“Nope, you look amazing. I wouldn’t change anything.However…” she pauses, “there’s a small, itty-bitty, teensy-weensy, little change to the evening.”
“I’m listening?” Facing her, I prepare for the worst.
“Ethan demands he escort us to the Awakening. I’ve already messaged him so he should be down there waiting–and you can’t get mad at me–nor back out or try to pick a fight with him.” Angie rushes, speeding through her entire spill without taking a breath between words.
Okay I lied. I was not prepared at all.The worst my ass.
“You’re aware he wants to kill me, right? Like actively trying to kill me. Why can’t he meet us there?”
“He doesn’t want tokillyou,” she says, her eyes sticking to mine. “Okay, maybe a little, but he won’t. Ethan swears he’ll be on his best behavior tonight.”
“Sounds promising.”
“See, you get it,” she grins, and I release a huff of annoyance. It isn’t like I have a choice in the matter, might as well get it over with.
“Is there anything more I should know before we leave?”
“Oh yeah, what to expect during the Awakening.” She places a gentle finger beneath her chin, and my arms fold. “You and the others will meet above the Temple of Absolute and be tested for your magic’s order and House. Don’t worry, the temple is underground.” She catches my concerned expression. “It’s painless, but everyone here will be in attendance, witnessing who has what magic, and how many orders are amongst those who haven’t Awakened them yet.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope.” Her grin isn’t comforting. Angie checks her phone, and I catch Ethan’s face linked with a few hurrying messages. I give myself one last mirror check and exit my bathroom. “Where are you going?”
“Downstairs to face the impatient asshole.” Those last few words are spoken for my ears.
She peers down at my feet, then back up before responding. “I suggest you come stand beside me if you’d like to keep looking your best.”
Now thinking about it, she is right; traversing those stairs in heels won’t end well. Point made, and with that, a white sigil appears beneath us. Her hand lands on my shoulder, and we transport into the cool, crisp air outside.
“Shit, it’s cold.” Facing the building, I contemplate changing. Not even a full five seconds have passed and I’m regretting leaving my room.
“Calor,” Angie recites, flicking her wrist, and a blanket of warmth incases me in a discrete cocoon.
Mouthing, “thank you,” I hear footsteps approach from behind, and we both rotate.
My softened gaze meets Ethan’s hardened stare almost instantly, and the breath in my lungs turns into a veil of mist. He is almost unrecognizable, donning a suit, which fits every inch of him with precision, matching us in all-black with a lighter shade button-down underneath.
His hair resembles a Viking style. Both sides of his head have a single braid, knitted tight, and going back, with the top forming a larger braid, also pulling back and tying the two sides into it.
My lips narrowly part, gazing at the moon’s tint streaming over his defining cheekbones and toned ‘V’ jawline. Hints of warm blue speckle over his monolids, contrasting with his eyes. A sea of fire and gold cooled by the moon’s touch. Dangerous…Alarming…Magnetic…Nefarious.
This is not the fay hell bent on ending my life, or at least he is not appearing to be so.
“Took you long enough,” Angie’s voice slices at the stale tension. Yet, Ethan remains motionless, withholding all acknowledgement of her speaking and forcing an uncomfortable heat to stir within my palms. “Uhh, do you two need a moment alone?” She peers over to me.
“What? N-No,” I stutter, and on cue, Ethan clears his throat.
“I would love nothing more than having a moment alone withher.” His tone is sharp. Piercing. Deadly. A threat or promise? The gleam of his eyes warns me to run, but his words keep me still.
A sinister smirk eats at his lips, and whatever he is thinking can’t be good. “But we’ve wasted enough time, despite some considering me an impatient asshole.” Ethan maneuvers past, relinquishing a growl meant for my ears, and memories loiter from the night he appeared in my room.Being alone with him may very well be my last day living. “Let’s go. You shouldn’t be the last to arrive,” he demands.
“Right.”
My head lowers, unsure of what transpired, but this heat around my palms is now spreading throughout my body, no longer requiring the incantation Angie placed over me.
Seeing him has burned an image into my mind, and I’m not sure why I’m finding my potential killer to be attractive.Stop, he’s Angie’s man. What is wrong with you?
I move in haste to walk beside her. “Hey, I’m not sure what happened back there, but I’m sorry,” I voice low in her ear. “I didn’t mean to upset you or create a false illusion of me coming on to him. I’d never crossthatline with my friends. Going after their man. Plus, the whole, he wants me dead, and I hate him, thing.” Shame makes it hard to look at her.
