The rational, logical side of my brain kicks in.He only wants you to stay because you are valuable to what’s going on in Aetheriem.
Annoyance builds in my chest as they debate who can keep me safer. As they argue one point is made clear. They both think I can’t handle myself. Well, I have two words for them: Fuck That! I have made it this far dealing with Jasper by myself. I stayed at Vix’s for a few days just to please Knox, but now that I know what’s going on, I’m sure I can deal with it.
“I can handle myself,” my voice comes out a little louder than I’d anticipated.
They both stop and look at me in surprise, my words are sharp as they spill out of me.
“I’m not a damsel in distress. I’ve handled myself through this so far. I just need to be smarter when it comes to Jasper. But what I absolutely don’t need is a fucking babysitter.” I scowl.
“No one is saying you can’t handle yourself, but you need to learn how to control it. What you don’t want is Jasper catching you off guard.” Knox’s voice is calm and collective, like he’s trying to approach a puppy.
“Look, Myssa, Aetheriem is dangerous. Your arm is proof of just how harmful it can be.You have to make sure you keep yourself grounded,” Zayne says.
“And you feel I’m safer with you?” I ask him sarcastically.
“Yeah, I do,” he says with confidence.
Knox chimes in, “You know I can help her just as much as you can, and she’s my friend.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “Wow, I go from no one wanting me to you two fighting over me. A girl can get used to this.” I roll my eyes.
“You know you're my girl, and I will protect you.” Knox, clearly not catching my tone, puffs out his chest as if somehow his statement will make me swoon with happiness.
Yeeahh, sorry but being a helpless bitch wasn’t on my bingo card for this year.
“From the sounds of it, neither of you will really be able to protect me in the way you are describing,” I say, adamant with my stance.
“Myssa, your safety is of the utmost importance right now. Jasper is way too unpredictable, and no one knows what he’s up to.” Zayne chimes in.
“Look, Jasper hasn’t shown up in a while, and for all I know, he’s busy doing other things and I’m irrelevant. I’m a big girl; I can take care of myself.”
Even though I sound confident, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to stay at Zayne’s. Fighting the urge to changemy mind and say yes, I stand my ground when neither of them speaks up fast enough. “Ok then, it’s settled. I will be sleeping in my own bed.”I toss the words out before either one of them can argue.
Both stare back at me with looks of defeat, and Zayne finally speaks. “Let me give you my number, and if anything happens, please call me.”
I nod, pulling my phone out from my back pocket, I unlock it. I hand it to him, and he quickly adds his number and texts himself from my phone, so he has mine as well.
As he hands it back to me, his fingers brush mine, and the jolt that thrusts through me catches me off guard. My breath hitches, forcing me to close my eyes. Glimpses of another lifetime flash in my vision. Familiarity in his touch, his warm breath against my skin, a smile faded as if the picture has been held one too many times.
The flashes become more prominent, and the intensity becomes to much, ripping me out of the moment. Opening my eyes, I see that Zayne hasn’t moved his body and is still only inches from mine. Looking up, I’m met with blazing eyes staring back at me. I hesitate before speaking, wondering only one thing.
Did he see it too?
My throat is suddenly dry as I swallow and break the silence as I step back.
“Ok, so…” I awkwardly throw my thumbs up over my shoulder in the direction of the door. “I’m just gonna talk to Vix and head out.”
“Yeah.” Zayne’s stance shifts a bit as he pulls at the back of his neck.
Turning around, I catch Knox shaking his head as he gets up. Just as I reach for the door, I hear my name.
“Hey Myssa?” Zayne says, I turn, only to find a wall of Knox in my way. I push him to the right a little more aggressively than I should, and look back at Zayne, who’s just smirking at me.
“Jesus, Myssa, what the hell?” Knox barks.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
The smirk falls off of Zayne’s face and his eyes soften with concern. “Be careful, please, we don’t know what Jasper has up his sleeve,”
