Chapter 29 #2
“Yeah, unfortunately they had to get back on the road right away, as this was an unexpected stop between tour dates. They’re on their way to Ohio,” he says.
“But,” he reaches around the side of his desk and comes back up with a tube and a hoodie.
“Shut up. Is that for me?” I say as I reach out to grab the tube.
He quickly hides it behind his back.
“Zayne, seriously?” I say, frustrated.
“How much is it worth to you?” he teases.
I don’t hesitate, and I don’t think. I walk up closer to him and pull him down to my level.
He lets me, and that’s the only permission I need.
I look into his eyes, and I can see the same passion I’m feeling looking back at me.
I brush my lips against his, teasing him.
But before I can deepen the kiss and take the leap past the line, past the boundary he put in place, there’s a knock at the door.
I take a step back, looking down at the floor, my cheeks still burning from the anticipation of finally getting to kiss him again. When Knox peaks his head in, looking at the two of us, he hesitates, realizing he’s just interrupted something.
Zayne, clearly flustered as well, fumbles the poster tube for a second, and then hands it to me awkwardly before shoving the hoodie at me.
Clearing his throat, he says, “Here, hope you like it.”
What the fuck? I raise my eyebrow at him and take it from him.
“I’m sure I will,”
Knox clears his throat.
“Uh, as fascinating as it is to watch you two pretend you don’t have feelings for each other, Vix said you wanted to see me, Myssa.”
“Yeah, I do.” I look at him, turning the tables back on his smart-ass remark.
“Speaking of pretending, care to share your antics this evening with Vix?” I ask, setting the tube and hoodie on the couch.
Zayne looks at both of us. “What antics?” he chimes in.
Knox steps all the way into the office, closing the door.
“Did you see what she came dressed in?” he protests, his voice slightly cracking.
“She should never wear something like that. In fact, now that we’re bringing it up, Zayne,” he pleads.
“I feel there should be a new policy that miniskirts should not be worn here. It makes it hard for our bouncers to keep the girls safe if men are constantly gawking over them and trying to hit on them.”
Zayne just rolls his eyes. “You know we aren’t going to do that. The ladies are allowed to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable. It's your job, regardless, to make sure they are safe. That’s why I pay you.”
“But,” Knox starts in protest, “Vix.”
“Vix is a grown woman,” I add, “and can take care of herself, thanks to you and what you have taught her. She can handle it, Knox.”
His shoulders fall in defeat. “Whatever.”
“What did you need, Myssa?” He takes a seat in the chair next to me.
Zayne plops himself down behind his desk. I pause, remembering the night they told me about Aetheriem. I didn’t tell them about Lily then, but now, after her warning, I feel like I don’t have a choice.
“I got pulled into Aetheriem during the concert,” I say, and they both look at me.
“I thought that’s what happened, but it was so quick, you were only still for a second, and when I went to look at your eyes, you were already back,” Zayne says.
“Did you go by mistake?” Knox asks.
I guess it’s now or never. Now that I know Zayne’s secret about Jonathan, maybe it’s only fair I tell him what’s going on with Lily. I know Knox swore vault, but I feel I owe it to them both to be truthful.
“No, this was different. It was like I was being summoned. I could feel the pull, and I closed my eyes for a second to ground myself, but the pull was too strong, and I ended back in an abandoned building.”
Both of them look at me with worried faces.
This is too important now to turn back. We need to be prepared, we need to be ready.
These are the two most important men in my life now, and I need to know they are safe, just as much as they want to protect me.
So, if this little bit of information helps them, then it’s the least I can do.
“Was Jasper there?” Knox asks in concern.
“No, but there is something I haven’t told you. The first time I was in Aetheriem. I didn’t see Jasper, I saw someone else..” I pause not being able to meet their eyes, “There was a little girl.” But before I can continue, I’m interrupted by both of them.
“A what?” they both say in unison. Did they not hear what I said?
“Not a what, a who. I met this little girl and—” again, I’m cut off, this time by Knox. Frustrated, I just stare between the both of them. Why do they keep cutting me off?
“You must be mistaken, Myssa, there are no children on Aetheriem. Only immortals to help with souls. Even when children pass on this side, they enter as their adult self.”
I look at him and frown. I know I remember them saying something about no children, but clearly Lily is proof they were misinformed.
Just when I thought I was comfortable with my new reality, they’re making me question everything all over again.
No, I know she is real. This wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
I double down as I stare at Knox and point at him.
