He snatches the hat from my head. “This is mine,” he says. I blink at him in dismay. I never expected this level of hostility. “This is also mine.” He pulls on the strings of my hoodie.
I found this hoodie, my lucky hoodie, the night I ran away from the clinic. I thought I could use some luck to cook and serve a perfect dinner for… this asshole right in front of me. I lift my chin. I won’t let him intimidate me. I didn’t do anything wrong. He steps closer, and closer still, but I refuse to back down. I return his glare.
“What else have you stolen while I was gone? Should I start locking my door or put an alarm system on the valuables?”
What the fuck is his problem? Fine. If he wants his sweatshirt, he can have it. I shove the piece of paper into the front pocket and remove my glasses. Pulling my arms through the sleeves, I remove the oversized, comfortable garment and shove it into his chest. I stand there, seething, in only a sports bra and lounge pants. I need to go upstairs and get another shirt.
He catches it. “Thanks. I’ll have this laundered. It stinks,” he sneers.
Anger shoots up my spine. A clap of thunder erupts over our heads, shaking the entire mansion. I jump. Shit! I didn’t mean to do that. I spin around and race up the stairs to my room.
Resting my glasses on my desk, I pace and shake my arms.Deep breath. Deep breath, I repeat to myself. Just like Anders taught me.Calm down, I scold myself. Anders explained that my magic is connected to my emotions. I take another calming breath and think of things that make me happy.
Luke’s angry face pops into my mind. Thunder rumbles from a distance, and heavy rain pours outside.No, no, no. Calm down. Calm down.
My bedroom door crashes open. “What the hell was that?” he asks, accusing.
A flash of lightning streaks outside of my window. I face him as I slowly back toward the French doors. He needs to get away from me.
My hands tremble from the buzz of electricity in my fingers and palm. I back up the cool glass of the doors hits my back. I grasp for the handle and slip onto the balcony. Rubbing my thighs, I urge,Calm down. You can do this. I take several deep breaths. The flash of lightning and thunder appear farther away. The downpour soaks me in minutes, but I don’t care.
“Are you doing this?”
Why can’t he take a frickin’ hint and stay away? I’m not bothering him. I’m trying to retreat.
He grabs my shoulder and forces me to look at him. “Are you doing this?” he snaps.
Instinctively, I raise my arms, palms out to protect myself. A force of wind slams him into the outer wall. Lightning and thunder explode around me.
He slowly stands and approaches me again. “Get it under control before you hurt someone,” he commands through clenched teeth.
“Then get away from me,” I squeak. Moving away from him, my back hits the railing. But he prowls closer. “Stay away from me!” I try to shout, but my voice fails me, emitting only as a rush of air.
His menacing, haunting demeanor causes tingles of fear to spread within my body. He places his hands on either side of me, resting them on the metal barrier, trapping me in his space. “I swear if you don’t get this under control and hurt my family…”
The wind howls around me loudly, reflecting my hurt and anger. “I would never hurt your family!” I whisper-scream. The wind whips around us.
The balcony quivers from an impending earthquake. I’m not doing that. My eyes widen, but he still doesn’t move, his eyes narrowed, lips curled in anger. I push him, hard, loosening his grip. The balcony shakes more intensely, knocking me backward. I wince, and the railing breaks under my weight.
I fall, contorting my body to find the ground rushing up to meet me. I raise my arms in front of my face, anticipating the impact.
The wind catches me just in time, hovering me a few feet above the earth. Pain sparks in my abdomen as a loose part of the railing stabs through me. Using the wind, I levitate away from the flying projectiles, press my hand over the wound, and plummet to the ground. Something slides from my waist andslithers away. What the hell is that? But I can’t see clearly enough to figure out what it is.
Luke stands over me, eyes wide. “Are you okay?”
What the fuck is his problem? One minute, he’s trying to kill me, and the next, he’s as white as a sheet with… concern?No, I am not okay. I’m angry, you piece of shit for brains.
A bolt of lightning slaps the ground, close enough to send Luke flying toward the house. I get to my feet and see blood on my hand. The wound, thankfully, isn’t very deep. Fucking asshole! Thunder booms, and Luke jumps. I prowl toward him with as much menace and threat as I can muster. He appraises me, swallowing.
Since I can’t speak loud enough to make my fucking point, I force my voice into his head.I would never hurt your family!” My chest heaves. I press a hand into my side and clench the other into a fist so I don’t lose control of my magic.But if you ever come at me again, I promise, I will hurt you!Another bolt of lightning strikes the ground near him. He rolls out of the way and covers his ears at the booming thunder.
I use the wind to lift me onto my balcony. The cute little table and chairs fell over the side from the earthquake. I walk into my room, close and lock the doors, and draw the heavy drapes. For good measure, I also lock my bedroom door.
I don’t understand. Why would he attack me that way?
If dinner was for Luke alone, I would dump everything, partially cooked and raw, in the middle of his bedroom. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn’t the monster he thinks I am. My heart aches, thinking he won’t appreciate any of it anyway.
But it’s not just for him. All of them are coming for dinner tonight, and I want to thank them for accepting me into their family. So, I will finish what I started.
