“Then I guess you’re done because I’ve got nothing left to say,” he rattles out with his icy tone.
He grabs his bag, and walks past me while leaving the most sickening chills on my body. Brazen is the cold blooded full blood, but Hale’s frigid trail ices me over. I suck back the tears I refuse to keep crying, and the windows blow free from their placement when I need a new outlet.
The whole apartment becomes one big punching bag as my gift seeps out too much, and I walk through the shattering debris littering the air to pull out two vials of olophine. The crashing violently continues as everything slams into the ground, and I inject myself with both bottles before I turn the compound inside out.
I stare out the gaping hole where a window once stood, and I watch the taillights disappearing into the night with the pain and secrets dangling behind him. I numbly make my way back to the door, and I see the picture of me still intact. I pick it up, tears filling my eyes all the more, and then I shatter the frame to pull the picture free.
I rip it to shreds, and I neatly lay the confetti on the table before turning off the light to the destroyed room. Devastation hovers over me like a relentless storm cloud - the savage inside me waiting to rock free. I feel the knot in my throat gaining size when it becomes harder to swallow. I feel dizzy almost, but I shake it off. I want to rip something in half. I need to get out of this place as soon as possible.
“Araya Crush?” a man from behind me asks, and I almost jump out of my skin when I hear the unfamiliar voice coming out of nowhere.
“Yes,” I gasp breathlessly.
I turn to see his light hair sweeping militantly into place, and his strong body dressed pristinely without so much as one wrinkle disturbing his official attire. The jet black ensemble is decorated with several red patches and the captain’s stripes prominently stand out beside his badge.
“Sorry,” he chuckles out. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I came to speak with Commander Jude about something, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to tell you how gravely sorry I am. I didn’t find your résumé until this morning.”
“Résumé?” I ask bemused.
“Yes. I’m Captain Hawkins… from the Hershian Compound. I was hoping to give you the lead interrogation job if you were still interested, but Commander Jude informed me you were offered the position here. I hate that I missed out on such an opportunity.”
I feel air finding my lungs once more, and then I shake my head.
“I’m not taking the job here. I’d still like to come to Hershian if that’s okay.”
He looks startled now, and his lips move while words evade him momentarily.
“Are… are you sure? Hershian is a very small place with a far less glamorous appeal than the Seminole.”
I stare at the picture of Hale hanging on the wall behind him. This damn compound is obsessed with Hale. There are pictures of him all over this fucking place. I’d never be able to get him out of my head.
I clear my throat before straining out, “The glamour can be blinding, but this place is too cold. I’d love to come to Hershian.”
“That sounds great. Just come as soon as you like,” he says excitedly, and I stare into his pale eyes.
“You know I’m hybrid,” I quickly insert.
“I know. That’s one of the reasons you’re so damn good at interrogation. I’ve studied up on your tactics in the past to use as training for my cadets. Having you would be a huge deal to our smaller compound.”
I’m shocked by how completely unaffected he is by my hybrid status when it’s very clear he’s a full blood. He even praised me and my talent.
“When are you going back?” I ask curiously.
“I’m going back tonight after I speak with a few others about some changes I plan on making to the compound. It’s necessary to get approval from the United heads before making some adjustments. Why?”
“I’ll just ride back with you. Most of my belongings were destroyed in Javeline, so I travel light.”
His eyes widen in delighted surprise as he excitedly replies, “That sounds great.”
“I’ll meet up with you later then, Captain Hawkins,” I murmur softly while giving him a wave.
“Please, call me Nicholas,” he says before I get out of sight.
“Okay, Nicholas.”
I smile and then I head back into the room full of people celebrating my birthday which now seems more like my doomsday. This is twice he has ruined it for me, and he refuses to tell me why.
Brazen smiles as he walks toward me, and his arms instantly wrap around my waist. His smile fades quickly when he sees my eyes, and his ability to read me proves to be still intact.