“And I’m telling you, there was a little girl. I’m not a fucking idiot, Knox.” This is bullshit. I finally tell them about Lily, and they’re trying to tell me what, that I’m lying? I’m delusional? Fuck that. I stand up, but Zayne lightly grabs my wrist, and I snap my gaze at him.
“We believe you, Myssa. What did she say?” His voice is calm, and he nods for me to sit back down.
That small touch of reassurance is like a soothing blanket than extinguishes my anger in an instant.
Zayne gives Knox a silent look that has him sitting back in his chair.
His face softens as he nods in agreement.
I sit back down in the chair, and Zayne lets go of my arm, taking a deep breath.
Already missing the warmth of his touch, I answer.
“To warn us,” I say softly.
“Wait, she wanted to warn us? About what? Knox asks as I look at him.
“Jasper,” I say, as if the answer isn’t obvious.
“She said something is coming, that she could feel it,” I say.
“And you trust her?” Zayne questions.
I look up back at him, and I can tell he’s being genuine.
Honestly, I don’t blame them for their hesitation.
They’ve been in this longer than I have, and this is new information to them.
They were blindsided by someone they didn’t know existed till just now.
If she is part of the rebellion, there has to be a reason why she was never brought up before.
“Yes, I do,” I say confidently, recalling the look in her eyes.
“She was scared, not scared for herself, but scared for me. I don’t know how to explain, but yes, I trust her.”
“Just like I trust the both of you,” I admit, and the quick surprise in Zayne’s eyes is only there for a second.
Zayne and I’s relationship might be in the friend zone right now.
But there’s no question in my heart or soul that I trust both these men.
That they would protect me no matter what.
That they have been truthful with me. I have no reason to doubt them.
No more secrets.
“The first time I met her, she knew everything…the rebellion, Jasper…” Taking a moment, I add, “My sister.”
“She knew about Nik?” Knox’s voice softens in surprise.
When I look at him, I can see the sincerity. I just nod, not wanting to go any deeper into it.
“Like I said, she was nervous, and I don’t know how she hides from Jasper, but she does, and her warning can only mean he’s going to do something.”
“Yeah, but what?” Knox asks as he stands. “Kinda feels like we’re sitting ducks. Have you heard anything from Jess or Steph yet?” He turns, looking at Zayne.
Zayne shakes his head. “I’ll reach out for a meeting,”
Knox leans against the chair and agrees. “Sooner rather than later would probably be best,”
“Agreed,” Zayne says, folding his arms.
“We’ll see if they know anything about this girl Myssa has talked to. If Jasper is getting stronger, they would know,” Zayne explains.
“So, what now?” I ask.
Zayne sighs. “Until then, we need to be cautious. We just continue doing what we do. We really don’t know anything till we talk to Jess and Steph, and I will reach out tomorrow.”
Knox nods. “Myssa, please be cautious—we don’t know what this means, and if she reaches out to you again—”
“I know, I know, let you guys know, blah blah blah.” I stand, stretching as I roll my eyes at him.
Zayne stifles a laugh, and Knox just glares at me.
“Damnit, Myssa,” Knox says in a serious tone.
But I take my hands and smash them against each side of his face, and in a mocking baby voice, I say, “It’s so adorable when your protective-brother mode gets activated.”
He smacks my hands away playfully and takes a step towards the door. But then he stops and turns around. “Come on, woman, I ain't got all day. Where’s my hug?” he says impatiently.
I walk over and give him a hug.
“She’s your problem tonight, Z.” He looks over my shoulder, at Zayne, then at me, as he opens the door. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” he says, and walks out the door.
I turn to see Zayne staring at me, and the compassion in his eyes has turned to determination. A lust-filled gaze I’ve only been privy to with quick glances when he thinks I’m not looking.
He is cracking the armor I’ve kept up to guard myself from his punishing blow.
Just friends, Myssa. But that look has immediately ignited every nerve ending in my body. I have kept my cool for weeks. Only friends, Myssa, I say to myself again. His attraction is all in your head. Only friends, Myssa. Only friends, Myssa. Only friends, Myssa.
He’s not saying anything, and I’m watching the pieces fall.
Oh look, there goes another one, drifting to the floor.
My vulnerability is showing. He’s exposing me in the rawest of ways without a single word.
As he takes a step forward, I take a step back.
My breathing begins to become erratic as this dance happens for a few steps until he has me against the door.
“I can’t do this anymore,” he whispers.