Say something clever. Panic trickled through my chest the closer we got to my door.
“Uhm. So? Where you from?” Good one, moron. I paused outside the door, mind rushing to find something else to say.
He hesitated, bag in hand. “A place down south, and before that, way up north.”
“Oh?” Vague much?
“Should I leave it here?” He put the bag down, and slid out the handle.
“Sure. Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
I watched in disappointment as he strode along the hall and disappeared down the stairs.
Chapter 2
“There you are.” Salma looked up from her bed when I entered our room. Books splayed all over her golden duvet, notes on blue and pink post-its stuck to most of the pages. “I have our schedule and, from what I can see, the first two weeks will be a walk in the park. But only if you did the homework I sent with you over the holidays.”
The closed door supported my back, while struggled to get my breathing in order. My stomach fluttered, like a million butterflies were having a rave in there.
“What’s wrong?” Two steps from the bed, but I stopped her with a dismissive wave.
“Nothing. I just met one of the newbies. And he’s… I don’t know.” Air escaped my lips, a smile stretched along my lips.
“Hot?” She said it so casually, like I was talking about the weather, and not a tall and attractive hunk of man.
Hands thrown in the air. “Forget it. I’ll save my awesome description for Kaito. At least he’ll know to appreciate it.”
“I take it you didn’t do the homework?”
“Of course not.” The bag took a graceful arc through the air, before it bounced on the bed. “I was on holiday. Holiday means no homework.” Clothes sprung out of the bag when I popped the lid open. “Gran did my laundry though. Yay! Fresh clothes!” Cupping my hands over my mouth, I made the sound of a cheering crowd, but Salma just stared back at me, her mouth a disapproving pout. “Fine.” Shoulders drooped, and I trudged over the floor to her bed. “Show me what I need to do.”
Kaito barged through the door, something that always made Salma press her lips together into a thin line, like a mother to a disobedient child.
“Did you see the blonde guy? He’s packing more than rolled up socks in his pants.”
“Eww. Do you have to?”
I snickered at Kaito’s attempt to measure with his hands. “I swear. It’s…” he held out his hands. “This big.”
“You lie. That’s at least a foot and a half.” With a simple reality check, Salma killed his wishful thinking.
I ignored her, slipped over to my bed and sat down. I patted the space next to me on the bed, pushing the suitcase out of the way. “You should’ve seen the eyes on--“
“Oh, please. Who cares about eyes. How was his ass?”
“I got front row seats when he walked away from me in the hall. Like he was smuggling cantaloupes.” I fanned myself with an exaggerated swoon.
“Can you stop it?” Salma grabbed a pillow and hurled it at us. “Walla, I will hurt you.”
“Uh oh. Momma’s angry. Better behave.” Kaito laughed, and tossed the pillow back. He jumped to his feet and bounced to the door. “This is gonna be an exciting year. Full of dicks and asses.” He ducked through the door before Salma’s pillow hit him. I leapt to my feet, and started unpacking my bag, suppressing the giggles.
“I can’t believe you’re older than me.” She huffed. “You’re acting like high schoolers.”
“No, we’re not. In high school, we were way too cool to be immature.” Lavender and lemongrass escaped the open drawer, and tickled my nose. The maroon glitter trace at the bottom tugged at my lips.
I quickly filled the dresser with clothes, and spun to face Salma after closing it. “Come on. Hit me with the boring stuff, before I change my mind and run after Bunny.” A groan slipped over my lips when she picked up one of her colorful binders from the floor, and flipped it open. This was gonna be a long night.
Rushed from my sleep by the alarm, I flailed for a second before realizing it wasn’t my phone, but the alarm in my head telling me I had company.
“Crap, crap, crap.” Air pressed between teeth, as I slid out of bed, while keeping an eye on Salma’s sleeping figure. Duvet up to her ears, and a half snore. Good. I tip toed to the door, inching it open, breath caught in my chest. I waited for the alarm in my head to calm itself, and give me some kind of direction to where the imp might be hiding.
“Aym? You little shit. Where are you?”
