What the Hex (Hex #2)(3)
Author: Jessica Clare

 

That stings. Ouch. “I just turned thirty. There’s plenty of time for me yet.”

 

“Yes, but there’s always someone younger,” Derek says in a lofty voice. “You’re like me. The society is gonna be your life.” He nods sagely and then taps my arm. “Play your cards right and you can be where I am someday.”

 

I smile politely and grab the tray of drinks from the bartender the moment he sets them on the bar, practically flinging down my tip. Somehow, I manage to keep smiling as I make my way over to the table again, even though Derek’s words are ringing in my ears like a death knell.

 

The society is gonna be your life.

 

Do I even want that? I’m here because I want to learn witchcraft. I’m here because I want to serve as a familiar. I want to grow in my own power and live hundreds and hundreds of years, and I can do that only if a witch or warlock takes me under their wing and teaches me. But the problem is that because most witches are so long lived, they don’t like swapping out apprentices. They don’t like change. So anyone that apprentices can expect to be serving for a few decades at least before being taught to go out on their own.

 

There’s just not a lot of turnover in the familiar job market. They’re positions that people wait years and years to get, and even if the witch—or warlock—is an absolute nightmare, you don’t give up your coveted spot. In return for your service as a familiar, you get to learn spellcraft. You get to become one of the elite. It’s what I’ve wanted all my life. Both my parents serve witches, and I’ve always wanted to follow in their footsteps.

 

It’s just . . . I’m so tired of waiting.

 

The society is gonna be your life. Gods, I don’t like that thought. Not one bit.

 

Lost in thought, I swig my drink and fish the cherries out of the bottom of my glass. Maybe I need to call it a night. Derek’s words shouldn’t bother me so much, and I work in the morning. With that thought in mind, I grab my purse and say my goodbyes to the group, promising to hang out longer next week. As I get up, Cody follows me. “Hey, wait,” he calls, bounding over to my side. “Are you catching the bus?”

 

I shake my head, giving my phone a little shake. “I’m going to call an Uber.”

 

“I’ll wait with you.” He grins down at me, and the interest is clear in his eyes. Oh. Huh. For a moment, I contemplate what it’d be like to go home with Cody. We’ve flirted at past meetings, of course. I think everyone close to the same age has flirted, and a few people hook up from time to time. He’s cute, though. He’s got bright blue eyes and a bit of beard scruff, but it looks good on him. He’s short, which I don’t mind, since I’m short, too, and he dresses like a crunchy hipster. He’s even got the sweetest little man bun at the back of his head, which I kinda dig. He moves out near the street with me but keeps his hands in his pockets, making no effort to call his own ride. “Wanna hear some gossip?”

 

“Oh em gee, do I ever,” I squeal. I love gossip. Maybe I shouldn’t, but what’s the harm?

 

Cody leans in, and I can smell cinnamon schnapps on his breath. “I heard that Caliban Magnus stole his aunt’s familiar, and to make matters worse, that familiar isn’t even in the society.”

 

I hide my disappointment. That’s old gossip, and it’s not even correct gossip. “I’ve met Reggie several times,” I tell him. “She’s a lovely person, and Dru recruited her directly. Reg didn’t know anything about the society, so I can’t really blame her for skipping out on membership. As for Mr. Magnus stealing her, he didn’t. They’re dating.”

 

He gives me an incredulous look. “You know them?” Then his expression twists a little, and I can’t tell if he’s amused or sour. “Wait, of course you do. You know everyone through your job.”

 

“Not everyone,” I say uncomfortably. He’s making it sound like I have an edge over everyone else somehow, and that’s not the case. If anything, my working at CBD Whee! actually hurts my chances of becoming a familiar, because I’m good at my job and my boss finds me irreplaceable. If anyone asks Vivi about my apprenticing availability before they ask me . . . well, I suspect I know what her answer would be. And while I love that I’m so good at my job, I never wanted to be so good it would hinder me from realizing my dreams.

 

Boy, this night sure is turning depressing.

 

“They’re nice,” I promise Cody again. “I don’t feel like Reggie’s taking someone else’s spot. Ben Magnus never has apprentices. It’s not like he would have grabbed someone from the society. He never does.”

 

“If you say so.” He reaches out and brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear, giving me a smile. “I think you’re nice, Penny.”

 

Oh, that’s definitely flirting! I’m not the most self-aware girl, but even I know he’s into me tonight. I have to admit, I do look cute. I always try to dress up for our society meetings, just because I want others to find them as big a deal as I do. Cody leans in toward me, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to kiss me. Do I want to kiss him back? Do I want to invite him back to my place for a no-strings-attached make-out session? It’s been a long time since I’ve hooked up with a guy, and I probably have spiderwebs on all my girl bits from disuse.

 

For some stupid reason, I hear Derek’s voice in my head again. The society is gonna be your life.

 

That kills my ladyboner fast. I slide away from Cody, giving him an apologetic look. “My ride will be here soon.”

 

“I can ride with you,” Cody says, not taking no for an answer.

 

I bite my lip. “Maybe next week? I need to type up these notes, and I have to feed my squirrel.”

 

“Is that innuendo for something?”

 

Knitting my brows together, I shake my head. “No. I mean, I literally have to feed my squirrel. His name is Pipstachio, and he’ll get cranky if he doesn’t get his dinner before bed. He’s kind of a tyrant with the sweetest bushy tail. I swear I’m not making this up.”

 

Cody chuckles, pulling me close for a one-armed hug that squishes my face against his chest and probably gets makeup all over his shirt. “I like you, Penny. Maybe next week, then?”

 

“Maybe next week,” I agree, hugging him back. Maybe I need some mindless kissing with a guy rocking a man bun to take my mind off just how stagnant things in my life are. Cody’s a guy that’s clearly a good time, not a long time, and as long as I go in with that in mind, I can’t get hurt.

 

Maybe I need a fling to liven up my life a bit.