Page 21 of Hero of Havoc

This was a mistake.

Archer is a foot in front of the others, chest heaving as his fingers flex at his sides. He’s dressed in black pants and a matching black shirt, with the top two buttons undone. Teddy's next in line behind him, blonde hair ruffled, as if he’s spent an eternity raking his fingers through it. He’s the complete opposite of Archer, casual and relaxed in comparison to the Fire Protector’s polished look, opting for a pair of board shorts and a plain white t-shirt. The look is completed by the smile on his face. It’s as casual as his vibe, but it's Baron who is giving off the most intense energy.

His hands are clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed, and his shoulders rise and fall slowly as he sets all his focus on me. He looks ready for destruction in a pair of combat pants and a fitted black t-shirt, which somehow make him look even more intimidating than usual.

Intimidatingly hot.

Dammit.

The one thing that hangs among each of them is the same essence of guilt.

It resonates from one to another, bouncing around the space as the closet door opens and Sax re-enters the room, thankfully now wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

The awkward silence stretches for a moment before Teddy clears his throat.

“What made you change your mind?” he blurts, stepping farther into the room, bypassing Archer as Baron inches in closer to kick the door shut behind him.

“Sax’s dick,” I utter, making Archer's head snap back in surprise.

“What?” Teddy splutters, and Sax chuckles under his breath.

“Odesa, Francesca, and Bonnie were giving her shit. I interjected,” he explains, and Teddy grimaces, his gaze bouncing between mine and Sax’s for a moment before he speaks.

“And she didn't set you on fire? That feels like progress,” he states, nodding toward me, and I scoff.

“There's still time,” I grumble, lips pursed with agitation.

“And we’d still deserve it,” Baron admits, rendering me speechless as I gnaw on my bottom lip.

The awkwardness spreads through the room once again as everyone nervously inches closer, but nobody takes the lead, like the moment is fragile and no one wants to unsettle it.

I startle again as a blast of color darts through the door.

Green.

Blue.

Red.

I gape in disbelief.

The flash of red is not the one I'm familiar with, as three male sprites come into view, stopping in a line before me as they gape just as wide as me.

“I told you she was here,” Clay states, turning a withering look in Sax's direction. “You better not fuck this up,” he snaps, and Teddy drags a hand down his face.

“What are you even doing here?” he mumbles, and Crush zips through the air, stopping a millimeter before the tip of Teddy's nose.

“Ember wants nothing to do with us,” the blue sprite hisses, anger rippling through the room.

“Okay,” Teddy says slowly, which only seems to irritate Crush more.

“Because of you,” he retorts, and Teddy exhales, defeated.

“I’m—”

“Don't apologize to me,” Crush interjects. “Apologize to her,” he snaps, his eyes finding mine across the room.

Teddy presses his fingers into his temples as he exhales. “That's what I was trying to do before you interrupted,” he barks back, and Crush’s mouth falls open.