“Can you shut up for half a fucking moment?” I snap. 306 slams his lips shut and finally offers me some silence. My head has been reeling for what seems like hours, and truthfully, I don’t care about anything that comes out of his mouth. Eachword he spews acts as a catalyst to an annoying, persistent throb against my temples that occasionally gets so intense it feels like a knife being thrust through my skull.
Although the pain can be agonizing, I keep it to myself. Strangely, it offers me clarity, and that’s something I desperately need. To my displeasure, they’ve been more frequent, more consistent over the last few days, and I’ve noted that, whenever they occur, 306 gets a bit cagey. His muscles stiffen just a hair, his breathing stops for a moment too long, and his body language shifts to one of unease.
The longer this mission takes, the urge becomes almost insufferable. The urge for what, I have no clue, but it’s there and fucking hungry. Going back empty-handed isn’t an option. Granted, it was never an option, but as 306 continues to talk about absolutely nothing of importance, I’m thinking it wouldn’t be too bad if I dropped some of the dead weight. We’ve already lost one soldier. What’s one more?
“I think we should set up camp for the night,” 306 suggests, and I roll my eyes at his laziness. I’m really starting to think the commander didn’t give me his best for this mission, and if he did, that’s pretty pathetic.
“The sun didn’t set that long ago. We can still cover a decent amount of ground.” Even as I say it, it sounds ridiculous. Surely there should be an easier way to travel.
“Seems unfair the prisoner has a dragon at her disposal. She could be across the realm by now, for all we know,” I state, trying to nonchalantly think out loud.
“Lucky bitch. I would kill to be off my feet.” He’s apparently forgetting I had to carry his ass for five miles.
“Can you pick up the pace? Or do you have any other suggestions that would help us get where we need to go faster?” I’m hoping to appeal to his weak side, disoriented enough that he might just slip up.
“Of course,” he says, like I’m an idiot. “The most obvious answer would be portals, but we’re not cleared to do that. And on the rare off-chance that someone has w—” He catches himself, stopping mid-sentence, and halts his next step.
But I hang on every single word.
Portals. I internally berate myself for not thinking of that,rememberingthat. A sharp pain, more brutal than all the ones before, takes purchase against my temple. “Fuck,” I spit out, falling to my knees.
The portal forms silently behind her as she stands in the street of my town. Ripped clothes, hair skewed, and completely unbothered by crusty blood covering her skin. Despite all of it, she’s still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
“Where am I staying?” she asks, the events of the day finally taking their toll. I’m shocked she didn’t assume it would be with me, and quite frankly, it’s hilarious she thinks there’s any other option.
“With me.” My tone is definite, which should leave no room for discussion. But it’s never that simple—not when it comes to her.
“I don’t think so.” The quirk of her eyebrow causes annoyance to bubble in my stomach. “I’d rather take my chances with Benny and Donni.”
Anger pulses beneath my skin, traveling through my veins at a blazing rate. The sudden change in mood makes it a little more difficult to keep the inky tendrils from licking up the distance between us. “That won’t be happening.” I can see her wheels turning, hear the profanities she wishes to hurl my way. Just when I think that’s the end of it—how naive of me to think this would be anything less than excruciating—she folds her arms across her chest.
“I’m not staying with you.”
Fists clenching at my sides, I attempt to keep my cool, especially with the growing crowd around us. I keep my voicelow, narrowing my eyes at her as I grit out, “Yes, you are.” Oh the way she pushes me—challenges me. Unfortunately for her, I’m not one to back down.
The portal grows a bit bigger, wind swirling until it’s just big enough. I ignore the zap that sparks as my fingers press on her shoulder, and I relish in the look of shock painted on her face as I push her through to the other side.
Lazily, I follow close behind, stepping over her stunned form and keep moving deeper into the house. The portal closes instantly, snapping shut and seamlessly disappearing like it was never there. Only then does the weight of the unwanted stares and too loud whispers finally alleviate.
My eyes dart around the house with each step, ensuring nothing is out of place. It was hard giving up my life, but the decision was easy. It didn’t matter what it was. I would’ve done anything to keep that raven-haired, green-eyed princess safe.
Speaking of, I can hear her rustling around the living room, and I know it’s only a matter of time before she wanders this way. Rushing down the hall, I check to make sure the nearest door is secure.
Even now, there are still secrets better left buried.
Satisfied that she won’t be able to access the room, I silently speed through the shadows until I’m standing directly behind her, trying to see what beauty she sees through her emeralds.
“This is your home?” She sounds unconvinced.
I lean down, my lips just a hair away as my breath skates across her nape. “Obviously.” Goosebumps scatter at my voice.
“So about that shower…” I love being inside her mind, still in tune to all the thoughts she refuses to let free.
She follows me down the hallway and immediately becomes mesmerized by the wall of glass—just as I knew she would. She deserves to admire beauty, be sucked in by the place that was always meant to be her home. And oddly enough, I hate to tearher away from it, but there’s something even better waiting for her in the bedroom. Foolish of me to think that’s where we would stop next, but it’s unsurprising that she would be interested in the one room off limits, but I’ll use any excuse I can to get her wrapped up in my shadows—which is exactly what I have the pleasure of doing, because she’s stubborn, and it’s the only way I’ll be able to pry her away.
Not that I’m complaining.
Kallie, on the other hand, won’t stop thrashing, screaming, yelling as I pull her the rest of the very short distance.
