidan. She put the charm in her pocket.
At home, she flopped on the couch and gazed, unseeing, at the television. Witch TV had a Bewitched marathon running, but Marion couldn’t forget her own troubles long enough to care about Samantha’s.
Gradually, she slipped into a dreamless sleep, only to be jolted awake by the ringing of the phone. Stretching her arms overhead, she grabbed her cell phone off the back of the couch. “Hello?”
“Is Marion Adams there?” asked a clipped baritone voice.
“Speaking.”
“This is Detective Wallace from the Magic Crimes Unit. I don't know if you remember, but I worked on your case.”
Marion gripped the kitchen counter, her heart beat suddenly fast. Dark memories rushed her, threatening to sweep her feet out from under her. She sucked in a shaky breath and forced herself to speak. “Yes, I remember you, Detective. H-h-has something happened?”
She winced as her memory filled her mind with the sound of her bones snapping. Old pain echoed through her body, so sharp it felt like she still hadn't healed. Rubbing her wrist, she paced the kitchen as the reality of the phone call washed over her.
“Well, it’s lucky I found your number. You covered your tracks pretty well. I just wanted to let you know Eric’s out. The parole board met, and in light of his record of good behavior, they let him out early.”
“Oh.” Marion’s heart went still for a second before resuming a staccato rhythm of panic. She closed her eyes only to see Eric staring at her, his face devoid of emotion save for the darkness in his eyes. Even his smiles had looked forced. Early on, she'd attributed it to shyness. Now she knew better. He wasn't shy, he was angry, spurred on by a fury that demanded blood.
“Now, there’s no reason to be concerned, but I wanted to let you know just in case,” the Detective said. “If you see him, let us know, as it’s a violation of his parole. You still have my number, right?”
“Yes, I do. Do you think he can get past the wards here in Vegas?” That had been the whole reason she'd moved to the desert in the first place.
“I doubt it. This is just a courtesy call so try not to worry. But don’t hesitate to call me if you see him or if he contacts you.”
“I will.” She closed her eyes. Please let the wards flag him. Don't let him find me.
“Good. Take care Miss Adams.”
“You too, Detective.” Marion hung up with numb fingers. Trembling, she collapsed on the couch in the living room. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them. He was out. What if he came for her? He’d said as much when he’d called her while the jury was still deliberating his case.
She’d hoped to be well past her Magic Defense class before he got out. Hoped she’d have some means to protect herself. She hadn’t counted on the parole board buying into the charming veneer he applied over his baser personality.
Tears trickled down her cheeks and fear gnawed at her insides.
A key turned in the lock to the front door and Raven breezed into the apartment. “Marion, are you home? I stopped and got Chinese after class.” Plastic bags rustled in her hands and her backpack sat on her shoulder.
Marion wiped at her eyes and sniffed, trying to collect herself. She didn’t want her roommate to see her like this, but it was too late.
Raven took one look at her tear-streaked face and instantly dropped all her stuff. Rushing over to Marion, she asked, “Are you all right? What's wrong? Are you hurt?”
Marion shook her head. “No, I’m okay, but there’s something I have to tell you. Something bad.”
“This sounds serious.” Raven gave her a tight hug. “I’ll make some tea. Do we have tea? Or how about beer? I just bought some.” She pointed to a blue grocery bag next to her backpack. “It’s warm, but we could drink it if you want.”
Marion made a sound between a laugh and a sob. “Tea is good. There’s some in the cupboard next to the stove.”
A few minutes later, she sipped her tea without tasting it and tried to think of how to explain her past to Raven. She made several false starts before finally saying, “I dated a guy a couple years ago. It was a bad relationship.” She pulled back her sleeve and showed Raven the scars. “When I told him it was over, he beat me and broke my wrist in three places. He was trying to throttle me when the police showed up.” Her hand went to her neck as she remembered the way his fingers had crushed her throat. “I...almost died.”
Raven started to speak, but Marion held up a hand. She wanted to get it all out, before she started to cry again. “He went to jail, but promised he’d make me pay for testifying against him. Now he’s out of prison and I’m afraid he’ll find me.” She shuddered.
“Oh, Mar. I’m so sorry.”
“He’s a really powerful mage and there’s no way I can protect myself from him without passing Potions and qualifying for Magical Defense Studies. But I can’t pass Potions unless I make a love potion. I talked to Professor Snooks today and she said I had to fall in love or I would fail her class.”
“What are you going to do?”
Marion shrugged. “I don’t know. He’ll find me sooner or later. I don’t have the money to hire protection. I guess I’ll just have to date a bunch of guys and hope I find one I can love so I can take the Magical Defense class.”
”Well, I can help you there,” Raven said. “I have Aidan’s number and I happen to know he really likes you. And I think you like him, at least judging from how much you’re blushing right now.”
And that’s how it was that Marion found herself agreeing to meet Aidan for dinner. Even though the very idea of it made her hyperventilate.