12. A needle in a Faystack #3
“I’ll need room to walk,” I say, accidentally pressing my hand against his abs on instinct.
In haste, I remove it just as fast. Beneath his black workout shirt where my palm happened to graze is a well-defined six pack.
And damn did I think about rubbing it. For fucks sake, can my body stop acting like a horny schoolgirl.
I rush past him, burying my intrusive thoughts, not missing that sparkling glare as our bodies share a brief touch.
If mall walking was a legit sport, I would win gold at this rate.
Once inside her office, shutting the door crosses my mind, but soon after, Alex breaches the entrance, sealing our fate.
His shirt is blue. Wasn’t it black a minute ago? The muscles in his arms and back flex from pushing the doors closed. He sighs, rotating and facing me fully. His midnight hair is tinted a dark gray beneath Rebecca’s office light.
“Under any other circumstance, you’d be punished for your actions,” he chastises, stepping closer to my position, centered in the room.
Punished? “What were you thinking, getting into a fight with two fays?” It’s hard enough keeping this fearless persona, let alone not thinking of what he means by being punished, so my stare lands upon the floor.
“I asked you a question. In return, I need an answer with words, Kyra.”
“Don’t talk to me as if I’m a child.” My words are louder than they need to be in this space, and whatever emotions thrive beneath my anger, sink instantly.
“This will be the one and only time I correct you. I’ll never raise my voice at you, in return, I demand the same.
Is that understood?” After another eye roll, I accept his terms. “Again, what were you thinking, taking on two fays alone, and without magic?” Alex’s arms fold, making the fabric tighten against his muscles .
“It–” His brow raises, and I readjust my tone.
“It’s not like I came looking for a fight.
Rebecca sent a note summoning me here.” Flexing, I shake the warmth from my hands.
“Coincidently while waiting, I overheard the two of them colluding in the hallway, so I confronted them.” I try not to fidget. He makes me nervous, or antsy, or–
“About what?” Noticing his shadow’s approach, my head lifts.
“Huh?” I mumble.
“You stated they were colluding. About what?”
“It’s not important anymore.”
“Interesting. Yet that still doesn’t explain fighting without magic. You could have been…killed,” he reminds me, as if he cares.
“Would that have been a bad thing?” I step into his space with balled fists.
“Since my arrival, all I’ve met are fays wanting me dead.
Minus one or two.” I combat the pressure building around my eyes as I think of those aching for my demise.
“So don’t pretend like you care if I live or die when you don’t even know me.
” And once more, Alex raises his brow. “Sorry for yelling.”
He watches me, peering into my soul like he is searching for an answer.
“Am I factored in that one or two?”
“What?”
“You said, one or two don’t want you to die; am I factored into that equation?”
“No. Why would you be? I can count on one hand how many times we’ve spoken, and I only need one finger. Two if we’re adding this encounter.” Holding up two fingers and driving that little fact home, I’m thankful my tears no longer threaten to expose how affected I am about this.
“I’m aware of how many times we’ve conversed, Kyra, but I didn’t ask you that. A simple no would have sufficed.”
“Well, no.” I roll my eyes. Don’t check me as if I need to be.
“I suggest you increase your numbers to three. If I want you dead,” he leans down, nearly placing his head upon mine and conveying a devious smirk, “nothing or no one would stop me from making it so.”
Well shit. Ice freezes my blood, ceasing its flow, and deep within the pit of my stomach, an ember births into a roaring flame. I trail his beautiful features, noticing his cut cheek bones and tightened jaw. Consider me checked.
Clearing his throat and standing erect, he continues, “Besides, there wouldn’t be a need for this conversation, let alone me looking into what happened during your Awakening, if I wanted you dead.”
“What? Why are you doing that?” My pitch softens with regret from being an asshole.
“It’s not a mere coincidence each flame was snuffed. There is some underlying meaning behind it.”
Now that he mentions it, something about that night didn’t sit well with me, and if he is being honest, then maybe, just maybe, he could be my ticket to staying.
“Are you saying there’s a chance I might have magic?” Borderline afraid of his answer, I go on, “Before you respond, please don’t bullshit me. Sorry for cursing.” I figure he too might have an issue with it.
“Truthfully, a part of me believes you do. Though what your magical order is, I’m not sure.
” He turns away, staring blankly into space like he is recalling a past time, and I try containing the little spark of hope expanding within me.
“Furthermore…” He regains focus, and that velvet tone returns in full effect.
“You never need to apologize to me. Only when I demand one.”
My thighs clench, and that spark of hope evolves into something more. His confidence intertwined with reassuring me to be unapologetic has warmth growing in the lowest parts of my core. Never has anyone demanded me to be…me. What is he doing to my body, shit.
Alex reaches his hand out, and I notice, a pair of black leather gloves encasing his hands like a second skin.
I frown, forcing an annoyed sigh from him as he peers down with confusion at my reaction.
We have been standing awfully close, and despite a crick starting to form in my neck, I can’t find myself looking away.
How can someone be short on words but speak clearly through expressions?
“Your phone, please. It’ll be a great idea if we exchange numbers. Easier to update…” Before he finishes the thought, I retrieve my phone, understanding his intent. “…each other on our findings,” Alex finishes while typing his number and pressing call.
