?I stopped just past him. His body ridged and his tone hard. “You didn’t have a problem with Varian.”
?“Varian is different.”
?My soul tugs with a sharp pinch and I finally – internally – acknowledge the ties within me. Five strings knotted at the very center of my being and extending into the ether.
?I didn’t technically lie to Jullia in the shower.Technically, fate has not snapped into place between me and a certain angel. The reason I’m always catching his eye – I’m daring fate. Hopefully reverse psychology-ing it too so fate never snaps into place between us. I’ve got enough to worry about with the four known ones.
?Callahan shifts and his body heat cascades over me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
?I curl my hands into fists to keep from doing something I may or may not regret. Probably the latter, but that damn tug within makes me not want to hurt him more than he already is.
?I start walking instead of answering. Because the answer would be that I do not owe him one.
?“Mavyn. . .”
?“We’re not a couple,” I snap, not brave enough to look at him so I keep my eyes on the ground as I go down the stairs. Ricka is back at her desk with her tablet chuckling at something. She salutes me without looking at me and I practically run out the door, not bothering to salute back.
?So caught up in my head and trying to get away from Callahan that I run directly into sunlight.
?Warm rays hit my face and for that split moment it doesn’t burn. Then I’m jerked back into the building and my head is smushed against cedar and embers.
?“What the fuck, Mavyn,” he breathes into my hair. His arms wrapped around my back and his heart pounding against my head. “It’s fine. I promise, it’s fine, I don’t care just don’t go running to your death.”
?My soul pulls taunt towards his as his arms tighten against me. His blood rushing with fear, not that anything happened to me. It only barely started to burn when he pulled me back. But his arms. . .
?Warmth.
?Too soon, I think – but then I correct that thought as he pulls back and says something about going to grab my umbrella. Ricka had stood up from her desk and rounded the thing, now leaning against it and peering at me.
?I turn away from her and face the door as I pull out my mp3 player and unwind the wire. Not wanting to acknowledge anyone else today. I put the ear buds into my ears and press play without looking at what song starts playing. Britney Spears’Til It’s Gonestarts playing and for some reason every time I listen to it I feel like I should be twisting and turning – flying – through the air with either wings or on the back of a dragon. I’d always been jealous of shifters.
?There’s magic in music. Even silly little pop songs from the early two thousands and twenty tens.
?I stay perfectly still as I listen for a few moments. I don’t feel like using my umbrella today, so with a calm filling my mind from the music I twist that second key in its door.
?It really is like a switch in my brain and with my emotions. Music for me has always felt different. It can change my mood in an instant no matter the circumstance.
?Crackling power floods over my bones as the skies darken. It feels good. I can understand dare devils and adrenaline junkies perfectly, simply because of this. It’s been so long since I’ve simplyfeltmy magic. Since I’ve melted into the rhythm and dance of it.
?Uncontrollable.
?But how can you control something that is meant to be free?
?I feel Callahan before I see him. Plucking one of my earbuds out, I turn my head towards him and for a split moment I think about it.
?Love.
?Peace.
?A future.
?Why did fate have to play a part in any of this?
?He sets my umbrella against the wall and smiles softly at me. “Are you ready?”
?It’s not fair. Especially not to him. He deserves so much better than me. When I destroy my soul and we’re no longer connected he’ll see it.
?He will be the perfect boyfriend. A more than worthy husband.
