“Come on, Paige, let’s get out of here.” Gina acknowledges her last chance of survival. She prompts her friend to scurry, both releasing the breath they had been holding.
“If either of you utter a word about what happened here…” those stormy grays shift to mine, “the Gods themselves won’t find your bodies.”
A pair of deep inhales reflect on his threat before quickening steps race down the hall. This can’t be the same guy who saved me after the Awakening. He was kind and gentle. The fay before me sends tremors coursing between my organs, a wave of relentless fear, knowing he means every word.
We engage without speaking, only, it feels more like a mutedinterrogation, one that gives Ethan a run for his money. And I’m sad to say, at this moment, I’d gladly prefer Ethan.
My palms and back stay pressed against the wall as I try to sooth the fiery sensations tingling along my fingers.
“Do you feel you have something to prove? That being a mortal makes you less than us?” he asks, low and deep tones tangle with his natural velvet tone. The taste of his question strikes my lips, causing my tongue to chase after it.Is this the flavor of danger?“I don’t like repeating myself, Kyra. What prompted you to act so recklessly and seek your own demise?”
“I didn’t do shit. They started it by threatening Angie and me. Was I supposed to just stand there and ignore it?”
“So, you act irrationally?” He leans further down, ending whatever space remained between us.
“No…” Trying not to deter my gaze from his, I continue, “but I refuse to be bullied by her, Holland, Ethan, and…” It happens. His lips twitch, and I can’t help but peer at his smirk. Bourbon mixed with mint entwine into whatever the hellthisis.
“You’re Hasty…Overconfident…Thoughtless…” I pinch my brows together at his choice of words.Did he just call me HOT?Being a hacker helps me see through hidden messages. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. “Move into her office, now.” Yep, overthinking it. I force down another swallow, partially confused, slightly intrigued, but mostly terrified of what will happen once we are in there. Alone.
My only reaction is to blink. He insists I move, yet he continues looming with unbearable pressure, keeping me pinned against the wall, which seems more inviting than the look he gives me now.
“No, I did nothing wrong.”
“You can either go on your own accord or be placed upon my shoulders. Either way…You. Will. Move.”
Oh. My. God.
His breath enters my lungs as I gasp, the flavor coasting over my tongue and without thinking, my body betrays me…again. Even the marble wall’s frigid touch can’t reduce the heat blazing beneath myskin. Tingles rush all over as I play out the second choice in my head, and Alex remains still, waiting patiently. Even if I try relocating, he is so damn close that any slight movement will force our bodies to touch. Either way, it’s best not prolonging his order in fear of repercussions.
“I’ll need room to walk,” I say, accidentally pressing my hand against his abs on instinct. In haste, I remove it just as fast. Beneath his black workout shirt where my palm happened to graze is a well-defined six pack. And damn did I think about rubbing it.For fucks sake, can my body stop acting like a horny schoolgirl.
I rush past him, burying my intrusive thoughts, not missing that sparkling glare as our bodies share a brief touch. If mall walking was a legit sport, I would win gold at this rate. Once inside her office, shutting the door crosses my mind, but soon after, Alex breaches the entrance, sealing our fate.
His shirt is blue. Wasn’t it black a minute ago?The muscles in his arms and back flex from pushing the doors closed. He sighs, rotating and facing me fully. His midnight hair is tinted a dark gray beneath Rebecca’s office light.
“Under any other circumstance, you’d be punished for your actions,” he chastises, stepping closer to my position, centered in the room.Punished?“What were you thinking, getting into a fight with two fays?” It’s hard enough keeping this fearless persona, let alone not thinking of what he means by being punished, so my stare lands upon the floor. “I asked you a question. In return, I need an answer with words, Kyra.”
“Don’t talk to me as if I’m a child.” My words are louder than they need to be in this space, and whatever emotions thrive beneath my anger, sink instantly.
“This will be the one and only time I correct you. I’ll never raise my voice at you, in return, I demand the same. Is that understood?” After another eye roll, I accept his terms. “Again, what were you thinking, taking on two fays alone, and without magic?” Alex’s arms fold, making the fabric tighten against his muscles.
“It–” His brow raises, and I readjust my tone. “It’s not like I came looking for a fight. Rebecca sent a note summoning me here.” Flexing, I shake the warmth from my hands. “Coincidently while waiting, I overheard the two of them colluding in the hallway, so I confronted them.” I try not to fidget. He makes me nervous, or antsy, or–
“About what?” Noticing his shadow’s approach, my head lifts.
“Huh?” I mumble.
“You stated they were colluding. About what?”
“It’s not important anymore.”
“Interesting. Yet that still doesn’t explain fighting without magic. You could have been…killed,” he reminds me, as if he cares.
“Would that have been a bad thing?” I step into his space with balled fists. “Since my arrival, all I’ve met are fays wanting me dead. Minus one or two.” I combat the pressure building around my eyes as I think of those aching for my demise. “So don’t pretend like you care if I live or die when you don’t even know me.” And once more, Alex raises his brow. “Sorry for yelling.”
He watches me, peering into my soul like he is searching for an answer.
“Am I factored in that one or two?”