A suppressed giggle rose from the wrought iron lamp on the wall next to our door. With a whisper of an effort I let the door close. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to— “
“I’m just here to warn you. They know you’re here.” The imp shimmered into view. No bigger than the palm of my hand, maroon wings pressed close to his back, and, to my surprise, he wore the loin cloth I made for him.
First time I saw him, I was six years old, and was curled up in my closet after being attacked by another imp. I was crying, trying to cover up the blisters from the acid burn of its spit so Gran wouldn’t get in trouble again. Aym had shimmered in on the floor next to me, and I’d bashed him with a yellow summer sandal. I was surprised that he kept coming back every night. He still didn’t like when I wore sandals.
“Who knows?"
A door further down the hall opened, and a girl padded toward me, shoes in hand. Chin low, and cheeks flustered. With a bit of her lip, and a quick hand through tussled hair she flexed her brows and hurried her steps. I shook my head at her obvious midnight adventure, and turned back to Aym.
“Who knows?”
The door creaked open, again.
“Oh, come on?” Was everyone out perusing the night, or what? A guy stepped out, lips turned down in annoyance, he inhaled deeply and rolled his shoulders. A quick glance over my shoulder after the girl, but she’d already cleared the stairs. Strong fingers raked through light hair, and the guy raised his chin. This must be the guy Kaito talked about. My eyes drifted down his chest, warmth burned in the pit of my abdomen, spreading up my chest when I reached the open belt and button on his slacks. Kaito might’ve exaggerating, but not by much.
“Can I help you?” An amused hum to his tone when he caught me staring. His velvety voice vibrated through my legs, and chest, before sucker punching me in the gut. Crap. Not good. Voices shouldn't resonate like that. That meant trouble.
“Uhm? No. I’m fine.”
“I can see that.” He stepped closer, a brow arched in appreciation. “Standing in the hall, in a t-shirt that shows more than it covers, and after curfew.” Eyes followed my legs, from the calf all the way to the hem of my t-shirt. His lashes lifted, and I found myself mesmerized by northern lights on an azure canvas. “Waiting for someone?” He was close enough for me to be swallowed up in the smooth cedar smell. He took another step, his lips curled into a smile.
Danger, danger, danger. I sucked in a breath and backed up, only to hit my head on the lamp. The guy swallowed the last inches between us and steadied me with a gentle grip around my upper arm. I gasped at the heat crashing through my senses. Attention drifted from me, to the lamp, and back. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Nevermind. You didn’t answer my question.”
His tone was the one of someone used to people obeying, but I couldn’t force a single word from my mouth. Eyes flicked to Aym, clinging to the lamp on the opposite wall. With wild gestures, he let me know he enjoyed seeing me squirm. I pursed my lips in warning, and he shimmered out.
“So?” The guy followed my glare.
I croaked. “Sorry. No. I was just— “
“Being an idiot?” To my disappointment, he removed his hand, and crossed strong arms over his chest.
“No.”
“So, what are you doing out here, almost naked, in the middle of the night?”
“Not the same as
what you were doing, that’s for sure.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” He looked me up and down, an unimpressed expression on his face. “So? What are you doing out here?”
“I… I…” Crap, I had no excuse, not even a bad one.
An eyebrow arched in enjoyment, and he backed away. “I’ve got all night. Let’s hear it.”
“Period.” Ha. I applauded my quick thinking. Guys never questioned the—
“Really? That’s what you’re going with? Your period?” Heat clawed its way to my cheeks when he chuckled. “So, tell me, how are you going to solve that out in the hallway?”
Damn it. “It’s not that, it’s the pain.” Ha! “I can’t sleep, and didn’t want to wake my roommate, so I— “
“Well then. Let’s do something about that.” His eyes sparkled with restraint laughter, and I clenched my fists in annoyance. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?
With the length of his arm, he gestured toward the stairs. “Infirmary. Let’s go.”
I threw a desperate glance at the door to my room, but it was too late to back down now.
