Chapter 30 #2
Then Levi snaps his fingers, and the pigeon is instantly gone. I blink, looking down to find only a single feather left behind, resting on my shoulder. I take it, holding it out in front of me, my eyes wide with disbelief.
“Holy shit.” I look at Levi, stunned into silence. He grins with a glint of mischief in his eyes. Pebble is still on his shoulder as if her friend didn’t disappear into thin air.
“That,” he says, giving me a playful wink. “Is why they call me the best.”
Something cracks open inside me, a small spark of wonder, a feeling I thought I’d lost.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For the show.”
“Anytime, Little Bird.” Levi nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Anytime.”
I tilt my head, curiosity filling my voice as I say, “You’re so different like this… a freaking illusionist.”
He smiles, a flicker of his old self returning. “Isn’t it weird,” he begins. “How so many versions of you exist in people’s minds? Some may know you as shy, some see you as annoying. Every person creates a version of you in their head. There are a thousand different versions of you.”
His words hang in the air, but my attention drifts past him to Koen, sitting with Sylus, deep in discussion with Ezra. He looks confident, composed, completely in control, as always.
I wonder how many versions of him exist. There are already two of him in my head. There’s the Koen who’s warm, protective—the one who makes me feel safe. And then there’s the Koen who’s cold, calculating, eyes always watching, reading my every move.
Both of them annoying, yet equally hot.
“Hey, can you do me a favor?” Levi’s voice pulls me back, quieter now, almost hesitant.
I blink, drawn out of my thoughts. “What?”
“Please don’t.”
“Please don’t what?”
Levi steps closer, his smile softening as he reaches out and taps my nose. “I can read it on the tip of your nose.”
“Oh yeah?” I let out a laugh, swatting at his hand as I reach up to tap his nose in return. “What can you read, Mr. Illusionist?”
“What you’re thinking.” His smile fades a little, and his gaze turns earnest, almost pleading. “And honestly, please don’t.”
I laugh again, though it comes out a bit forced, the lightness slipping. “What are you even talking about?”
“Koen.” He holds my gaze. “He’s not the guy for casual, okay? He’d fall in love, get attached so damn fast, and you’d break his heart, even if you didn’t mean to.”
His words hit harder than I expect, and I shift on my feet, glancing away. “I never said—” I start, defensive, but Levi doesn’t let me finish.
“Hey, listen.” He steps in closer again. “I get it, all right? I’m into casual too. I don’t think twice before I fuck someone. But it’s Koen we’re talking about. He’s kind, responsible, way too grown up, loyal… he’s not the same as us.”
I try to come up with something to say, but nothing comes. He’s watching me, his expression a mix of worry and something softer, something that twists in my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I swallow, my throat tight, words caught somewhere between my heart and lips.
“So please,” Levi repeats, his voice dropping, gentler now. “Don’t sleep with him if you’re not taking it seriously. Don’t hurt him.”
A beat passes, the silence heavy between us, filled with everything I haven’t said or don’t even know how to say. The truth slips out before I can catch it. “I don’t want to hurt him,” I murmur, frowning. “I didn’t think I even had the power to do that.”
“I know.” Levi’s gaze softens, and he nods, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “That’s why I’m asking.”
He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my arm as he steps back, giving me space.
His words hang in the air, and my gaze drifts over to Koen once more. His expression is relaxed, his posture easy as he talks to Ezra. Koen’s slightly unguarded right now, like he’s allowing himself to be a little vulnerable around them.
Ezra looks up to seemingly check on Levi, and I think about how his gaze always seems to linger on Levi, how Levi’s eyes soften whenever Ezra is near. There’s something between them, something they clearly think is well hidden.
Maybe even from each other.
“Not like us?” I say, turning back to Levi, my brow arched. “You sleeping around? Wouldn’t think you do. I’ve never heard anything.”
Levi grins, shrugging. “That’s because I’m good at keeping it quiet. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want a good man if I found one.” He gives me a sly look, his grin widening, something challenging in his eyes. “So maybe we’re different after all because Koen is a good man, and Sylus is too.”
“What about Ezra?” I ask, watching for his reaction.
Levi’s eyes narrow, the playful glint in them fading slightly. “What about him? You think he’s hot?” Jealousy radiates off him, making me huff a laugh.
“Well, yes, he is,” I admit, teasing and leaning closer. “But it’s pretty obvious he only has eyes for you.”
“Oh, shut up.” Levi huffs, though I notice the slight flush creeping up his cheeks. “That’s not true.”
My eyebrows shoot up. They really don’t know?
Oh my God.
“Levi, it’s clear as day. He’s as much into you as you’re into him.”
Levi looks at me, challenge burning in his eyes. “Who says I’m into him?”
I give him a pointed look, not even bothering to answer, simply raising an eyebrow.
“Fine, okay.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s a vulnerability there now, his bravado cracking.
“Yes. I’m in love with him. For an embarrassingly long time, actually.
” He takes a breath. “He was there for me after everything with Nicholas and… I don’t know.
I don’t have any luck with guys. When I told him eight years ago, he said the only way he could ever feel about me was like a little brother.
So whatever you think you’re seeing, it’s your imagination.
Or maybe it’s my wishful thinking. But it’s never going to happen. ”
Oh, Ezra, you fucking idiot.
I snort, shaking my head. “Men are trash,” I say, giving Levi the standard response I always give Annabelle whenever we talk about guys.
Levi’s laugh is soft and genuine. He’s visibly glad about the change of topic. “Right. Dudes be named Max but doing the bare minimum.”
I laugh, nudging him with my shoulder. “Exactly. Maximum disappointment.”
He shakes his head, a smile still lingering, but there’s also a hint of sadness there. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m right,” I reply softly. “You deserve someone who sees you for everything you are. And trust me, Ezra would be a fool if he doesn’t.”
Levi looks at me briefly, nodding, his gaze drifting to the man in question. “Maybe,” he says quietly. “Maybe one day.”
I hope he’s right for his sake and Ezra’s.