“You’re wasting time. Change or attack.”
She huffs, and her frustration blends with anxiety. Not knowing how to articulate the words, she shouts, “Look away! I don’t want you seeing my…seeing anything in case I mess up.”
“I’ve viewed what you have to offer, and it’s nothing I’m interested in. Get on with it.”
Shutting her eyes, she mutters, “I can’t stand you.” She turns with her back facing me and creates a flash of red light that vanishes just as fast as it appears. Not only did she fail the attempt, but by the Gods what is she wearing?
My brows rise in confusion, and the sting over my gums returns. That inner beast rattles its chains to escape, and I press down on its hunger.No.Here she stands in only a black thong, matching socks, and a workout jacket that stops right above her panty line, framing the divots of her back dimples.
“Look away!” she screams, placing a hand behind her back with an attempt of covering up. Not helping the situation. My gaze travels from her tightly knitted plaits, carving a line down her jacket, to the bare skin of her…I divert. Yet the image continues burning within my mind. “This is why I didn’t want youin here, and you better not be staring at my ass, Ethan!” I don’t bother dignifying that with a response.
Because I’m not.
Another flash of red appears, blanketing her body, and I peek over. Now she wears a pair of thin workout tights, a sports bra, and no shoes. “This is getting ridiculous.” My steps echo as I approach. “Turn around.” But as always, Kyra defies me, testing my patience, and I’m close to reminding her that I have none. My jaw clenches and throat vibrates on the next word. “Turn.”
Reluctantly, she does, slowly, until facing me while covering the top part of her breasts, ensuring my reddish gold hues remain on her frown.
“What?” she bites.
“Focus. Whatever you’re thinking about isn’t working. Calm your mind and center on what you’re trying to create. Simple. I’ve gone over every scroll predating the first of our kind and discovered a fay with similar abilities to yours, though not the same. It takes more than just visualizing your desires, you need to feel it. Now, do it again. You won’t get another chance.” I back away.
Her hands fall into firm fists by her sides, and she glares as I drink her in with a sluggish swallow. The peak of her breasts vibrate from her heart’s sudden spike.Good, get angry.Kyra turns, and a few seconds after, that red flare shrouds her body then vanishes.
About time she got it right.Against my will, I relish in this small victory, knowing she will be worth the kill and not a weakling fay.
“Yes!” she bellows, peering down at the full workout attire now correctly in place.
Kyra adjusts her position, facing me, and I quickly strike a blow to her stomach, using the ball of my heel. She meets the ground with a wheezing cough, gasping, and curls into a ball. “Get. Up.”
“W–Wh…What” *pant*“The…F–Fuck!”
My assumptions may have been in haste. She indeed is weak. “Language, now get up.” I stand inches from her head. She takes a couple breaths, trying to regain her bearings. “We don’t have timefor you to take breaks. If you’re going to be weak, be that elsewhere.”
She coughs, “F–Fuck you. That was a cheap shot, and you know it.”
“Like I said, we’re starting after that last attempt. It’s not my problem you forgot. And before you try it, no, you cannot forfeit the match. We’re fighting whether you like it or not.” Kyra stumbles upon her feet, eyes glistening with pain and vexation, and I stretch my arms open as an invitation. “Come at me with everything you have.”
“Fine.” Her tone becomes primal.
She rushes me with lackluster speed, swinging for my head, and I duck under the attack. Using her momentum, I grab the back of Kyra’s neck and arm, pressing her body firmly against my barrier and hold her in place. “Pathetic. Try again.”
Her body worms to break free, rubbing against my own, and every soft and plump section of her body sends my aura into a chaotic rotation. Releasing my grasp and creating space, she lunges again, another strike aimed at my head. I catch her hand, yanking her towards me, and wrap my other arm around her waist.
“Let. Me. Go,” she growls.
“Weak,” I whisper, “not nearly enough to keep me from ending you, and I loathe easy prey.” Constricting her tightly, I relinquish a groan as Kyra’s fragrance engulfs my senses, and my mind blanks. Citrus mixed with floral and blended with a hint of bewitching. My thoughts remove me from the now, and I shove her away.
But she recovers swiftly. Her strike catches the bridge of my nose and blurs my vision. Pain dissipates the image of a false reality I conjured.
“You don’t get to touch me!” Kyra snarls, hiding her bruised knuckles, and a smile creeps over my face. This is the first time she has been close enough to touch me. Finally, the idea of killing Kyra seems…exciting.
“Good. Now do it again.”
Time ticks on, and with each passing minute, she grows more tiresome. Arduous, failed attempts of using her magic have left her movements sluggish and heavy. She is exasperated and barely able to stand during the last five minutes, but I don’t let up. Grabbing her arms, I kick both legs out from under her, and we plummet to the floor as she shrieks from the sudden movement.
Kneeling between her legs with my full weight bearing down, I hear her exhale through blood-stained lips. That forbidden citrus, intertwined with the scent of copper, lingers on my tongue, and I swallow thickly, savoring her defeat.She jerks against the bonds of our clasped fists positioned over her head, and I lean into her ear.
“I expected more from someone who wields the magic you do.” Repositioning, I now peer into her doe-ish hazel eyes. “You don’t deserve to be here,” I growl, watching them dart between mine. She thrusts with an offensive movement, and my grip tightens. “This would be an opportune juncture to end you. No official challenge required.” Tears swell as she watches me with caution, searching for a lie.
