“Youwillbreathe,” he declared, and then smirked. “Because I said so.”
A part of me balked at the idea of doing something just because he told me to. Another part flew into a rage at the pure audacity of this man to think he could command me out of a panic attack. As his smirk deepened, so did my fury.
“Fuck-ing… assssshole.” The words were reedy and weak, but I had a few choice more saved for him.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, babe. Just wait until I tell you our plans for the summer.”
My eyes widened, finally chasing away the tunnel vision and shadows. The absolute balls of this guy.
“Like that, did you?” he crowed. “Good, because the next three months are just going to be you and me and a fancy beach house by the sea.”
That was it. I drew in a deep breath and clutched his shirt hard enough for my nails to scrape his skin below. Tugging him forward, I met his daring stare with one of my own.
“Like hell.”
I pushed him away, and he stumbled into the dining table with a laugh.
“Now, is that any way to say thank you?” he teased and tried to straighten the wrinkles my fists made in his shirt.
A quick glance around the room showed Kai and Eryn warily watching from the side. Any other time, I would be mortified at knowing they witnessed one of my attacks. Having my weakness on display was a surefire way to send me spiraling again… if it weren’t for the rage.
I double-fisted that shit and rode it all the way past outrage and mortification. Choosing to focus on Ezra’s words instead, I pretended like I hadn’t almost wheezed my way into passing out and glared at all of them.
“I. Am. Going. Home.”
It was done. Decided.
Ezra chuckled and sauntered over to stand before me once more. “Respectfully, babe, no, you’re not.”
My fingers curled into fists, and I growled, but before I could step forward and break his perfect nose, Eryn darted between us with her hands raised.
“Why don’t we all talk about it first?” she pleaded.
“There's nothing to talk about,” I told her. “I’m getting the fuck out of here. I want to gohome.” My voice cracked on the last word, but I held it together.
“Unfortunately, that’s not possible right now.”
Kai’s tone was firm, but not unkind. It was the voice of someone very used to getting their way. Which, I guess, made sense, considering who he was.
“I’m not one of your witches, Kai. You can’t tell me what to do.”
And it wasn’t fair for him to expect me to follow the rules of a society I was forced into and knew next to nothing about.
“No,” he argued. “But you are my friend, and I care about your safety.”
“We all do,” Eryn added.
My anger deflated a little. There was true worry in Eryn’s gaze. Something was going on that I didn’t yet understand. I wasn’t sure it gave them the right to make decisions for me, but I was willing to hear them out. I wasn’t completely stupid. I knew it had something to do with the djinn.
Jaw clenched, I gave Kai a small nod for him to explain.
“There’s no easy or gentle way to put this,” he said. “You’re in danger, and the longer you stay unfamiliar with your magick, the worse it will become.”
Got to say, I wasn’t expecting that. It was widely better than hearing people were still out to kill me, but only marginally. At least, I think I finally figured out how to shut my glow off on my own. I totally had this control thing in the bag.
“Well, as you can see, I no longer resemble a party favor, so I think it’s safe to say I’m now familiar.” I even gave a little spin to show that not a single glimmer was hiding.
Ezra’s scoff made the urge to punch him return with a vengeance, but once again, Eryn saved his pretty face from my violent tendencies.
