Hidden Magic

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I was feeling relieved in a way, it added a bit of a skip to my step as I was walking back from the gym towards Sira Branch, I had truly thought I was beginning to hate Kaiden, that he hated me, but that kiss made me realize that things may not be as I thought they were, it gave me hope in a way, even if I wasn't really sure I wanted it. To bring another person into this horrible mess that was my life, with the prophecy that foretold my death wasn't really a nice thing to do for someone or the best way to start a relationship, but I guess that was just my lot in life.

Rebecca gives me a smirk as I enter the Sira branch lounge, I was grateful at least that they kept the outright nudity to either semi-private corners or their own rooms during the week, otherwise Rebecca's cuddling with Derek would most definitely involve more than just the kisses he was leaving on her neck while she idly played with his hair, I had never heard anything about their being any sort of relationship between them other than friends, but they always seemed to drift together if they needed to get more magic, maybe there was something there, or they just like how much magic the other gave them.

My experiences with Seth had taught me that much at least, different people, as well as different sexual acts, resulted in varying levels of magic, meaning if Derek and Rebecca could fill each other with more magic by being together, even if they didn't necessarily like each other beyond basic physical magic, they would generally do it, because it took less effort for more magic, I did not judge them for this, their bodies, their own decisions, I was just not like that, and they didn't mind, Sira branch was generally filled with very open and accepting people, though I wasn't sure Alyssa quite fit that mold, or her sister Aspen, but I imagine it was hit or miss now that Sira's consorts had been choosing members for Sira branch for the past hundred years.

"You have a skip to your step, and your sweaty, did you finally get some, Kari?" Rebecca's voice was husky, and Derek didn't even stop his ministrations, even though he had to know I was there, of course when Rebecca's eyes dilated and she let out a soft breath moments later, I took great care not trying to watch where Derek's hand most definitely was, thankfully their positions hid it mostly from me, but it also meant that I wanted to end this conversation as soon as possible, before it got decidedly less friendly to my eyes.

"No, I did not get some, at least not the way you're meaning, I did kiss someone though." Rebecca's face loses the teasing glint as she works to focus on our conversation even as Derek continues to try to distract her.

"Oh, well, I'm sure one of your harem members appreciated the attention." My cheeks tint with a blush and she stares at me in confusion, while half confusion half lust, Derek seemed to be very determined to drag her attention back to him, almost making me wonder if their was feelings from him and maybe not her.

"It wasn't with any of them." Rebecca shoves at Derek lightly in an instant, and he grumbles but reluctantly backs off as she stares at me with interest, ignoring Derek's pouting form on the couch.

"Oh, a new potential harem member, how intriguing, who is he? What branch is he from?" All of my friends were way too interested in my love life, the fact that she had shoved Derek away from her only added onto that fact.

"His name is Kaiden, he's teaching me to fight, he's from Dagda branch." Derek leans over the couch to look back at me, his head bent upside down, he stares at me incredulously.

"Tree ripper Kaiden kissed you? Were you luring?" His words were accusatory, making me scowl at him, I didn't like the implication that I would purposely force my will like that on anyone, that just wasn't me, and though I hadn't had many interactions with Derek, I thought he would know me better than that.

"Of course, she wasn't! What are you doing accusing her like that! You know she isn't like that! Stop being a dick!" Rebecca smacks him repeatedly, obviously defending me as her friend, even though it wasn't quite needed in this situation, Derek's attitude was definitely something I could handle.