“What do you want?” We both know what today is, and I’m in no mood for her shit this morning. My sister, ever the overachiever, even on summer break. And she’s done her full-on skin-care routine, judging by the way her tawny skin glows in the morning light. It’s barely eight o’clock, and already her dark curls are brushed back into a ponytail and she’s dressed in some cutoff jeans and a tank. “And to what do I owe the displeasure of this early-morning intrusion, my good sister?”Ĭris peers past me at Nate, who’s collecting his things-very slowly-and frowns when I slide into her line of vision.

I yank the door open and lean against the jamb, crossing my arms over my chest. I’m glad for the interruption, but not the person behind it. “Do you have any idea who you just quoted?”īefore he can answer, someone knocks hard on my door.

I flinch out of his reach and laugh as I throw on a shirt. “I don’t want to leave you, my king, but absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he recites as he clears the space between us, arms out for an embrace. Besides, my monsters tend to prowl in broad daylight. The magical quiet of night has always been my sanctuary.

I also pity people who’re afraid of the dark. Mama said the people who first owned our estate loved sunrises, so they built all the bedrooms facing east. Blazing sunlight bounds through the window, and he throws his arms back dramatically like it revitalizes him. He shrugs one shoulder and throws open the curtains. “Sorry, but no.” I get out of bed and pull on a pair of basketball shorts. He catches me watching his perfectly peach-shaped butt and grins. He slides out of bed and bends over to pick up his shorts. Kicking him out makes me feel like a royal ass, but today’s the day we find out if fate’s going to take its foot off our family’s neck or if I’m going to lose Mama, too. I forgot to tell you last night, and I felt bad waking you early, so, umm…” “I’m so sorry, Nate, but I have a really important appointment this morning, and I’m already super late. “Our talk last night sent my mind racing, you know? And then I had this dream-” He props up on one elbow, eyes bright like he’s been awake for hours. Maybe it’s best he turned out like all the others. “Morning.” I give him the smile he’s expecting. Now I wish I’d just drunk my lattes and minded my business. For weeks, I nearly went broke and developed a caffeine addiction, trying to get Nate’s attention at the Bean. Magic also can’t get rid of the strikingly beautiful boy lying next to me, who turned me all the way off late last night with his “hot take” that magic is a tool created by white people to enslave and distract Black folks. Everyone I love either dies or deserts me, and not even magic can do a gotdamned thing about it.

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker