I met curious umbers over the brim of the cup, coffee rested against my lips. I pulled away, and lowered the cup. “Yeah. It was a rough night.” I inhaled. “Dreamt about mom.”
He reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. “That had to suck. Are you okay? Need a movie night?”
“Oh, yes. Anything with explosions would be great.”
“Calculus is murder.” Salma flopped down on the chair next to Kaito, releasing an avalanche of books over the table. “I fell asleep in the middle of studying, again.” She glanced longingly after my cup. “I think I need one of those.” Eyes wandered the cafeteria, and laced around the coffee machine. With a groan she tipped forward, burying her head in her arms. “It’s too far away.”
I nudged Kaito.
“Fine. I’ll get it.” He snuffed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you girls right now, but if you synced up, you need to tell me.”
Salma didn’t even react, she just raised a limp hand into the air, and wiggled a finger before letting it fall back to the table.
“I need you to come back. I forget to sleep when you’re not there to be lazy with me.” She raised her head and pinned me down with an accusatory glare.
“Oh, come on. I’ve only been away one night.”
She dropped her head again. “Feels like a week.”
Kaito placed the cup in front of her and sat down. He ruffled my hair, and put his head on my shoulder. “You up for movie night tonight?” He nudged her arm, and she propped up in the chair.
“Yes, please. I need distraction.”
Elize strolled over to our table and took a bite from a bright green apple. She suckled the juices, hitching a chin to Salma. “Do you have time later? Thought we could compare notes on Biology.”
“Sure. Let me just…” She rifled through the books, and smiled in triumph when the pink notebook slipped from the pile. “Now?”
“No.” Elize checked her phone. “How about over lunch?”
“Oh, my god. He looks like a wreck.” Kaito lifted from my shoulder, wide eyed, and caused us all to turn our attention to Cas stalking through the cafeteria. His eyes were bloodshot, hair a mess, and I could almost see the alcohol like an aura around him. What was he up to last night? His lips pressed together, teeth clenched so tight the muscle in his jaw popped.
“Wow. Rough night?” Elize took another bite from her apple. I flinched at the crunch.
A soft tingle grew from my fingers to my chest, and curled in pleasurable serpentines along my groin. My gaze swayed from Cas and found Lux, paused in the door. He sauntered in, a curve at the corner of his lips, the black shirt’s top button undone, with a hand lazily resting in the pocket of his slacks. He looked like a cat who’d cornered a fat mouse. We locked eyes, and I groaned silently. I was the fat mouse, wasn’t I? He dipped his chin, a gesture that granted me a weird side glance from Kaito. A second later, the floodgates opened.
“Okay. I know something’s up between the two of you. I mean, it took you what, three days to become cozy with him? And what’s up with the other one? Picking you up from class like he owns the place, and showing up hungover today. It’s weird. And the switching of rooms? Seriously? You better start talking or I’ll make a scene. Why are they so… so…? You know? They’re everywhere.”
Our eyes swept over to them settling a few tables away. Cas hung his head heavy in his hand, absentmindedly stirring his coffee, drawing curious looks from the students around him. Lux slipped down on his chair, stretching out his legs and locking them at the ankles.
“It’s nothing. It’s just… “
“Hey!” Neeko marched across the cafeteria, finger primed at my chest. “If you’re going to have a fucking orgy in your room, at least use a gag ball, so the rest of us can sleep.”
I blinked, slack jawed, back at him. “What? I didn’t—"
“Hey? Lower your voice.” Elize stepped between us. “Don’t want daddy dearest to know you’re causing a scene.”
A furious glare jumped from me to Elize, and back.
“It’s bad enough that the likes of you get moved to my side of the school,” he spat. “But the who—"
A flash of black, white, and Neeko hit the floor. Trickles of red dripped from behind his hand, and speckled his shirt.
Chapter 22
Cas stood over Neeko, fury glowing hot in his eyes. Lux's fingers were wrapped around his wrist. Salma grabbed my arm and stared in disbelief at the scene.
“You’re insane.” Neeko stumbled to his feet, eyeing his blood covered hand.
Lux gently moved a slack jawed Elize out of the way, not releasing his grip on Cas. “You need to calm down.”
“Why? You’re her pimp or something?”
Lux whipped his glare to Neeko’s face. Darkness boiled over his lips. “Apologize.”
“Are you shitting me? I’m not apologizing to a sl—"
Northern lights swirled across an azure sky. “Apologize,” Lux's voice sang, a melody oddly familiar.
Neeko turned, and his glazed eyes found mine. “I’m sorry.”
“Good. Now go away.”
Neeko floated out of the cafeteria, arms slacked along his sides. Fear trickled along my spine when I met Lux’s stare. Cas ripped his wrist free. Breathing heavily, he drove a hand through his hair, and his knuckles flashed red. I rushed to my feet.
“I’m so sorry.” I rounded the table to check on Cas’ hand. “I don’t know what he…”
He jerked and hid his hand behind his back when I reached for it. “It’s fine.”
“Let me at least check it.”
Lux placed a hand on the small of my back, and patted Cas on the arm. “Let’s go.”
Cas glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowed. He shrugged away Lux’s attempt to steer him out of the cafeteria, and bounded for the door. Chairs rattled, and Kaito fell into step with us, dragging Salma by the arm as we walked after Cas. She struggled to accept the books Kaito had rifled together, and was now dumping on her as he asked, “What was that all about?”
“Nothing.” What could I say? No matter how I tried to explain it, it’d come off as if I didn’t invite my friends to a party.
“Nothing? That didn’t seem like nothing.”
“I suggest you forget about it.” Lux fired off one of his crocked smiles. Kaito cocked a brow, leaned back and checked Lux’s hand still resting on my back.
“So? You two? That’s kind of cute.”
Lux curled a corner of his lush lips. “We two, what?”
“Dating.”
Lux moved me over to his right side, and placed himself between me and Kaito. Then he slipped a hand up Kaito’s back, and smirked. “Are we dating now?”
I knew so well how Kaito felt when his bottom lip dropped, and his face flushed.
Salma curved around them and hooked her arm in mine. “Wow. I’ve never seen Kaito so…” She chewed on her lip in the search for words. “Is flabbergasted still usable?”
I glanced over at Kaito’s blushing face. “Yeah. It’s definitely usable.” I snickered, and slapped Lux over the chest with the back of my hand.
Cas had stopped when we reached the infirmary, and his hand was resting between Rigel’s steady fingers.
“Why?” Rigel sighed as his fingers examined Cas’ knuckles. “It’s too late for you. Give up. I hate to see you—”
“Hello, Rigel,” Lux said, a little too loud.
Rigel released Cas’ hand. “Ah, Lux. Just the person I was looking for. Do you have a moment?”
Kaito gulped like a fish on land, unable to form a single word. He gawked at Rigel’s scars.
“Of course,” Lux said.
Nails dug into my skin, and the fingers pinched hard enough to create bruises. I groaned and slapped Salma’s hand.
Rigel arched a questioning brow. “Mira? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” I furiously patted her to let go.
He frowned. “Are you sure? If you’re in any pain, please drop by so I
can help you.”
“Oh, I will. Thank you.” A gave a relieved exhale when she finally let go, and I rubbed my arm to dull the pain.
“Oh? I’m an idiot. Sorry. I should probably introduce my—"
“I already know them. Salma and Kaito, right?” He held out a hand, and Kaito dove to take it, eager to put some distance between Lux and himself.
“Yes. I’m Kaito.”
Rigel's lips spread into a blinding smile. “Nice to meet you.” He didn’t wait for Salma to take his hand, instead he placed it over his heart, and nodded. “Nice to meet you too, Salma.”
Even though he couldn’t see her, she placed her hand in the same way. “Nice to meet you.”
I peered at Lux again, his focus on Cas waiting by the infirmary door, lips pinched, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Shall we?” Rigel motioned for the door.
“What? Me too?”
“Come on.” Lux steered me away from my friends. “I’ll have her back to you before class.” He smiled over his shoulder.
“We have to get you out of here,” Rigel said, even before the door to the infirmary closed behind us.
“What? Why?”
“I’ve been informed there are forces at this school that wish to harm you.”
“What? No. That was just Neeko.” I jumped when Caroli and Tell barged through the door, followed by a redhead. She beamed at me, and offered a hand.
“Mira, how lovely to finally meet you. I’m Ain.” The untamed locks bounced as she moved. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help with the demons, but I was otherwise detained.”
Who spoke like that? Otherwise detained? Seriously? I took her hand, and glanced at Lux with an arched brow. He smiled one of those half smiles that got me weak in the knees.
“I was not referring to the humans,” Rigel continued after the interruption. “We can’t protect you properly. If demons attack the school, if they’re already walking these halls, we have no way of assuring your, or your friends' safety.”
“But Aym said—"
“You can’t ask us to trust an imp.”
“I’m not asking you to.” Annoyance hummed in my voice. Fingers rubbed the base of my nose. “I’m telling you, I do.”
Aris suddenly appeared in the middle of the room, and he brought Beid. As well as my sudden switch to pissed off mode. “Uhm, sorry, but why’s Rigel telling me I have to leave? I thought the plan was me staying, and you keeping watch.” Teeth sunk into my bottom lip. Maybe they were right. My friends could be in danger. But Aym said the demons wouldn’t attack the school.
“It was, but…” Cas trailed off.
“But, what?”
“Just tell her,” Lux complained when everyone settled. He continued with a spiteful tint to his tone. “You see, Mira, you picking me to guard you didn’t sit right with anyone in this room, or any other room. So, they felt it was better if they took you somewhere else, where my services aren’t needed.”
My jaw dropped. I stared at Lux, the words not sinking in. “Is this because of the dream?”
“What dream?” Cas snapped.
A flicker of something dark and desperate flashed behind those midnight blues.
“You didn’t tell them?” The surprised look I gave Lux was met by a cold stare.
“It’s not my place to tell anyone about your dreams.”
“What dream?” The words were pressed through clenched teeth.
“Well…” In as much detail as possible, I described the dream, leaving out what happened when I woke up. Not only to keep Lux out of it, but because I hated that I’d been so weak.
“Which demon possesses those powers?” Ain moved next to Caroli, a hand on her arm. “I’ve never heard of one that can do such a thing.”
“I have.” Rigel breathed. “Nybbas.”
“That settles it. We need to make sure the key is safe.” Ain started, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen to someone I just met, telling me what to do with the life I’d manage to keep going even without their help.
“Stop it,” I barked, the muscles in my jaw clenching. I breathed deep to steady my voice, tilted my head back and let my eyes fall shut, counting to ten. Just breathe. In. Out. Breathe. I rolled my shoulders and opened my eyes. “I am not going anywhere.” I put up a finger to silence any interjection. “Ap, ap, ap. I have the key. I make the rules.” I observed the group. “I’m staying here. You can choose to protect me, or not. But that’s the only choice you can make when it comes to me.” I glared at Cas. “Are we clear?”
“Mira, you need to— “
“Cas… I swear to god, I will shove this key down your throat if you don’t shut up.” I bit the inside of my lip to keep from crying. Anger boiled hot and heavy through my veins. “If Lux can’t guard me, for whatever reason, you pick a new one. Just not him,” I pointed to Beid, “or her.” I pinned Caroli with a frosty glare. “I ask you again, are we clear?”
I caught Lux moving in the corner of my eyes, and made the mistake of looking at him. His eyes were swirling in purple and green, and as he let out a slow breath between parted lips, my heart stuttered. The anger disappeared. Thoughts, gone. I forgot to breathe, confusion itching at the back of my mind. What was this? Time slowed, every second turned into an eternity. I shrieked when Cas dashed past me and grabbed Lux by the shirt to ram him against the door. “Don’t. Don’t even think of doing that again. Not to her.”
A panicked glance over my shoulder at Tell, begging for an explanation, got me nothing but a shrug. He shook his head. A silent battle was flowing between the two brothers. Anxiety vibrated through the room. No, wait. The room was actually vibrating. Boxes began to clatter along the shelves, tipping over and scattering on the floor.
