Burn

CHAPTER 15

"What?"

Margo was smiling. It was a soft, tentative sort of smile, the kind that inspired hope. "It's true."

Carter could scarcely hear her over the blood pumping through his ears. "But-"

"It's true, Carter." This time, Margo reached across the library table and grasped Carter's hand, rubbing soothing circles across his knuckles. After a moment, she withdrew to push the sleek black shape of 'Tenebrarum praesentibus adhiberetur: De Dcemone Encylopedia.' "I found it at the very end of chapter 39. It was practically a footnote."

"So...So what you're saying," Carter began, barely daring to hope, "is that I just need to-"

"-put salt in a pouch and get Anthony to wear it around his neck?" Margo was smirking wryly. "Yes. Good luck with that one."

"But...why?" It seemed, Carter mused, like such a random solution.

"Well," Margo began, flicking through the book's yellowed pages, "apparently it was once believed to ward off fae. People used to wear them to keep them safe from mischievous pranks. They also used to wear rowan berries. Maybe this is a similar thing?"

"Did you just compare me to a faerie?" Ryu interjected rudely, sharp brows rising in incredulity. "Do I look like a faerie to you?" He held out a long, clawed hand to emphasise.

"Oh, I don't know, Ryu," Carter teased, unable to resist. "You are rather pretty."

Ryu opened his mouth, outraged, then closed it again. After a moment, his brows furrowed, and he looked away, scowling into the distance.

"So," Margo cut in, a thoughtfully glaze in her eyes, "how are we gonna convince Anthony to wear it? You have to admit, he'll think it's pretty bizarre."

"Ugh, he totally will. Hell, I think it's pretty bizarre." Carter exhaled loudly and pushed a handful of hair from his eyes. "But I'll figure it out. I'm just super grateful for this information." He lurched forward suddenly to grasp Margo's hand, voice full of meaning. "Margo, thankyou. Really. This is wonderful news."

Ever since the bowling alley, Carter had been a bit more relaxed, at least around Anthony for the sake of their budding relationship, but he'd still existed in a state of hyper-awareness for the past two weeks. To know there was a solution, and it was this simple...

Judging from Margo's knowing look, she was aware of this, too.

"You're welcome, Carter," she said simply, giving his hand a squeeze. "I'm happy to be of help."

"Anthony."

His scruffy hair flopped haphazardly across his face as Anthony turned, a smile lighting his face as he spotted Carter lingering by his locker. "Well hello there."

He leaned in for a kiss, but Carter only allowed a quick peck before he pulled back, urgency thrumming through him. He'd found a small popery bag his Mum had once bought, and, after emptying it, he'd filled it with salt. Now it hung on a string in his pocket, and he squeezed it tightly as he braced himself.

"Anthony, I-"

"Carter, why'd you pull away?" Anthony interjected, bottom lip curling into a pout. He looped his arms loosely around Carter's waist, hands resting against his hipbones. "We have a few minutes before class."

He moved forward, but Carter ducked the kiss and gave him a gentle push, stepping back against the lockers. "I'm sorry," he sighed, wincing at Anthony's frown. "I'm just...I'm not in the mood right now."