The unknown is unnerving. They have all the power, and I’m simply following along. And that’s not who I am. A flicker of panic creeps up my spine. Koen can probably sense it because he glances at me with a raised eyebrow.
My fingers twitch, itching to do something. Anything.I should leave.I should’ve walked away the second I realized they were playing with me. Something about their offer keeps pulling me back, though.
I’m already so sick of my life, and there is no reality where this doesn’t end with it becoming even worse. That’s the only possible kind of change.
What if…
Koen pushes open a set of extra-wide double doors, and I’m hit by the sheer size of the room we’ve stepped into. It’s huge, similar to that of a theater, with rows of seating fanning out around a massive stage illuminated in the center, casting everything else in shadow. And standing on that stage, grinning like a dork, is Levi.
“Well, look who finally showed up,” he calls out, jumping down from the stage and walking toward me. His outfit rivals mine for glitter. His arms spread wide, and before I can even think to dodge, he pulls me into a hug, squeezing me into him and kissing my cheek. “I’m so excited to see you, Little Bird.” I frown as I try to pull back, but Levi lingers for a second longer than I’m comfortable with. When he steps back, that mischievous grin is still plastered on his face as he looks me up and down from my jeans shorts to my cami. “You’re even more glittery and beautiful in daylight.”
I ignore his compliment and the fact that the lights from the stage are everything but daylight as I cross my arms. “So, are either of you going to tell me what’s going on, or are we going to play pretend all day?”
Koen takes his place beside Levi and mirrors me, crossing his arms as he leans against the stage. “We’re going to see what you can do. Once we figure out whether you’re capable of doing what we need, we’ll tell you more.”
“That’s… vague. And way too fucking ominous for my taste.” Reaching into my bag, I pull out Koen’s watch, tossing it to him with more force than necessary. He catches it easily, his eyes narrowing as our gazes lock, and he slips it on. “I’m not doing this if you’re going to keep being cryptic. You want my help? Fine. But this isn’t one of your damn shows. I’d rather have you call the police if you’re not going to be straight with me.”
They’re never going to be, and I’m a damn fool for standing here.
This isn’t a game to me, no matter how much they think it is. I’m not one of their props, and I refuse to let them use me like one.
In answer to my declaration, Levi grins even harder, and that’s the last fucking straw.
Fuck them, and fuck the consequences.
“You know what? Go ahead. Call them.” I turn sharply, mentally mapping out an escape route from this madness. “You know where I work if you want to send them my way.”
Before I can take more than a step, Koen’s command cuts through the air.
“Stop.”
My body obeys, freezing midstep.
Motherfucker.
I clench my fists, my teeth grinding in frustration. Whirling back around, I shoot daggers at him with my eyes. “What the hell? Do you have some compulsion on me again?”
His mouth softens into a smile, infuriatingly calm. He shakes his head. “I don’t.”
“Bullshit.” I take a step toward him, my pulse hammering in my chest. “I didn’t want to stop.”
“Maybe there’s still some lingering from yesterday. Who knows? Or maybe you like being told what to do.” Koen smirks. It’s the kind that makes me want to slap it right off his face.
Levi casually drapes an arm over my shoulder. “C’mon, Glitter, don’t be mad. A little mystery never hurt anyone.”
Koen steps closer, drawing my focus back to him. “What if I told you I could teach you how to make sure no one ever controls you again?” he asks, smooth as velvet. “How you could decide whether you want to be influenced or not. How you could influence others.”
His words hang in the air, charged with something more than a simple offer.
Power.
I hate that I’m intrigued at all, but there it is, a flicker of curiosity, mostly because I hate that he, or anybody, can control me so easily. “And what if I do?” I ask, trying to keep suspicion laced through every word, even though my resolve is faltering.
Koen steps even closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Show me yours, and I’ll show you mine.”
I study Koen and feel Levi’s gaze flicking between us, excitement practically radiating off him, but I ignore it. My focus is on the man in front of me, with his promises and cryptic words. I don’t trust him—either of them, really—but there’s something in the way he talks that makes me hesitate.
Levi leans in, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Come on, it won’t hurt to try. Worst case, you’ll get a free magic lesson.”
