Free Winter Fire (Witchling Series) by Lizzy Ford Page B

Light.
    “Besides, you’re not about to ruin my date night,” Decker added.
    “Yeah.” Beck’s thoughts were elsewhere, mainly on how he was going to let Morgan down easy.
    “I’ll text you later.” Decker moved away, attention on his Summer.
    Beck watched the crowd part for his twin, whose Dark power was felt even by normal humans. Beck’s magick drew people to him while Decker’s repelled them.
    He rested his hands against the cold railing in front of him then leaned over it to see the lights rippling in the water. The sound of the river bumping against the dock, combined with the mesmerizing dance of the lights reflected in the water, soothed him some. He roused himself after a few minutes, the night chill sinking into him. His thoughts went first to Morgan to warm him and then to the bonfire. He knew which one he wanted; he also knew which one he’d end up going to.
    Beck debated on what to do about Morgan. The timing for a girlfriend - let alone finding his counterbalance – was awful. Morgan was sweet and sensitive. She deserved better than to be drawn into his drama, especially if she had already been hurt by someone. He didn’t trust himself getting serious with any girl. Maybe after the baby was born or he had dealt with his issues, he’d consider asking Morgan out again.
    If he could keep away and didn’t end up inviting her on any more dates.
    “What is wrong with me?” he muttered, irritated that his judgment failed him again this night. He straightened suddenly. “Speaking of crappy decisions …”
    Beck sensed Dawn. He took in his surroundings with a sharp gaze, seeking out the Dark girl. It was also to give him time to avoid her, if possible. There were mutual restraining orders that mandated they have no contact, though she was able to break court orders at will while he got slammed the one time he sought her out. His father warned him to stay on the high road. Beck resigned himself to being the better person, because his unborn daughter was at risk. Dawn was using the baby as a tool to manipulate everyone, and there was nothing she wouldn’t risk to keep the advantage on her side.
    The idea she might hurt her own baby out of revenge had crossed Beck’s mind more than once over the past few weeks. It made him sick – and overly cautious about giving Dawn a reason to do anything of the sort.
    She was easy to spot. Tall, lithe, beautiful. Dawn was blonde with the bone structure and body of a natural born model. She drew attention wherever she went. He fell for her the first time they met at the witchling boarding school three years before, not even caring that she dated his twin first. Or cheated on both of them more than once. Their on-again, off-again relationship wasn’t healthy, he knew now. He had done his own part to make it dysfunctional by dating and sleeping around during their constant, periodic breakups.
    Any affection for her died with Tanya. The only emotions he felt towards her now were anger and regret.
    Beck glanced around to see where Morgan was, not about to drag the girl into this mess. She was far down the boardwalk, walking with Summer and Decker. Satisfied she wasn’t in danger, he pushed away from the railing and crossed his arms, waiting for Dawn to find him.
    There was no other reason she just happened to be there at the same time he was. He knew very well that she had someone at the Light campus feeding her information about what he did. He’d told a few guys at dinner he was coming here tonight, though he left out with whom.
    Her movements traced by Darkness, Dawn spotted him and moved through the crowd to reach him. Her stomach was showing the signs of being in her second trimester, though she still wore the tight, designer clothing she was known for. Her hair was up in a bun, her chiseled features done up in makeup.
    “You didn’t answer my text,” she started out, stopping in front of him.
    “We have court orders requiring us not to contact one