Hopeless Magic by Rachel Higginson Read Free Book Online Page A

Amory placed his hand on the back of Sebastian Cartier who grinned widely in reply.
    He was taller than Kiran, although they bore a striking resemblance in facial features. Sebastian’s hair however was dark brown and kept very short, his eyes were a deep hazel that sparkled when he smiled and his shoulders were just a tad bit wider than Kiran's. Other than that, they had the same distinguished nose and masculine lips.
    In my opinion he was nothing compared to Kiran, but altogether I was sure other girls found him attractive.
    “Sebastian is from Marseilles, his mother, of course, is Princess Bianca. Please welcome him 76/711
    to Kingsley,” Amory squeezed his shoulder gently before leaving the classroom.
    “Great, more royalty,” I heard Avalon mumble underneath his breath and I couldn't help but laugh.
    Mr. Lambert directed Sebastian to a seat in the back near Kiran who continued to joke and laugh with his cousin. For some unexplainable reason I found the idea of Kiran’s family at school unsettling. The only other family member I’d even heard of was his father, whom I needed to avoid at all costs. So the fact that his cousin was attending the same school as me felt strange.
    Kiran, as always, ignored me completely during the remainder of the morning. Our policy was usually to have absolutely nothing to do with each other during school. Kiran had to continue his role as most popular kid in school engaged to the prettiest girl in school act and I had to per-petuate my social outcast act.
    Truthfully I enjoyed the whole outcast thing; it was the ignoring Kiran I had a problem with.

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    While I sat alone with Avalon in most social circumstances I was forced to watch Seraphina’s ever inappropriate touching. As far as she was concerned she owned Kiran and treated him accordingly.
    Today at lunch was especially irritating. Seraphina could not keep her hands to herself and while she enjoyed my boyfriend and her salad, I had lost my appetite completely. Avalon, noticing my nausea, had helped himself to my chicken-salad sandwich and chips. I held my Dr. Pepper protectively, unwilling to give that up.
    “What do you make of another Kendrick joining the student body?” Avalon asked softly, before helping himself to a dill pickle off of my tray.
    “I don’t know. It all seems strange to me. I suppose Amory will know more of the details, but I don’t understand why he is joining us now. And who is he really?” I struggled to keep my voice soft while my irritation flared to a new level. Seraphina had draped both arms around Kiran’s 78/711
    neck and was whispering, God-knows-what into his ear.
    “Yeah, me too. I don’t like it, not at all. Amory probably didn’t have any warning himself, which makes me nervous. Kiran’s already here, why would they keep his cousin coming over a secret?
    Unless, he is their own version of surveillance, you know what I mean?” Avalon looked around conspiratorially, but was unable to locate Sebastian Cartier. I myself had been wondering where he was during lunch, and why he wasn't de-votedly near his cousin's side, like the rest of our class.
    “What do you mean surveillance?” I asked, suddenly nervous.
    “Well, sure he heard everyone’s side of the story, but Lucan himself has not tried to look into exactly who you are. That fact has always made me nervous. You completely disrespected his court and his honor, and on top of that, you’re a spitting image of the girl who scorned him. Is he really just going to listen to a bunch of 79/711
    testimonies and then write you off? What if he is trying to be more discreet about finding out your true identity, more discreet than we give him credit for? Maybe he is afraid if he makes too much noise, then you’ll disappear and he’ll lose her again.”
    “Our mother?” I whispered, horrified.
    Avalon nodded, and looked like he was about to say something else before he was shockingly interrupted.
    “May I sit here?” Avalon and I