The growing light of the lamps in the ceiling forced me to squint. “What’s happening?”
Lux threw his hands up in surrender and an exasperated sigh tumbled over his lips. “Fine. Do it the hard way.”
The shaking stopped, and the lamps dimmed. Cas backed away from Lux, sucking air through his teeth.
“What was that?” I wiped the cold sweat of my hands against my jeans.
My eyes swept along the group, but met nothing but unreadable masks. The door slammed, and I spun to find Lux had left the room. Cas’ eyes burned deep in their sockets, and Caroli placed a hand on his arm, worry written in every line between her brows.
With a heavy head, Cas rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll guard her.”
Caroli’s hand retracted as her face paled, her eyebrows shooting to her hairline. Then the thunder rolled through her green eyes. Whatever she was thinking, Cas knew, cause he clenched his jaw, and shook his head.
“Yeah. That’s a super idea. If you find me dead in a ditch, you know who to ask first.” I stalked to the door and twisted the handle. “I’m late for class.” The door couldn’t close fast enough behind me. Stupid Stars. Stupid key. I gripped at the copper under my shirt, the muscles in my hand twitching with the desire to rip the thing off and hurl it across the hall. I drew a trembling breath, and headed to class.
Chapter 23
After cancelling movie night, I’d spent the entire day fighting off questions from Kaito. Salma had accepted with a simple side glance, but Kaito wasn’t one to give up easily. I huffed up the stairs to my room, and groaned at the message from him on my phone, but didn’t bother answering. No matter what I wrote he’d still nag me. My heart cracked, and then flooded my chest with heat when I spotted Lux outside my door. He scratched his neck, eyes fixed on me.
“Thought you weren’t gonna guard me anymore?”
“I’m not.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I wanted to make sure you were okay after last night.”
I reached for the handle, and he moved to the side. “Yeah. I’m fine.” I laced my fingers around the handle to keep them from shaking. “Thanks.” I studied the door, counted every crack, every dent to keep from reacting to him being so close. “And thanks for putting up
with my friends- well, friend -today. He can be—"
“It’s fine.” A pause, and then his fingers massaged an earlobe. “And thank you. For leaving out… what happened.”
Every fiber in my body pulsated by his closeness, and I fought to keep my heart from reaching out to touch him. What was wrong with me?
“I don’t like to flaunt my weak sides.” My shoulder raised in a shrug. I pressed the door open. “Uhm? You want to come in?” I gave up, and let myself revel in the warmth flaring through my senses when I looked at him. A crooked smile lifted his lips.
“I doubt that will end well.”
“Depends on who you ask.” There was no stopping the mischievous smile splitting my lips.
“Right.” His smile morphed into a devilish one. “What if I asked you?”
I hiccupped, the sliver of courage I had a second ago burning to ashes by the flush crawling up my neck. He leaned forward, his breath on my skin. A finger traced along my jaw, stopped under my chin and tilted it up. I whimpered through parted lips, unsure of what I wanted him to do. Emotions swayed between terrified and turned on. My lids flickered closed, my senses engulfed in flames. His finger released me and my eyes opened.
Lux swayed back and raked a hand through his hair. “I should go.” He bit his lip, then opened his mouth to say something more, but changed his mind and walked away, leaving me in disarray. With a deep exhale, I pushed the door open and inched back when I spotted Cas in the middle of the room. His eyes primed at the door, brows pulled up over his nose, hands shoved in his pocket.
“You’re here?”
He snapped into motion. “Yes. Why shouldn’t I be?”
I dropped my phone on the nightstand. “I thought for sure Witchy would’ve vetoed that decision.”
“I’m sorry about that, and about today. I don’t always see eye to eye with Lux.” Cas picked up the pile of clothes from the lounge chair, head turned in search of a place to put it.
“I was overly bitchy, so it’s fine.” I pointed to the floor. “Just drop it there, I’ll deal with it later.” I shook out the duvet, and fluffed the pillows to get ready for bed. “You looked like hell this morning. Rough night?”
Before Limbo (After Life Book 1) Page 9
