There’s an awestruck moment where I’m just staring up at the alluring mage.
“Will you be here long?” I suddenly want to cling on to her. She’s everything I pretend to be: confident, assured, strong.
A fucking badass.
Her shining eyes look to me, searching my face intently. “Only for a little while. Just long enough to regain my strength.”
My heart sinks at that. She’s inspiring. I’d love to learn anything she’d be willing to teach me.
“You should go in before you catch your death out here.” The fine robe sways around her legs as she pulls it tighter around herself.
She’s right. I should go in.
And yet, I can’t bring myself to leave just yet.
A curious smile pulls at her lips, and she leans closer as if she might tell me a vital secret that I’ll just absolutely die if I don’t hear.
The door pulls open behind me with a startling cry of the hinges. My eyes meet a fiery crimson gaze.
“Who are you talking to, Arrie?”
My lips part to reply but when I look up, she’s gone. She vanished. Just as I always did.
Only the dark night and cold winds surround me.
She really does like her privacy it seems.
And so, I’ll respect that for my new friend.
“No one,” I whisper.
Nine
Practice Makes … Uncomfortable Sexual Situations
“You’re a reptile.You’re basically nothing more than an overgrown, flying serpent.” Sinister sits on the couch, side by side arguing first thing in the morning with Rime.
Some people drink coffee, some people enjoy a nice run. Sinister, Sinister likes to engage Rime to the point of arguing. Every. Single. Day.
“I’m a forty-foot, ice spewing, telepathic serpent, really?”
“Not all dragons have those abilities. Just like not all snakes can spew venom. Isn’t that right, Chaos.”
Chaos: his acidic venom spewing friend. Nice rebuttal, Sin.
“Throw the dog a bone, let it go,” Chaos calls out to Rime from his spot at my side in the kitchen.
Rime looks back at his friend with a small knowing smirk tilting his lips. I think he only shuts up because of the dog comment, but itdoesshut them up.
“Will you practice with me today?” I look to Chaos sitting next to me at the kitchen table.
“Mmm that sounds fun, but I’m going into the village today with my mom.”
I bite my lip as I think. I could practice my magic alone, but it’s easier when someone provokes it. After talking with Ellise last night I want to practice. I want to grow stronger. I won’t ever be a victim again, and the best thing to do to ensure that is to cultivate my powers.
“I’ll help you.” Kain leans his shoulder against the wall as he keeps his gaze focused on me. I shift in my chair just from his heavy attention.
I don’t know why he does that to me, makes my body react without lifting a finger. The thought of his hands on my body is all I can think about, and it takes me a moment too long to finally nod to him.