The belt clanged when he tightened it, ushering me down the stairs, and passed the cafeteria. White knuckles pulled on the hem of my t-shirt. Eyes irresistibly drawn to the broad back in front of me. With a smooth motion of his arm, he pressed the door to the infirmary open.
“Rigel. Do you have something for cramps? This kid needs something for the pain.”
Kid? Rigel? What happened to Dr. Tran? I halted in the door, and squinted into the dark room. Who was he talking to? Blondie flicked a hand along the wall and lights flooded the room.
Sterile white walls covered in shelves overflowing with bandages and Band-Aids. By the sleek desk at the back of the room a guy hunched over, fingers sliding over the pages of a book. Dark copper skin stretched tight over high cheekbones, hair pulled back in cornrows against his sculptured head. He raised his chin toward Blondie’s voice, scars of different lengths spidered across the skin around the white orbs that mirrored the sharp light from the ceiling.
I jerked back. “Oh, god. Your eyes?”
A snort from beside me, and I wished I could bite my tongue off. Apologies tumbled out of me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’m terribly, terribly sorry.”
Rigel got to his feet, ignoring both my outburst and my apologies. “Will aspirin be enough, or do you need something stronger?” His deep voices rolled through the room.
“By the look on her face I’m betting she needs a bottle of whiskey right about now.”
Please, please, let the floor open up and swallow me. I stumbled forward when Blondie’s hand connected with my back. Heat shot through my body.
“Relax, kid.”
“Will you stop calling me that?” My embarrassment politely moved aside to make room for the anger pot that boiled in my gut. “I have a name.”
“I know.”
He leaned in, close enough for me to feel his breath against the skin below my ear. “Mira.” The way he dragged it out sent the boiling pot swirling through my gut and down my legs. My gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips. His very kissable, very close, lips.
I jumped at the slamming of a drawer. Rigel stood by one of the many cabinets, his curled fist resting on the surface.
“This should suffice.” He felt his way over to us, and held out his hand.
I scoped up the blister pack. “Thank you.”
“I suggest you get back to your room right away, and try to get some sleep.”
“Okay.” I nodded, not willing to look up and face Blondie. “Uhm. I should…”
Blondie stepped back, and pushed the door open. “I’ll take you back.”
“Actually, Lux? Would you mind helping me for a minute?”
Annoyance flared across Blondie’s face. He rubbed the back of his neck, and breathed. “Sure. But you go straight to your room.” He glowered at me, so I scurried out the door, head bobbing. I exhaled when the door fell shut behind me. Cool air slithered around my bare legs, reminding me how uncovered I was.
Chapter 3
The screaming noise from my phone jolted me out of bed. I flailed, missed, and ended up on the floor with a thump. “I’m up, I’m up.” My hand swiped across the nightstand, found the phone, and sent it flying across the room. “I’m frickin’ up.” I muttered, scratching the miniature crow’s nest on my head.
The bright light from the window burned orange through my eyelids. I squinted, crawled out of the duvet, and left it a crumpled green lump on the floor. I could’ve been a real morning person, if mornings came around lunch. A firm tug to get the boxers out of my butt. I dragged myself across the room, massaged my temples, and picked up my phone with a groan. They put the floor way too far down for my liking. Salma stood in front of the bathroom mirror, adjusting her hijab. “Morning.”
“I noticed.” I reached into the shower and turned the handle, steam filled the small space as the warm water gushed from the shower head. I shooed Salma through the door. “Now get out, so I can become human in peace.” I slammed it shut. Hairs on my neck rose in warning. I froze, eyes darting around the room. “I know you’re in here. Get out!” I flinched at the snicker coming from above. The shape of an imp shimmered into view. Teal wings pressed tightly against a ridged back, claws clung to the edge of the shelf, and its square lizard eyes pointed straight at me. No bigger than a mouse, but dangerous none the less, it gargled, collecting saliva at the back of its throat, and geared up to spit that vile, toxic lump at me. I searched for the tap behind me, plugging the sink before turning the faucet.
