Chapter 55
Chloe gaped at him. “We didn’t do anything! She just started flipping out because she’s such a freak.”
A small, quiet girl stepped forward, her hands shaking as she approached Trace. “She’s lying. Chloe and her friends pulled back the shower curtain. They were making fun of Leighton’s scars. Grace took a picture on her phone.”
Trace whirled on Grace. “Give me your phone. Now.”
“No! You can’t just take it. That little bitch is lying.”
The trio glared at the younger girl, who was trembling now.
Purple fire rose to Trace’s hand. “Give me the phone, or I’ll give you your own scars.”
Grace yelped and threw the phone at Trace. “You can’t use your powers on school grounds. You can’t threaten me!”
Trace incinerated the phone mid-air, then turned to face Chloe. He stalked toward her slowly. Each step he took, his eyes glowed brighter with a fury that had everyone frozen to the spot.
“You think I don’t know this is all you?”
Chloe’s hands began to tremble. “It was just a joke. Someone needed to show Leighton her place. She’s not one of us, Trace.”
Purple sparks danced around Trace’s fingertips. “She means more to us than you ever will. And you know it. That’s why you’re pulling this stunt. But what you didn’t think about was the fact that hurting Leighton would only make us hate you.”
Chloe looked as if she’d been slapped. “Trace…”
He stalked forward another step, the locker room deathly silent.
“Before, we didn’t give a damn about you.
You were just this annoying bitch always buzzing around, not taking the fucking hint that we didn’t want anything to do with you.
But now you’ve crossed the line. You’ve hurt what’s ours.
Our most sacred gift. I should gut you where you stand. ”
Mimi took three large steps away from Chloe.
Chloe’s gaze jumped around the room. “It wasn’t my idea. Mimi’s the one that pulled the curtain back.”
Mimi gaped at her friend. “You told me to do it!”
“Shut up,” Trace barked, and they both froze.
His gaze tracked over Mimi. “You’ve always been pathetic, begging for my cock. Did you know that I only touch people I despise? Only those I’m absolutely fine with breaking. That’s why I touched you. But even then, I didn’t want your disgusting fingers on me.”
“Mimi?!” Chloe shrieked.
Mimi had turned the shade of a tomato. “T-that’s not true. We have something special. You know I’m never with anyone but you.”
Trace scoffed. “You’re disposable. An outlet for an overflow of magic. A dumpster.”
“You hooked up with my bond?!” Chloe screamed.
Trace turned toward her. “I’m not yours. I never will be. But your little posse has been trying to get my dick from the moment you set your sights on us. So, you might want to make better choices when it comes to friends…”
I swore steam came out of Chloe’s ears. “You’re going to pay for that,” she spat at Grace and Mimi.
“The only one paying here is you,” Trace growled. Purple fire flared to life in his palm, then shot out, engulfing the ends of Chloe’s hair.
She screamed in terror.
A second later, Trace called it back, but it was too late. The lower half of Chloe’s precious hair was gone and what was left was smoking.
“Get out of my sight before I take your skin next,” Trace snarled.
Chloe bolted from the locker room, tears streaming down her face. The rest of the girls hurried after her.
The room was silent except for the water still running in my shower. Trace crossed to it and turned off the water. I didn’t move, nothing but the wave of shivers coursing through my body.
Trace made his way slowly toward me, as if approaching an injured animal. “Leighton?”
I wanted to say something, I wasn’t even sure what, but no words came out.
Concern streaked through Trace’s expression as he ducked down to make eye contact. “Look at me, Little Bird.”
I tried, but I couldn’t quite make my eyes focus. Trace was blurry around the edges.
“I’m going to help you, all right? Is it okay if I touch you?”
I nodded robotically.
Trace moved, wrapping me in a towel and picking me up in one fluid motion. He grabbed my gym bag and strode from the main locker room into a smaller office that I assumed belonged to Coach. He sank onto a small sofa and curled me into him.
The moment his arms encircled me, a peaceful buzz lit somewhere deep. It zipped through my system, easing the worst of the shock and pain.
“Just breathe, Little Bird. I’ve got you.”
“Why?” I croaked.
He pulled back, his brow furrowing. “Why?”
“Why did you come?” He didn’t even particularly like me.
Trace’s jaw hardened. “I could feel your distress. Knew something was wrong.”
“Feel it?”
He nodded and rubbed at a spot along his sternum. “I knew it wasn’t physical danger, but I could feel your heart hurting.”
Tears filled my eyes. “I can’t take any more.”
Trace cupped my face, the contact intensifying the buzz in my system. “Yes, you can. You’re the strongest person I know.”
“I’ve only let you guys see my scars. I don’t—I didn’t want anyone to know.”
Rage pulsed in his eyes. “No one is going to say a damn thing.”
I wished I could believe Trace, but gossip had a way of getting around.
“Their reaction, their eyes, it’s like burning alive all over again.”
Trace froze, and then he pressed his forehead to mine. “I’m so sorry, Little Bird. I’d take every ounce of pain if I could. I wish I’d been there. I’d give anything to have stopped it.”
A heady high swept around me as Trace’s scent filled my lungs. A dark lilac scent that made me want to dive deeper.
His hand slipped into the opening of my towel, and his fingers traced the gnarled skin. “You’re the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen. These are just a part of that beauty. A part of your strength.”
My gaze locked with his. “Am I disposable?”
Trace reared back.
“You said you only touch people who are disposable, who you despise.”
Trace’s thumb skimmed the edge of my bottom lip. “Sometimes I wish I could despise you. It would make it easier.”
My chest constricted, making it hard to breathe. “Make what easier?”
“Staying away from you.”
I didn’t look away from him, silently pleading for answers.
“If I keep touching you like I want,”—his fingers traced my scars—“I’ll break you, Little Bird.”