Chapter Twenty - One
Chapter
Twenty-One
ASHER
Sage is practically sprinting away from Malachi's office, her bare feet barely making a sound against the floors.
She's flustered. Upset.
I can't blame her. Malachi has that effect on people.
Unfortunately for her, I have an effect on people, too.
I catch up easily, slipping into step beside her. "So, that was fun."
She glances at me, her eyes wide with lingering distress. "Fun? Are you serious?"
"Always." I flash her my most charming grin. "You and Malachi really had a moment in there. Lots of intense eye contact. Lots of tension. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were about to rip each other's clothes off."
She stops abruptly, her cheeks flushing bright pink. "Please don't say things like that."
I smirk. "I'm just saying, if you ever want to process your complicated feelings for Malachi, I'm here for emotional support."
Her eyes drop to the floor. "You're not being helpful."
I clutch my chest dramatically. "That hurts, Sage. That really hurts."
She wraps her arms around herself and starts walking again.
"I know, let's go this way," I suggest, lightly grabbing her wrist. She looks down where I've gripped her, but doesn't fight it.
"Where are you even taking me?"
"Gym."
She stops. "Gym?"
"Yeah, you know. Place where people lift heavy things, get sweaty, take their shirts off." I waggle my brows. "I highly recommend it."
She shifts uncomfortably. "I don't work out. I read."
I gasp. "No."
"Yes."
"You mean to tell me," I say, slowly, "that you don't spend hours sculpting your body into a masterpiece like I do?"
She gives a tiny, hesitant smile. "Absolutely not."
I place a hand over my heart. "That is deeply tragic. But fear not, Sage. I will personally introduce you to the joys of physical exertion."
She looks down, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "I'm not sure I have a choice here."
"You don't," I confirm, steering her toward the gym doors.
She sighs softly. "I suppose it's better than going back there."
That's the thing about Sage.
She fights against Malachi, she tenses with Elias, but with me?
She goes along with it.
I like that.
The gym is empty, because obviously, this is Malachi's mansion, and no one else is allowed here unless he deems it necessary. Which means, right now, it's just me and Sage.
Perfect.
I step inside, inhaling deeply. "Ah. Smells like ambition and the faint remnants of testosterone. Beautiful."
Sage looks uncertain, hovering near the doorway. "You have a unique way of describing things."
"Why shouldn't I be?" I wink, stripping off my jacket and tossing it onto a nearby bench. "Look at me."
She looks away quickly. "You're very... confident."
"I am. And, you're still here." I grin. "Which means part of you enjoys my company. Go on. Say it. I won't judge."
She murmurs something inaudible, tucking her hair behind her ear.
I head toward the free weights, cracking my knuckles. "Alright, watch and learn, librarian. This is how a real man works out."
I grab a set of heavy dumbbells, rolling my shoulders before smoothly pressing them overhead. Flawless form. Impeccable technique.
I see Sage watching.
I grin, adjusting my grip slightly, making a show of it. "Like what you see?"
Her face flushes immediately, and she looks down. "I'm just... observing."
I lower the weights, wiping a fake bead of sweat from my forehead. "So that's a yes."
She shifts her weight. "I don't know why I'm here."
"Mm." I smirk. "But you're still here."
She doesn't respond.
I laugh, dropping onto the bench, reaching for a towel. "You can admit it, Sage. You're intrigued by me. Fascinated, even."
She glances up. "Fascinated?"
"Deeply," I say solemnly. "I mean, I understand. You've never been around someone like me before. Handsome, charming, ridiculously talented?—"
She gives a small, nervous laugh.
I press a hand to my chest. "Was that a laugh I just heard?"
She quickly covers her mouth, but there's a hint of a smile there, and something warm curls in my chest.
Damn.
I like that sound.
A little too much.
I stretch my arms, making a big show of flexing just enough to remind her exactly who she's dealing with. "Alright, your turn. Grab some weights. Let's go."
