Rhazan steps in front of me and gives the monster a bout of fire. It runs, antennae singed and face blackened, then jumps through the rip in space. The portals snap shut with an almost comicalplinkand then the bar is empty—save for us and a few overturned bar stools.
Rhazan turns to me, his gaze roving over my body. “Where did you learn to fight like that?”
“My parents owned a wuguan—a martial arts studio,” I say with a shrug, fighting off the emotion trying to worm its way into my voice. “I was sort of working my way up to help them run it one day.”
“Youwere…what happened?”
I harden myself, remembering that this pain is old and it can’t hurt me right now.
“Same thing that always happens when you dream too big. Someone comes and takes a shit on all of it.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Someone defecated in your parents’ studio?”
“Not literally,” I say with a laugh that helps break up the tension.
He takes a breath, a curious expression crinkling his brow, but then I see him decide against whatever he was going to say. He blows the breath out in a sigh and looks around the room.
“The wards broke,” he murmurs, then walks toward the bar to right a chair.
“I guess we better firm them up.”
He bobs his head with an affirmative grunt as he inspects the glassy wall of the bar. “Skreet is not a forgiving creature. It will likely seek revenge, or at the very least, hold a grudge.”
“Oh, great, so we’ll meet again,” I grumble as I shuffle my feet.
Despite my sarcasm, I want to stay longer, explore more, talk to him…but I’m unsure what else to say that’ll make him want me here. I’m not sure why I want him to want me here. He’s been a huge asshole.
“Come back tomorrow night,” he says, and my stomach gets all fluttery.
I cross my arms and squish the feeling. “I can’t. I’m busy.”
“With?”
“I’m getting the café ready for business. If it’s not opened in a month, we’ll be out of money.”
“Fine. Two nights from now. We can’t delay any longer than that without riskingbothof our businesses.”
“Fine.” I huff, then the butterflies return. “You need my help?”
He scowls at me over his shoulder. “I needmymagic that’s inyourastral body.”
I tut, lifting my chin. “This is what you get for putting brands on people that didn’t ask for them.”
“I was trying to protect you,” he says, standing to face me.
“Which I obviously don’t need,” I say, twirling the broom handle around my hand and across my forearms in a showy display.
He grumbles something that’s definitely a different language as smoke curls from his nostrils. I smirk, knowing I’ve won again.
Round three, me.
He steps closer, his skin radiating heat and frustration. “You may have fought off two skreet drones, but you would quiver at the sight of an overlord, let alone the Hive Mind itself. And if you’re as careless with your sweets when the shop opens, it won’t be long before you’re paid a visit.”
He’s towering over me now and I feel like maybe I need to rescind that round point.
“Jiahui,” he says, my name a slow-burning fire that crackles in the back of his throat. It sends a shiver down my spine and makes my nipples peak.
I swallow hard. “Yes?”
