“So,” he murmured, “who won?”
I crossed my arms. “Pretty sure it was me.”
“You’re adorable when you lie.”
“I’malwaysadorable,” I countered with a sly smile.
Malakai dipped his head and landed his lips on mine, soft and tenderly. “I guess I’ll surrender this once.” He grinned, the dangerous, competitive kind. “I’ll win tomorrow.”
“You can try.”
“Is that a challenge?” He smiled against my lips.
“It’s a promise.”
He chuckled and kissed me again. “Oh? I can’t get too soft on you, after all, you tend to have the opposite effect on me.”
My cheeks heated. “Arrogant demon.”
“Better get used to it, I’m not going anywhere,” he said caressing my cheek. “As insane as you make me… You can’t get rid of me.”
I let myself lean against his shoulder, arms wrapping around him. “Good, I don’t want to.”
In the dim silence of the abandoned village… we found a moment that felt alive.
I had trouble sleeping, my eyes kept peeking open every now and then to scan my surroundings.
Eve patrolled a slow, precise circle around the center of the ruined home. She moved like a shadow with sharp edges, rifle in hand, every step light and careful.
Jaden sat on a pile of rubble along one of the walls, picking at a loose thread on his gloves, glancing between Eve and Lionel, like he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to speak or stay silent.
“So…” he attempted, voice cracking slightly from the forced hush. “Do you, uh… like missions like this? The creepy ones?”
Eve didn’t look at him. “I like missions where nobody dies.”
Jaden blinked. “Right. Yes. Good preference. Very… practical.”
Lionel, leaning near the doorway, shouldered his rifle more tightly and scanned the dark outside. He didn’t intervene, watching the exchange like a silent buffer. He shifted, head turning towards me and I quickly shut my eyes.
I was supposed to be sleeping, and if they caught me awake Eve might smack me with her rifle to make sure I got some shuteye.
Jaden cleared his throat. “I’m pretty good with the whole… chaos thing. Figured I could lighten the mood.”
“No,” Eve said.
“No what?”
“No lightening,” she answered flatly. “Just watch and stay quiet.”
Before I knew it, I was peeking again.
Jaden opened his mouth, then shut it.
Sheepish.
After a beat, he whispered, “Do you at least like jokes?”
Lionel finally spoke, not amused, but helpful in his quiet way. “She likes quiet.”