A ball of glittery blue flew from the imp’s mouth. I ducked, grabbed a towel and tossed it over the imp. Yeah, who was I kidding thinking it’d be that easy. The bastard quickly burrowed out, pushing down cans of hairspray and lotion on the floor. A hint of teal glitter appeared on the sink, I reached for the towel, and I threw myself over the imp. It hissed and struggled, dragging the towel, and me along the sink. The soap dish fell to the floor with a metallic clang.
“What are you doing in there?” Salma hollered.
“Sorry. I slipped.” I grunted. Hands struggling to keep hold of the monster.
“Be careful. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Despite its size, this imp was strong, and forced me to put every ounce of my hundred and forty pounds to work to keep it sealed in the towel. I forced the towel, imp and all, into the overflowing sink and held it down. It kicked and squirmed, jaws snapped through the cloth, but I held firm. Water splashed over the edges, dripped from the marble sink, pooling on the tile floor. Drenched, but determined I cursed under my breath.
“Die, you little shit.” I hissed at the fading bubbles. Water dripped down my face.
Movements slowed under my hands. The shape diminished, until I held nothing but the towel submerged in the now teal colored water. Heart pounding, I pulled the plug to drain the mess, and watched the teal colored water swirl down the drain. That was one stubborn—Holy shit.
I slipped on the wet floor. Arms flailed for support, and I got to admire the red polish on my toenails from a new and exciting angle.
I groaned, my back took the full hit of tile when I landed.
“That’s gonna leave a mark.” I fumbled for the toilet, and hoisted myself to a sitting position. Blowing raspberries to get the water drops away from my nose.
“Are you okay in there?” Salma knocked, her voice hummed with concern through the door.
“Yeah.” I griped. “I’m fine.”
You’d think I’d be good at this after doing it for so long, but no such luck. A maroon shape shimmered in on the floor next to me.
“About time you showed up.” I complained, and hoisted myself to my feet. “Where’d you go last night?”
Aym fluttered up to the sink, padded over to the edge and stared down with a sneer. “I was called back. They’re getting suspicious.”
“Don’t get in trouble for my sake
, okay?” I slipped out of my t-shirt and boxers, and limped into the shower. “I need you in my corner, remember?”
Aym settled on the curtain rod, curling up his tail to avoid the water. “I know. I won’t leave you.”
“Who were you talking about last night? Who’s after me?”
“The big guy.” He glanced over his shoulder to the sink. “And it looks like you got one of his minions.”
I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair, and blinked a few times to clear the water from my eyes. “That’s not really news, now is it?”
“No. But he’s sending demons this time. Not just imps.”
“He must be getting desperate.”
“Yes.” Aym bounced to his feet and proceeded to walk back and forth on the curtain rod. “He wants his freedom.”
“Yeah, yeah. He gets the key, escapes hell, releases his minions, the world ends, and it’ll all be my fault. I get it.” I grabbed the razor off the shelf and turned off the water. “So? The Devil’s sending the big guns?” I pressed a dollop of shaving cream into my hand, and got working on my legs.
“I don’t understand how you can be so calm? He’s sending demons. Demons!” Aym’s voice rose to a squeal.
“Well? What’d you want me to do? Panic? Hide?” I rinsed off my legs. “It hasn’t worked yet.” I’d been alone against the Devil’s imp army since the day my mom died. I was battling venomous hell spawn when most of my friends where dressing their Barbies. Needless to say, they didn’t remain my friends for long.
“No, but you could at least show a little worry.”
Aym wobbled when I ripped the curtain open, and batted his wings in panic to avoid falling into the last of the water at the bottom of the shower.
“Worry? I do nothing, but worry. All the time. About my friends, about Gran. About me screwing up and causing the end of the world. It sucks.” I wrapped the towel around me and wiped off the mirror with my hand. “At least I was lucky enough to have my own little coach.” I winked at Aym in the reflection of the mirror. “Maybe you should stay away, so they don’t find out you’re helping me. I can’t lose you, you know. And there’s not much you can do against demons.”
Before Limbo (After Life Book 1) Page 2
