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“My protection spells keep evil spirits out.” My home is unknown to her, but I do it anyway. I’ve learned in the past that I should never give her my address. I could block my number, but I fear she would try harder to find my location. Luckily, my parents aren’t skilled with location spells.

“Archer could think of something,” she hums.

“Will I ever meet him? I swear you're making him up,” I laugh.

Lace has told me all about Rome's hot friend, but I've yet to meet him.

“I had make-believe friends when I was young, but I didn't make him up.” She shakes her head. “He’s just having a hard time. Rome said he found him.”

“I hope he’s okay.” I automatically trust anyone that my friends care about. Mara doesn't trust easily, so if she's his friend, he has to be a good guy.

“I think he will be.”

“Rome grew up with him, right?” I ask.

“Yeah, they're brothers. Rome’s mom took Archer in when he was young. I don’t know everything about his past. We're friends, yet he’s secretive. Rome doesn’t want to reveal anything that would betray his confidence. I get it,” she grumbles.

“But you don’t like it,” I smile.

“I just want to help him.”

“They have to want help. Maybe he doesn’t want to burden others.” Pride is a tricky thing. Opening up to anyone about what you feel is a weakness isn’t easy.

“He could never,” she says, frowning.

“You know that, but maybe he doesn’t.” I face forward, tipping my head back. “Sometimes, we allow our thoughts to consume us. Right or wrong, you have to wait for him to decide he feels safe enough to explain.”

“You must have experience,” she mumbles.

“Maybe.” Safety has been a goal of mine my entire life.

“You know we're always here for you,” she says.

“I do.” I smile at my sweet friend. “It took time to realize you wouldn’t walk away, too. It’s easy to leave. Not many want to stay and fight for a relationship.” I roll my ankles, staring at my sandals. “He hasn’t known you long, right?”

“No.”

“It takes longer to believe,” I say softly. “Just be there, steady, and determined. He’ll find his way.”

“How are you so wise?” she teases.

“I’ve lived it.” I don’t know what Archer has been through, but his behavior seems familiar. He hides his emotions and the dark side that looms around him. I can only assume from the stories I've heard from Lace.

“It’s sad,” she says.

“Life is sad. Not everyone is blessed with an easy journey. We have to hope to find the good.” I sigh, picturing my parents. “Sometimes, there isn’t good to be found.”

“Shit, Savy.”

I blink and shake my head. “I got a little dark,” I laugh. “I guess I still have my moments. It must be the pain bringing it out.”

“We all have dark moments,” she says softly. “Almost done.”

Perhaps I could have done a spell to numb my arm, but there's no guarantee how long it would last. So if I have to feel the pain anyway, why put it off? I believe that witches shouldn’t abuse their power. Magic could be used to do everything in your life, but doesn’t that take all the wonder out of what we can do? There's a balance in our world, and our gifts shouldn’t be deployed for simple tasks or bad things. We don’t have a governing body that polices our world and monitors the use of spells. I believe that our souls and aura will be tainted if we misuse magic.

“Finished,” Lace announces.

“Cool.” I roll my shoulders and hold my arms in front of me. “Gorgeous as usual.”