• I blinked, trying to focus on reality.

    He seemed to be doing the same.

    "I- I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't see you there."

    "No," I said. "It was my fault."

    "Hey, umm... your name's Heather, right?" he asked suddenly.

    "Uh...." It took me a moment to remember. His voice was music. "No.. umm.. my name's Haven. Haven Aura."

    "Oh. That's a wonderful name," he whispered, seemeing a little distracted. Then he shook his head to focus. "My name's Devon Tucker." He smiled sweetly. "I think these are your's...." He extended his hand with the rest of my books.

    "Thanks," I said, reaching quickly for them.

    A sudden jolt went through me, but I couldn't seem to pull away. Neither did he. Mine and Devon's eyes met again, and I felt as if we were staring into each others souls.

    It terrified me.

    I pulled away and turned to leave, but he reached out and caught my shoulder. The electric feeling went through me again, and I could tell it hit him as well. It took us both a moment to get our bearings. Finally I turned to him.

    "Yes?" I said hesitantly.

    "Umm..." he muttered, apparently trying to remember what he was going to say. "Oh yeah!" he announced proudly as he found his train of thought, "I wanted to ask if you would like to hang out sometime?"

    That, I was not expecting.

    I was frozen for an instant, but decided that since I was already a foster child, a witch, an outcast, and was the only thing preventing those zealous hunters from attacking every "ungodly" creature because of my temporarily unstable powers, I might as well add the drama of having a crush. Sure why not?

    Then I said something neither of us were expecting....

    "How's tonight?"

    He smiled after a moment and nodded. "How about now?"

    I smiled and nodded reaching for his hand. He took it in his strong grasp. But the thing that surprised me most was that he didn't hesitate, even when the shock went through us.

    Curse the Fates.

    I was doomed.