“You said it’s a spell. We must have some counter-spells for that kind of situation,” Nalaka interrupts, cutting through the silence.
Caleb, already moving toward the stairs, calls out.“If this is a Kvirr enchantment, we’ll need a specific kind of dispel. Sakura, can you get some grimoires on that type of enchantment?”
She claps her hands like a kid who has just been proposed a playdate. “I know exactly where to start!”
Another hour passes, and a step-by-step plan is pieced together. Every role mapped out, every angle covered, and we finally call it a night. As I am about to take the stairs, I spot Avilyna lingering behind, pressed against the cold wall. Eyes locked on the ink-black sky outside, the stars distant pinpricks of light. Tiny witnesses to the weight hanging on her shoulders. We might not remember exactly who we are to each other, but my body sure does. Because the moment I see her upset, words slip out.
“You wanna go for a ride?” She looks at me, hesitates for a split second, then nods.
We rollup to the closest portal, the same one we used, which feels like a lifetime ago now. Figured I’d turn it into a teaching moment and let Avilyna handle the opening.
Slicing her palm without missing a beat, speaking the magic word “Ftah,”and just like that, we’re through. I steer the bike toward the town entrance, pulling up in front of a general store.
“What are we doing here?” Vi asks, hopping off the bike, dust kicking up around her boots.
“I figured you might wanna restock on your favourite things.” She grabs my arm with an excited little jump like we just walked into a fair. Avilyna practically drags me inside. The bell over the door jingles, mixing with the smell of old wood and fresh coffee.
Next thing I know, she’s loading up a basket with everything from chocolate bars to lotions that promise to make her skin glow like a damn donut. Then, of course, Vi heads straight for the books, a kid in a candy store. She takes her sweet-ass time, flipping through every title as if she’s hunting for some secret message hidden in the pages. Tilting her head, scanning every angle of the covers, as if they’re puzzles waiting to be solved. I swear, the way she does it, you’d think she’s buying an aetherium weapon, not picking out bedtime stories. I scan the shelves and spot a book that looks familiar, tall pine trees standing proud on the cover. I grab it and hold it out.
“I think you might like this one.” Avilyna’s green eyes flicker with recognition, and a soft blush creeps up her cheeks.
She bites her lip, looking away for a beat before quietly asking, “Oh… I’ve heard of it. Have you read it?”
I flash her a slow, knowing smile. “Here and there. Maybe I should tell you some parts.” Her breath catches, and I see her swallow, hesitating, then nod. I close the distance, trapping her between me and the shelves. The space between us hums, thick, electric, heavy. I lean down to her level and drop my voice to a whisper.
“I rub my clit in soft, slow circles, and that’s where we stay for a minute. Felix pawing my tits as I play with myself, and Charles’ finger rests inside me.”
“KAI!” I burst out laughing as Avilyna’s face turns the same fiery shade as her hair.
“What?” I grin. “That’s your kind of book, you filthy girl.”
She fires back without missing a beat, “I don’t read it just for the smut, it’s about the romance, the tension, the build up.”
“Liar,” I shoot back, smirking as her eyes narrow like she’s two seconds away from throwing something at my head.
Squinting at me. “How do you even know that line? Or the character’s name?”
I shrug, cocky. “Let’s just say I had to make up for the whole electronics fiasco.” Her lips part, but before she can answer, I lean in with a smirk. “No shame in it, Princess. And hey, if you ever need a study buddy… I’m more than happy to oblige.”
Vi’s eyes flash with that fierce spark, and she crosses her arms, tilting her head just enough to give me that classic glare.“Study buddy, huh? You sure you can keep up? Because I don’t do slow learners.” Avilyna smirks, biting her lip, knowing full well she’s got the upper hand.
I step in closer, my voice dropping low. “Oh, I can show you just how fast I learn.” No teasing, no smirk, just the truth. Raw and heavy in the air between us, and we both forget to breathe for a second. Time stalls, the world narrowing down to just this moment. Then she breaks it, her voice soft.
“You should get it too, then.”
I reach past her, my arm brushing the top of her head as I grab another copy of the pine-covered book, and all the ones she’s holding.
“Deal,” I say, letting the tension slip into a grin. “Now let’s go get you a phone.”
34
Avilyna
FRAGILE GLASS
Kai doesn’t even giveme a chance to argue. He ignores every word out of my mouth, gathers my things, and strides straight to the counter. I try to protest, but he cuts me off without so much as a glance. I pick up the popular model because, unfortunately, any other layout scrambles my brain. And when I reach for my wallet, he just taps his card, then grabs the nape of my neck and steers me toward the exit as if he owns me. It should make my skin crawl.
Itshouldpiss me off.