She looks at me with wide eyes. "I don't think so."
"Come on," I coax. "I'll even let you spot me. You can save my life, Sage. Imagine the bragging rights."
She shakes her head, arms still wrapped protectively around herself. "I wouldn't know what to do."
I flash her a bright, unapologetic grin.
"And yet," I say smoothly, "you're still here."
Sage stands there, arms still crossed, watching me with those uncertain blue-grey eyes.
It's endearing, really.
She finally tilts her head. "I saw you at the Ritual."
I raise a brow. "Oh? Enjoy the show?"
She looks away quickly. "With two women."
"Ah." I nod solemnly. "Yes. Lovely girls."
Her lips press together. "What happened to them?"
I blink, not expecting that question. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, are they okay?"
I grin, stretching my arms over my head. "They got paid. They're happy. They went home with more money than they probably ever expected."
She glances up at me cautiously. "That's not what I meant."
I sigh dramatically. "Sage, are you fishing for some kind of dark, tragic consequence? Because I assure you, there isn't one."
She shakes her head, her brow furrowed. "I just don't understand how you all talk about the Ritual like it's just... normal."
I tilt my head, studying her. "That's because, for most of us, it is."
She frowns. "But intimate connections aren't supposed to be transactions."
"Not for everyone," I admit, rubbing my jaw. "But for some? It's a relief."
She looks confused, so I continue.
"You assume everyone wants the chase. That everyone needs to feel the drive to find someone. But that's not true. Some people don't want to be tied down. Some people don't want to feel that hunger at all."
I lean against the machine beside me, watching her process my words.
"You have to understand, Sage—the Ritual doesn't just benefit warlocks. There are plenty of people who find it comforting to just... let go. To not have to chase something, to not have to wonder. They take part, they walk away, and they never have to think about it again."
She doesn't respond right away.
Instead, she bites her lip, considering, really considering.
I grin. "See? Not so sinister after all."
She exhales softly. "I still don't understand it completely."
I laugh, pushing off the machine. "Of course you don't. You're still questioning everything."
She looks down. "I can't help it."
"Which is exactly why you're here," I say, gesturing around us. "Come on. I'll show you how to use one of these machines. You might enjoy it."
She hesitates visibly. "I'm not sure..."
"You will when I personally guide you through it," I say, flashing my most charming grin.
She sighs. "Just one machine. Then I'd like to rest."
I beam. "That's the spirit!"
I lead her to one of the weight machines, gesturing grandly. "Alright. This one's a classic. Let's see what you've got, bookworm."
She gives me a timid look. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Extremely."
She hesitates before finally sitting on the bench. "What do I do?"
I step behind her, hands resting lightly on her shoulders.
She goes completely still.
Oh.
Interesting.
I ignore the way her body reacts to my touch, leaning over just slightly. "Alright, put your hands here," I murmur, guiding her fingers to the handles. Her skin is warm, softer than I expected.
She exhales, and I feel the way her chest rises and falls.
I smirk. "Relax, Sage. I don't bite."
She stares straight ahead, her voice barely audible. "I'm just not used to this."
I chuckle, keeping my touch light, deliberate as I adjust her grip. "Now, when you push forward, engage your core. Try to keep your movements controlled."
She does as I say, hesitant at first, but then smoothly extends her arms.
"Good," I murmur, my hands brushing down her arms, lingering just a second too long.
She shivers.
Fuck.
I shouldn't be this close to her.
I shouldn't remember the way she kissed me.
But I do.
And it's a problem.
I force myself to step back, stuffing my hands into my pockets before I do something reckless.
"Alright, that's enough education for one day," I say, forcing lightness into my tone.
Sage lowers the weights, exhaling, and when she turns to look at me, her cheeks are slightly flushed.
I grin, pretending like I don't feel a damn thing.
"See? Not so terrible, right?"
She gives a small nod, her voice soft. "Thank you for the distraction."
I wink. "Any time, librarian."