31. Let the games begin
Let the games begin
KYRA
“Blaise, could you not.”
But he continues writing in his stupid brown book, and for the first time since meeting him, he holds a genuine smile as his pen flicks across the pages.
“And miss out on all this wonder unraveling?”
My eyes roll. “Why did I sit next to you?”
Despite my many gripes over his excessive attention into my business, Blaise’s company is keeping me from prying into Alex’s situation and whomever the female is sitting beside him.
I’m pondering what was in the letter he handed her which caused such a loud, joyous giggle.
Furthermore, what has her keeping his attention.
Sure, she threw one of the fays sitting beside him across the room, and yes, she has the body of an Amazon warrior, but most everyone attending this bizarre Academy is near perfection, like it’s a requirement. So what makes her different? Unless she too is a vampire. Fuck.
Nope, you can’t become jealous. In fact, it’s borderline wrong. If I keep score with who has held my attention, well, amongst the many names I’ve been called, asshole would sum up my actions .
Russ weaseled his way into my good graces, knocking down emotional walls the last guy put up, and honestly, I’m not mad. His charismatic nature pushed through my barriers and filled me with something I’ve always dreamed of. A high school crush.
Raine has made it his mission to ensure all my wants are met, besides getting me food because that shit doesn’t exist here. But has checked on me over the past few days, always sending a good morning and good night text. His reasoning, “I like being the first and last thing on your mind.”
I’d suggested he was getting a little ahead of himself, which he responded by saying, “Time waits for no one. An essence such as this requires precise dedication. One I’ll prove isn’t a mistake.” Which left me speechless and him on ‘read.’
Then there is Caspian. An enigma if there ever was one. Look at him, pretending he’s not having fun. I should demand he ask me to dance.
Since our time on the roof, we have engaged in this game of his, where he damn near pulls his secrets out of me. But I won’t lose again.
A fool would deny things are changing, and though my mission still remains first, I can’t ignore the many times I’ve enjoyed their company, or had them cross my mind. However, I’ll never forget my oath to Rosie. I promise.
“If you continue staring at them like that, you might go blind,” Blaise interjects, turning another page.
“If you continue writing like that, I might break your hand.”
“Yep, anger. Kyra’s mad at someone, but who?” he whispers, side-eyeing me.
I laugh, not because it’s funny in any way, but he is pissing me off while simultaneously being right. Yet I can’t help but enjoy his company when he isn’t prodding for information on how I’m able to remember him.
“Question for you.” I turn my attention to him .
“There might be an answer somewhere. Unlike you, who refuses to reveal how you continue deflecting my magic, but sure, ask away.”
Here we go again. “For the last time, I don’t know. After waking up, your name is the first I think of.” I sigh, hoping this is his last time asking.
“If you say so, I’ll believe it. What’s your question?” He smiles, which appears sincere, and I return one myself.
“If you have information on others here, unless your obsession is with me, may I read one of your books?” I chuckle.
Hacking is becoming fruitful, but I have a long road ahead.
Who knew everything decreed as fable on earth holds truth here.
Like Alex being part vampire, part elf, and Alise is part elf and something more.
The information is hidden behind a magical encryption, along with their last names.
Even Angie, so I’m still working on it. Ashlyn is a damn harpy.
It makes sense why she is so powerful, and why I spent more time on her file, not making it past the A’s.
His pen stops mid stroke, and he turns my way.
“Obsession is a broad word, so, let’s go with intrigued.
I’ve noticed when you’re around, things happen that otherwise wouldn’t.
Fantastical…Unintentional…Notable things.
” He pauses, and very lightly, the corner of his lips rise.
“And yes, my books contain information on more than just you. But what makes you curious, or should I say, whom?”
Perfect, if his notes hold secrets their records don’t have, I can… Wait. Did he say I’m fun and intriguing?
Clearing my throat, I refuse to gaze at either of his multicolored eyes. I place a cheek upon my palm. “If you must know, I find your writing enthralling. You always have a book, and I’m curious what keeps your interest.”
“My interest? Well, if you insist, though, you might not be able to read it.”
Closing his leather book, Blaise slides it to me, creating a rising thunder of excitement within my pulse. I’m finally getting an inside view of his mind.
While I fantasize of the words written, he pulls out another one, scanning the room and writing more. It’s mind-blowing how many of these he possesses.
