Free Chosen by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

kinda know him.”
    Erik grunted.
    My mind felt like a bunch of gerbils were zooming around in big wheels inside it, but I made my voice sound light and kidding. “Erik, are you jealous of Loren?”
    â€œNo.” Erik looked at me, looked away, and then met my eyes again. “Yes. Okay, maybe.”
    â€œDon’t be. There’s no reason for you to be jealous. There’s nothing going on between me and him. Promise.” I bumped my shoulder into his. And at that moment I meant it. It was stressful enough trying to figure out what I was going to do with Imprinted Heath. The last thing I needed was a secret affair with someone who was even more off limits than a human ex-boyfriend. (Sadly, it seemed like the last thing I need is usually the first thing I get.)
    â€œHe just doesn’t feel right to me,” Erik said.
    We’d stopped in front of the girls’ dorm and, still holding his hand, I turned to him and fluttered my lashes innocently. “So you felt up Loren, too?”
    He scowled. “Not even vaguely a possibility.” He pulled me to him and put his arm around me. “Sorry about getting all nuts about Blake. I know there’s nothing going on with you two. I guess I was being jealous and stupid.”
    â€œYou’re not stupid, and I don’t mind you being jealous. Or at least a little bit.”
    â€œYou know I’m crazy about you, Z,” he said as he bent and nuzzled my ear. “I wish it wasn’t so late.”
    I shivered. “Me, too.” But I could see the sky starting to get light over his shoulder. Plus, I was exhausted. Between my birthday, my mom and step-loser, and my undead best friend, I really needed some alone time to think and a good solid night’s (or in our case, day’s) sleep. But that didn’t stop me from snuggling into Erik.
    He kissed me on the top of my head and held me close. “Hey, have you figured out who’s going to represent earth during the Full Moon Ritual?”
    â€œNo, not yet,” I said. Crap. The Full Moon Ritual was in two nights and I’d been avoiding thinking about it. Replacing Stevie Rae would be gruesome enough if she was dead dead. Knowing that she’s undead dead and hanging around the stinky alleys and nasty tunnels downtown made replacing her just plain depressing. Not to mention wrong.
    â€œYou know I’ll do it. All you have to do is ask.”
    I tilted my head up to look at him. He was on the Prefect Council, along with the Twins, Damien, and, of course, me. I was Senior Prefect even though I’m technically a freshman and not a senior. Stevie Rae had been part of the council, too. And, no, I hadn’t decided who should replace her. Actually, I had to Tap or choose two students for the council and I hadn’t thought about that, either. God, I was stressed out. I drew a deep breath. “Would you please represent earth in the circle for our Full Moon Ritual?”
    â€œNo problem, Z. But don’t you think it might be a good idea if we had a practice circle casting before then? With all the rest of you having an affinity for an element, or in your case all five elements, we better make sure everything goes smoothly when a nongifted guy stands in.”
    â€œYou’re not exactly nongifted.”
    â€œWell, I wasn’t talking about my vast make-out skills.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Neither was I.”
    He pulled me closer so that my body was molded against him. “Guess I need to show you more of my talent.”
    I giggled and he kissed me. I could still taste a hint of blood on his lip, which made the kiss even sweeter.
    â€œGuess you two made up,” Erin said.
    â€œLooks more like a make-out than a makeup, Twin,” Shaunee said.
    This time Erik and I didn’t spring apart. We just sighed.
    â€œThere’s no such thing as privacy at this school,” Erik muttered.
    â€œHello! You’re sucking face out here