?Snap.
?Poof.
?It all disappears within a blink and I’m left standing here feeling exactly like a vampire with my muted scent and pink eyes.
?It makes them both choke.
?I bet it felt like I just died. I bet it was worse because the bond between me and Varian is cemented.
?“And here I thought we were going to be late to the party.” I glance at Darian as he, Thorne, and Callahan enter through the door still open. The angel quirks a brow at me. “I’m sure I had told Varian he needed to tell you to breathe and remember to keep a lock on that magic, Trouble. Wanna tell us why a red electrical storm started up out of nowhere – especially when lightning and water mages were tasked with keeping a clear sky tonight?”
?“And why,” Thorne drawls, evenly and lazily but a tremble goes through his body, “there was an earthquake with the same force as one that happened earlier this week?”
?Fuck.
?Ignoring Thorne, I turn and face Varian again. “I’ll answer you when he tells me who Kolasi is to him and why you all thought I was a spy.”
?Varian’s eyes narrow and his jaw clenches. Fine. I roll my own eyes and spin on my heel to go grab my mask. It’s still by the door where I had dropped it. Picking it up, I step towards the open door to leave when a hand bites into the frame. An arm dressed in red blocks my path.
?Darian’s exhale ruffles a few strands of my hair I had temporarily dyed for the occasion. “It’s not midnight yet, Trouble, and I told you the rules of this game.”
?I cluck my tongue at him. “I quit.”
?“Then say your safe word.” And those five words spoken on a breath send a zip of fire along my spine. I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth and keep my lips sealed. He chuckles. “That’s what I thought.”
?Then he makes to grab me, but I duck and spin out of his grasp. A growl stuck in the back of my throat as I glare at him. “We’re done with the game. You all wanted to hate me for my secrets and forcing me to tell them when you have all of yours. And unlike you IknowI don’t have a right to know them, but I’m not going to be a mouse on a string for you to play with.”
?His eyes don’t lighten from the depth of his lust but I expected that.
?That’s why I had let myself that moments reprieve, showing my control of my magic to Varian and Castiel as my aura and scent flooded the entirety of Syngenia’s grounds. It should linger for well over an hour, meaning all I have to do is get out of this room and wait until I can step onto the dance floor.
?Composing myself, I neutralize my expression and lift my chin. “You will regret this.”
?For some reason Thorne flinches, but I don’t care enough to stay and figure out why as that second door within whips open and shut. Just enough time for red sparks of lightning to consume me.
?Time or space glitches and then I’m no longer standing in Varian’s office but before white wood and a purple rune.
?I take the moment I have to myself in the empty yard and blow out a long breath. I’ve never tried portaling through my lightning like that without it already existing and being connected to a storm. The first time it happened was by accident when I was in Varian’s classroom and explaining to them my past and why I will never be good enough for them.
?I didn’t know if I would be able to do it again though.
?I scan the courtyard once just in case there is a chance I couldn’t pick up any bodies full of blood through my magic. However, I am, in fact, alone. Once again before the Willow of Lore and warm tempered flames flicker along my soul.
?In an act of recklessness, I place my bare palm over the rune.
?I wait for the burning. For the damning. For another curse or for spirits to come out and suck my soul dry.
?Nothing happens.
?Dead.
?That’s what I think as I step back and pull my mask over my head again. For all we know it could be.
?Shaking my head, I start heading towards one of the exits that leads to the staircase I took yesterday. It’s abnormally quiet, but I’m sure that’s because everyone is tucked away with their partner – or partners. I can still hear music as I take that last few steps before being greeted by the hallway.
?The plush carpet silencing my heels and I’m a bit relieved when that sense of déjà vu doesn’t hit again. Nothing happens when I pass that section of the wall hiding the fountain and staircase either.
?I intend to hide in plain sight the rest of the night and stay as close to the dance floor as possible. I’ve got about twenty minutes until midnight and technically I was only caught by one of those names I listed. Castiel, Callahan, Thorne, and Darian have yet to catch me.