Lifting the cover, I reveal the first page. A short, elegantly written sentence sits alone.
Two eyes, two visions, one ending.
After a few rereads, I still can’t decipher its meaning. A password–riddle–or a mere line expressing his feelings on a subject. Either way, I flip to the next page, viewing calligraphy scratched into a thin, tanned sheet with dark ink. My fingers stroke over each letter.
“Your writing, Blaise, it’s beautiful.” But before I can read past the first word, it vanishes.
The fuck. Flipping page after page, I see it all continue to fade like I’m unworthy of reading its contents.
All ink disappears at first glance. “Great, you said I could read it, but whatever spell you placed is erasing the ink.” Frowning, I snap my head to his.
“No, you inquired about reading my books, and I gave you one. But I also stated you might not be able to read it.” He grins, scribbling faster while mumbling, “Her anger is turning into rage, not curiosity.”
“At least tell me one thing you wrote in it. Since, you know, I’m somehow unworthy.” I am starting to feel a type of way for getting my hopes up. *Sigh*
“Another time, you have a visitor.”
Blaise points to my right without looking, and I follow his finger.
Raine struts over with a beverage in hand.
He scans me with such heat, I damn near feel its warmth.
Shit. Surprise is an understatement. We texted earlier, but he never told me he was coming.
But damn he looks good in all-black. Holy shit.
His fragrance of Honeycrisp apples and melted chocolate reaches me before he does, and a hum sends my aura in a flurry.
“Kyra, how’s your night going?” he asks, standing before me, handing over a chilled beverage.
I take it, giving it a sniff, and find tequila swirling within its blue and white mixture.
“Hey, Raine, what’s this?” I ask, unable to avoid the smile pushing my cheeks up.
“I call it ‘Rushing Tide.’ Gentle going down, but dangerous the more you drink. This will be your only glass.” He chortles.
He holds my stare as I try a sip. Small, because I’m not prone to taking drinks I didn’t witness being poured. A second or two passes, and nothing but blueberries and cream fills my tastebuds. “Thank you, it’s delicious.” I sip once more.
Blaise flips a page, and my attention moves towards him. The smile he had is replaced by a deep expression while his hand moves twice as fast as before. Whatever he’s writing, it’s not that serious.
“Excuse my intrusion, but I saw you without a drink and felt you’ll need one to properly enjoy Haven’s Hole. It can be a bit…much.”
“You’re fine, but yes, this helps out a lot.” Swallowing another gulp, I pray a brain freeze never finds me. “When did you arrive?”
“Somewhere around the time a fay was tossed across the floor.” Raine laughs. “But I hope you don’t plan on sitting here all night. There’s much to enjoy.”
His eyes, lemon lime, confine me in a way that speaks of untold secrets.
A glow I can’t avert from, and those rumors of us being intimate flood back.
More than friends. I feel my pulse rising, desire itching beneath my skin.
He really does smell good. Until Ethan dismisses himself from their booth, and I notice a disapproval gleam in his stare.
Over Raine’s shoulder, Alex’s curious leer bounces between the three of us, watching. My memory jumps to the discovered information from hacking his file.
Vampires have exceptional hearing. Speed and strength weren’t shocking; I’ve seen enough movies and shows to believe it, but here they can listen from miles away.
Miles. And since he and Ethan are brothers, it stands to reason why they’re both staring at me from two different locations. Fuck. How much have they heard?
“You have other visitors.” Blaise points, and sure enough, Caspian and Marcel bound our way. Surrounding eyes follow their path while Angie and a few others twist and turn their bodies out on the dance floor to Escapism by RAYE.
“Blaise,” I whisper, “do you believe in bad luck?”
“Not bad luck, more like unfortunate destinies,” he whispers back.
“Well, if you call my destiny unfortunate, I call it cursed.” My low pitch changes in a matter of seconds. “Marcel, heeeey.” I dawn a fake smile as his aura jabs into my arms. Murderous…Annoyed…Determined . He is anything other than gleeful.
“A fucking lizard and frog, Kyra. What are we, eight? No, I take it back, even our eight-year-old faylings aren’t afraid of such creatures,” he sneers with anger curling his lips. “And who the fuck are you? Why are you so damn close to her?” His wrath targets everyone.
“Marcel, who in the hell–” I start.