Evil in the Badlands (Academy of Necessary Magic Book 5) by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle

Author:Martha Carr & Michael Anderle [Carr, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2021-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The kitchen pixies extended the same invitation to Summer that they’d given Amanda first semester freshman year—to come back anytime she wanted, any time of night.

“Don’t feel like you have to bring the other one,” Carlos shouted through the open door as the girls headed outside into the night.

“Hey.” Amanda spun with a laugh.

Fred grabbed the edge of the open door and scowled at the other pixie. “Listen, you winged barbarian. She has a name.”

Carlos’ fork whizzed through the air over Fred’s head and clattered against the far wall.

“Now really, Carlos,” Gloria chided. “If you wanted to start a food fight, you should’ve done that when we still had food.”

“We always have food. Is that a challenge?”

With a snort, Fred returned his attention to the junior girls stepping carefully away from the kitchen. “You two have a nice night, you hear me? Door’s always open. Well, figuratively.”

“Bye, Amanda,” Gloria called.

“Yeah, don’t bring any more friends after this,” Carlos added. “I know I’ll be disappointed.”

Summer laughed and turned away on her own to head across the edge of the training field. “Whatever, glitterboy.”

Carlos and Gloria cracked up inside again. Fred smirked at Amanda and leaned down toward her, his shadow spreading far across the sliver of light spilling across the grass. “I’m guessing there’s a reason you brought her here tonight, huh?”

Amanda glanced over her shoulder at Summer strolling away with her hands shoved into the pockets of her black hoodie. “Do I need more of a reason than good company and even better cheesecake?”

“Ha! Well, whatever you’re up to, girl, don’t stop. I meant it. Bring her anytime you want.”

“Thanks, Fred. Have a good night.”

“Stay out of trouble, Amanda,” Carlos shouted before breaking into a high-pitched giggle. “Oh, wait! Never mind. I forgot who I was talking to.”

“You hush,” Gloria whispered.

Fred nodded one more time and slowly pulled the door all the way shut. Then Amanda hurried after Summer and caught up to her friend in the cool, humid night air to walk across the dew-covered grass.

“So.”

“So.” Summer smirked and shot her a sidelong glance. “Those are your midnight friends, huh?”

“I guess. You can’t say they aren’t a little awesome.”

“Pixies.” The witch shook her head. “Who knew they grew ’em as huge as mountains, huh?”

“With beards.” Both girls laughed as they wandered in the swamp’s general direction, away from the fields, the buildings, and the main part of campus.

Somewhere in the trees overhanging the water, an owl hooted. Something else splashed into the water. Amanda drew a deep breath of the cool air through her nose and sighed. “I love it here at night.”

“Because of the pixies and free snacks? Yeah, I bet.”

“No, I mean the Everglades. In the summer.”

“It’s not summer anymore, shifter girl. We’re stuck here for the next four months because, school.” Summer kicked a clod of dirt and waterlogged grass away from the edge of the river, and both girls watched it scatter and spray into the water like huge raindrops. Giant ripples moved away from them, and a small lizard scuttled off the bank before slipping into the swamp.

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