It’s cruel.
It’sdistracting.
Kai finally looks my way, his gaze unreadable, cutting through the dark like a blade. The silence between us is taut. So I bite into my chocolate, pretending not to notice the way he straightens. His eyes skim across my face, pausing on my lips, and for a moment, I see it—a flicker of something darker, almost…predatory.
Time seems to stop. Or maybe it just slows, warped by the weight of his stare.
I forget to breathe.
Then the sharpness of the candy hits me all at once, too rich. I cough, choking on the sweetness as my taste buds revolt. My eyes sting with tears, and I fumble for my water, desperate to wash it down and reclaim some dignity.
Smooth.
Absolutely graceful.
Someone, bury me,please.
The shift in the light is subtle, but it’s enough to feel his presence hovercloser. Kai’s scent hits me like a wave, wrapping me in cedarwood and mint. A blend that reminds me of the raw exhilaration from the bike ride. The wind, the motion, thefreedom, but there’s something new now. A faint undercurrent I hadn’t noticed before, something that feels both alluring and dangerous.
It tugs at some hidden string deep inside me. I’m barely able to process it, my thoughts scattering when his right hand, inked with a wolf tattoo, lifts toward my face. His thumb brushes softly over the corner of my lips, the touch soft, delicate. Without breaking eye contact, he draws his thumb to his own mouth, sucking,slowly, savouring the taste.
I freeze, heart wild, feeling a rush of heat pool in my core.
“You could at least have gotten me one,” Kai says with a raspy drawl, an eyebrow arched in a teasing challenge. I clear my throat, suddenly feeling jittery, and awkwardly hand him the remainder of my chocolate. As he takes it, our fingers brush briefly, and for some inexplicable reason, the touch sends an odd, electricsparkup my arm. I quickly pull back my hand, goosebumps trailing on my skin.
“Here,” his voice is a little quieter now as he passes me a crystal flask filled with a golden amber liquid. “Drink this.”
A frown creeps across my face, “What is it?”
“The elixir. It allows humans to pass through the veil. You have thesight, but that doesn’t mean you belong in Elgar.”
Pursing my lips, “Okay… But isn’t my father from there?” As soon as I say the words, I freeze. He’s not my dad, not in that sense anyway. And suddenly, the idea of drinking whatever’s in that flask doesn’t seem so absurd.
“True,” he admits, clueless about my dilemma. “But it’s better to be safe than sorry. Once we’re at the Institute, you’ll be tested. Then, we’ll know for sure if you’re Elgarian.” Kai takes his time explaining it to me, which is surprising given his irritation with my questioning earlier. “So, you never learned about the veil or anything related toKvirr?” He adds a hint of curiosity hooked to his words.
My mind flashes back to my father, well, to Theo, telling me not to trust anyone. The urge to stay guarded flares up, and I play it safe, shaking my head.
“I imagine… if we apply logic,” I say, fumbling for words, “the veil is just what separates your world from mine. And it’s called that because... It’s the same universe, just... that we can’t see it?” I am rambling, but there’s a flicker of approval in his smirk.
“I’m impressed, Princess. You’re not too far from it.”
“Then by all means, enlighten me,” I add. “You clearly enjoy the sound of your own voice, shame it rarely says anything useful. Or intelligent. Or necessary.”
His full smile finally breaks through, andGod, it’s blinding. A beacon slicing clean through the night. The kind of smile that could make you forget where you are, who you are, and what you were even trying to resist. Something twistsdeepin my chest, heat curling low, and I fight it with everything I’ve got.
No, no more boys.
But then Ireallylook at him, and something catches in my breath. His canines are longer than they should be, sharper,toosharp, inhuman. Then he speaks, smooth and casual, as if I imagined the whole thing.
“Didn’t know you had such a vile mouth, Princess,” he drawls, amused. The words skim over my skin, a ghost of a touch. A shiver slips down my spine before I can stop it. My face burns, traitorous, obvious.
“Oh, don’t be a baby now,” I retort, raising an eyebrow. “You’re a big boy, I’m sure you’ve heard worse.” I shoot him a wink, trying to cover the way his words left me.
He hums in response.
“There are many portals,” Kai begins. "However, only those that have been opened are concealed by a veil. Only those with the sight can perceive them, but to unlock them, you must be from there.” He pauses, getting onto the bike. “Anyway, I don't even know why I'm bothering explaining all this. You'll either learn it at the Institute, or you won't need to know anything since you'll be back to yourperfectlittle life.” With that, he hands me the helmet, his expression unreadable. I take it slowly, meeting his gaze without flinching.
“Perfect?” I scoff, a bitter laugh slipping out. “That’s rich, coming from a guy hiding behind cryptic nonsense and a leather jacket.” I meet his gaze, unflinching, all the false confidence gone. I then flash him a smile, sweet and sharp. “Now, if you're done being a dick, maybe we can get back to the part where you're actually helpful.” Kai stands arms crossed, eyes scanning. The silence between us stretches until it starts to sting.
