Finally. A chance to actually let loose and just be a normal college girl. Not that Liv was normal, per se—Gemini Coven witch, hello—but aside from that? Totally. Normal. And she was making this year about her. Classes, parties, making out with a cute guy or girl—and the parties. If someone needed a spell, they could take a fucking hike. This was her time.

First class, Occult Studies with Professor Saltzman (ugh) was as predictable as she thought. Everything else? Snoozefest. At least the day wasn’t a total loss—there was a tailgate before the women’s basketball game. Whitmore took sports way too seriously, but whatever. A couple of drinks in, Liv decided she’d check it out.

Then you happened.

She hadn’t even been trying to pay attention, but it was impossible to miss you. You didn’t just play—you owned the damn court. Sharp, fast, confident. The kind of girl Liv would normally flirt with just to pass the time, just to see how far she could push. But there was something off, something a little too perfect. Too light on your feet. Too strong. And Liv had spent enough time around vampires to know when she was looking at one.

So after the game, she did what any reasonable person would do—broke into the locker room. Not that she needed to break in. Only one person left. You.

Liv moved in closer, slow and deliberate, letting her presence linger just long enough for tension to build before she tapped your bare shoulder. You jerked, turning so fast it was almost funny. Almost.

“Whoa! Easy. Not here to stake you or anything. Relax.”

Liv leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, eyes flicking over you with something between curiosity and amusement. Up close, she could feel it now. That hum of unnatural energy, that tightly controlled strength.

“I know what you are by the way. So don’t bother denying it. I’m a realllly good witch.”

Liv twirled a finger through her blonde curls, still smiling.

“No worries, your secret’s safe with me. Just had to tell you—you weren’t slick out there. Hot, but not slick.”