A gleeful smile lifts my cheeks. He isn’t as smooth as Raine in obtaining my number, but simply laying it out there that he has my back means a great deal more. And from what I’ve seen, he is a valuable ally to have. Fascinating…Imposing…Noteworthy…Enticing.
“Kyra,” he smirks, returning my composure, “your phone.”
“Right.” Kicking myself internally, I create space between us.
“I’m aware you and Angie are working together.
Between us three, answers shouldn’t be far off.
” That traitor. Alex chuckles. It’s faint, but I catch how immaculate his smile is.
Perfectly white teeth. Of course they are.
Everything about him is perfect. “No need worrying about that secret between the two of you. Now it’s three. ”
“Yeah, if Holland finds out, he’s going to–”
“He’s aware that laying a finger on you results in me removing his head.
Please, pay him no mind,” he scoffs. Why are the men attending this Academy hell bent on killing?
Is it normal? Regardless, I nod and suppress the visuals.
“Don’t move,” he adds whilst approaching and studying my cheek.
Stern eyes trace every inch, holding me captive.
The space between us dissolves, and he reaches for my chin.
It takes a great deal to refrain from flinching, though my chest tightens, and my pulse increases well above normal. Finally I’m in a headspace where I no longer spiral from the reach of a male’s hand.
My adolescent years weren’t kind. Day in and day out I was touched against my will, leaving more of an internal scar than I care to face, but Rosie helped guide me through those murky waters.
She showed me not every male intends on causing me harm.
But with her gone, the glue holding me together no longer exists.
“I understand and sincerely apologize,” Alex assures me.
From merely scanning my features and the stiffness of my body, he is able to deduce how tense I’ve become.
Like he is reading me. Thank God he can’t hear the obsessive pounding in my chest. “I only have intentions of healing your sustained bruises if you’re willing to let me. ”
I breathe deeply and feel the sincerity within his voice.
Nodding, he removes a glove and approaches once more, gently placing his gloved hand beneath my chin and holding my gaze.
His ungloved fingers stroke across my bruised skin with an inviting warmth.
I tremble. Never has anyone handled me this delicately, not seeking my body for personal gain or pleasure.
Realizing I’m leaning into his palm spells how dangerous this fay truly is.
One, two, three feet–no, a fucking mile.
That’s how far I need to be away from him and how he slips under my defenses.
Not to mention how his taste slides past the small cracks of my lips and dances atop my tongue.
His fragrance entices something dark from within, urging me to pounce and devour him like only I know I’m capable of.
One minute I’m perplexed and wanting my distance, the next, I’m wanting his hands all over me. What is going on?
Alex gives one last stroke then separates from me, placing his glove back on. “There. All finished.”
Hypocrite. Already I’m missing his touch after giving him a hard time, and furthermore, I put a lid on these ridiculous, intrusive thoughts.
“Thank you.” I conceal a pout as his piercing, gray eyes find mine, and the blacks of his pupils dilate.
“What?” But instead of answering, he snarls in disgust, inconsistent from the times before. Did I do something to piss him off?
A golden light behind Alex floods Rebecca’s office and vanishes. “We’ve been beckoned by the Elders,” the bane of my existence reports. How the hell did Ethan find us? He steps around Alex and comes into view, but not before I receive an order from nurse Gentle-Hands.
“Head back, and call Angie to come check for more injuries. I’ll address Rebecca on being absent for a meeting she initiated.”
“Okay.” I curl my lips in response to Ethan’s loathsome grin .
Embedded inside him lies a beast of chaos, and after escaping his hatred for days, I’m reminded of his promise to end my life. He tilts his head, scanning me up and down, pausing dead center on my chest. If I didn’t feel vulnerable earlier, I sure as shit do now.
Returning my awareness to Alex, who now lingers in front of the golden door, Ethan stalks closer, moving beneath the light’s path and regaining my attention. It strikes his features and pulls focus to each presented detail.
“Do ensure you see Angie. We’d hate for something…unfortunate to happen, little Nova.” He fully enters my space. What the hell does that mean, little Nova? “Go ahead, run along like a good…” he forms a sinister smile, “pet.”
I gasp at the insult. “Fuck you.”
“I humbly decline your offer. But thanks…And do mind your language; have some decorum.”
An inferno churns my core, heating my blood to an uncomfortable boiling point. “I hate you.”
“Don’t care,” he rebuts, leaning over and matching my height. He pockets his hands, and we become imprisoned in a voiceless dispute. Two wildfires using one another as a fueling source, my contempt reflecting off his eyes.
“Let’s go, Ethan,” Alex announces, growing weary of this encounter.
Ethan forfeits our battle and summons a golden sigil beneath him.
Another smirk and he’s gone in an instant.
“We’ll be in touch,” Alex huffs then flicks his wrist, summoning a pitch-black sigil and vanishes.
Both lights fade one after the other. I let out the biggest and deepest breath of air my lungs can muster.
“What the hell was that?” I voice, pacing and trying to subdue my anger.
Above everything, in this moment, the realization of how dangerous they both are is abundantly clear.
My head needs to remain on a swivel. Their ability to rile me up and force my body to comply is alarming. And I don’t like that one bit.