We weren’t in my apartment anymore. We weren’t even in my neighborhood. As I blinked, adapting to the light, what I saw looked more like… a college campus. Not that I’d been on many. A few years back I’d helped a girl from the bar move up to Harvard. This place had a similar feel, with pristine care taken on the landscaping and buildings which gave a sense of age and gravitas. Only… these buildings were far more beautiful.
I stood on a stone paved concourse between two green-roofed buildings with sweeping archways and graceful curves. The stone walls looked more like they’d been grown than assembled.
“This way,” Svokol barked, heading for the larger of the two structures.
The muscular woman grabbed one of my arms as she passed, dragging me along with her.
“Hey wait, where…?” My aching body could barely move. Every hurried step caused sharp spikes of pain. “Fuck, ahh! Stop it! I can’t go that fast,” I hissed at her.
“Pathetic,” she spat, releasing me.
I swayed, body too rebellious to stand. Then a hot body slid up behind mine, supporting me. Goth-boy’s hand slid into mine. Another jolt of electricity snapped between us and sung through me, less painful this time, more… soothing.
That was odd, right?
Then the pretty Goth lifted me with ease, cradling me in his arms.
“Better?” he asked, voice soft.
“Yes,” I breathed.Much better.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice hitching as he gazed at me. The dark sable of his eyes nearly vanished as they dilated, taking me in. I hadn’t noticed it before, but he had a tattoo on his neck, a small dagger, pointing down with a drop of blood of the end, all in black. This close I also noticed the fresh scar on his jaw, tracing back to tug on his earlobe. Somehow both of those things only served to make him even more mouth-wateringly beautiful to me.
His nostrils flared and he gave a heavy sigh.
I couldn’t help it, I sniffed him too. He smelled of strawberries and whipped cream. Wow. Drool much?
“Why do you smell so good?” I asked as he carried me. Also, “Why do I feel so comfortable with you, even though I don’t even know you?” And given the hunger in his eyes, I was also curious, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Hush,” he whispered. “Not now.”
I watched his lips move as he spoke. Wouldn’t it be greatto kiss those lips, to suck on his bottom lip and savor his strawberries-and-cream flavor? Hmmm, yes please!
No, wait… Kissing him was too much, wasn’t it? Maybe I’d just lick his jawline…?
What the hell was wrong with me? Had someone slipped me some drugs? I felt like I was tripping hard.
He deftly cradled me as he jogged up a few stairs, then we entered the building. Light filtered down from many skylights as we passed through an open area, then wide halls.
I should have been completely freaked out, but for some reason, being close to this man made all this strangeness a little more bearable.
“In here,” Svokol grumbled, entering a room.
I tore my eyes off the beautiful Goth and glanced at the room. It wasn’t large, painted a calming green, with a small table. On the table was a silvery ball on a stand and behind it was a man with green eyes and a severe look. It was his ears that truly caught my attention though, tall and pointed, poking up through his long straight blond hair.
“Set her down,” Svokol demanded.
“Sorry,” the Goth whispered. Then with a barely-there breath added. “My name is Myel.”
Myel.
He set me down gently and stepped back. But as soon as he released me, the comforting haze vanished. Everything was cold and hard and painful once more.
“What the—?” I turned to the one in charge, Svokol. “Where are we? What’s happening?”
He glared at me. “Just put your hands on this.” He pointed to the silver sphere.
Was this the test he’d mentioned?
