Free Witch & Wizard 04 - The Kiss by James Patterson Page B

them all and stands in front of Heath, arms crossed over his chest.
    “You’re upset. I understand,” Heath says, his voice thick with amusement. “But I’m not the problem here. Wisty knows what she wants”—I see where this is going; I start to open my mouth to object, but he’s too fast—“and she didn’t choose you , friend.”
    Byron gives Heath a sudden hard shove. “I’m not your friend,” he spits.
    “Whoa,” I gasp. “Byron!”
    Heath takes a step back, still smiling, but from the tilt of his head, I’m guessing he’s not going to give Byron another shot. From what we all saw during the foolball game, Byron would have to have a death wish to attempt it.
    Of course, he tries to push forward again anyway.
    “I said, enough!” I yell, stepping between them. I throw a spark in warning, and the lights flicker. Everyone in the club is watching us now, eyes round. “Just leave us alone, okay?” I say, lowering my voice.
    “How could you be with him, Wisty?” Byron pleads, his voice cracking, and I feel totally awful. “After everything we’ve been through, making magic together.”
    That was nothing like this. “Byron,” I say gently, touching his arm. The heat is gone from my fingers now. “We were never… I—”
    “I mean, how can you even touch a New Order Youth like Heath?” He shrugs off my hand with disgust.
    I stare back at him, agape. Is he serious? Half the citizens in the City are former N.O…. including Byron .
    Heath cocks an eyebrow. “Think you better quit while you’re behind, friend .” His voice is smooth as silk, but there’s an undeniable edge to it now.
    Byron’s hair has fallen across his brow. His face is blotchy with fury and his mouth is pressed tight with suppressed insults, but he knows he’s beaten.
    Giving me a final, withering look, he slinks off.
    “What’d you do to Byron?” Whit says accusingly from behind me.
    I wheel around, anger flashing. This just gets better and better. Is everyone against me today?
    The onlookers start to whisper, which makes me more furious. Yes, let’s have the famous witch and wizard air out their dirty laundry at what was supposed to be the best dance party of the new era. I drag my brother over to a darkened corner for more privacy.
    “I didn’t do anything to Byron!” I say irritably. “And neither did Heath.”
    Whit’s brow furrows. “Weird. I’ve never seen him pick a fight before. Why would Byron do something like that, do you think?” He crosses his arms and eyes Heath, who’s stayed by my side.
    “Because he’s acting like some jealous child,” I say. “Obviously.”
    Whit sits down on a bar stool and studies me. “Or maybe because he’s really worried about the decisions you’re making, and how they’re going to affect your future?”
    I narrow my eyes. Whit’s talking to me like Bloom does, all patronizing rationale, and I don’t appreciate it.
    “Maybe you should ask Byron yourself.” Heath looks at Whit coolly.
    Ignoring him, Whit continues on his controlling big-brother tirade. “Wisty, do you really trust this guy?”
    This is totally about the foolball rivalry. Just because Whit lost a stupid game…
    “Because I don’t trust him,” Whit goes on, not even giving me time to answer. “And maybe if you just came out of your little bubble for a second and listened to the people who care about you—”
    “I can take care of myself!” I explode at him.
    “I hope so.” Whit nods, but manages to look extremely doubtful at the same time, and it’s all I can do to control my flame and fury. He walks toward the door. “I really hope so.”

Chapter 22
    Wisty
    WHIT LEAVES THE CLUB, slamming the door behind him, and it’s like the magic has been sucked out of this night with a vacuum.
    The music starts up again, and the party rages on, but the Resistance kids are looking at me curiously from across the room, and while I know what they’re thinking, I can’t help what Byron feels. I