What Sleeps in Shadows

Chapter Nineteen

Damian's magic was getting worse every day.

Midterms were weighing heavily on everyone, with the promise of spring break immediately after tests. And while Damian tried to act as though he was completely in control of his life, Raven was learning that sometimes his well-placed control slipped through his grasp. Things were happening around him that he barely noticed, or if he did notice them, he continued to ignore them out of some form of idiocy or self preservation (she couldn't pinpoint which). But Raven could feel these things for what they really were: small magical acts. A dish breaking. A door or window slamming just a little too hard. Incredibly unfortunate luck for a person standing in his vicinity. All little things that no one else seemed to notice, but they were magical just the same.

Raven didn't want to think about what would happen if they let these thing continue unchecked, and her fears were growing deeper and deeper roots every time something happened. Damian ignored her thoughts for the most part, but desperation was sinking deep into her bones. She often found herself wondering how much longer they could try to muddle through this without any help. She still hadn't responded to Blood, but his offer was still there at the back of her mind, reminding her that there was help if she needed it.

He had told her that her mother had trusted him, and while she knew better than to trust things at face-value, she didn't feel like Blood would like about something like this. Why would he? What purpose would it serve in the end if he lied? So then, if Raven's mother had trust him, wasn't that a good enough reason for Raven to trust him too? She didn't know the answer to that question, but her resolve was becoming weaker every time something happened to Damian. They wouldn't be able to keep this completely contained for much longer, and what would happen when something went completely wrong? When Damian or her made a mistake they couldn't recover from? Raven wasn't sure, but she knew she didn't want to find out.

"This is exhausting."

Raven looked over at Gar as he put the finishing touches on his Spanish essay, before picking up the reading assignment for World Literature class - due in three days. His head hung and he leaned back into his chair, staring at her.

"We're all stuck inside here for the next million years writing reports and studying, and look at the outside! The snow melted!" He whipped his head around to the window and stared longingly at the almost-green grass that was trying to grow along the walkway. Gar whined and wiggled in his chair like a sir-crazy child. "I can't sit around here and just drown in homework, I need something to do."

"You could try shutting up?" Damian lifted his head from his own report and glared. For once he wasn't holed up in his room working, and had decided to join his classmates in a study session. "Or you could go find something to do somewhere else. Your grades aren't my concern, so if you want to throw a party in the woods and drink until you pass out... go for it." Damian turned back to his notes. "But just keep it down while I'm working."

"Actually... that... that's a good idea." Gar snapped his fingers and turned to look at Miguel next to him, his eyes wide and pleading. "A party this weekend. Before we go on spring break. Let's have a bonfire, like the one in October."

Miguel shrugged, nonchalant. "I don't know if the wood will be dry enough after all the snow melted, but we can at least try. Or I can talk to the kid by the lake. I think his parents are on some month-long safari, and he's always down for something when they're out of town."

"Perfect!" Gar slammed his book down and grinned across the table at Damian. "Then it's settled. We're throwing a party at Damian's suggestion. And if that's the case, then you're just going to have to come. Pull those panties of yours out of a knot and maybe act like a real teenager for once in your life. Instead of the perfect little Wayne boy."