“Don’t do that Stellina. Please. You get angry with someone, you call me. You don't want to talk to anyone, you call me and I will take you wherever you want to go, without speaking a single word. Someone pisses you off, you come to me. Please. We were so worried.” His nose and mouth are still pressed close to my ears and I feel each word deep in my heart. What are these guys doing to me?
Okay Ada, time to lighten the situation.
“And what if that someone who pissed me off is you?” I tilt my head so that I can look into his eyes and give him my best petulant child pout.
He stutters, fixated on the pout. Wide eyed, he looks around and then at me. He brings his right hand to my face and holds my chin, gently.
With fearful eyes he asks, “Am I?”
Oh Enzo… You cute cuddly teddy bear…
I give him, what I hope to be, my most dazzling smile, making him blink.
“No. I was just asking what to do if you pissed me off…” I laugh and extricate myself from his arms. He lets me go reluctantly, eyes still on my chin. No, on my lips.
Well, well, well.
“You still call me. Simple,” he says with a huff and goes to forage into the fridge.
I turn around and find Lexie looking at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Okay, no. None of that. Whatever you are thinking, whatever prank you are thinking. Never gonna happen,” I tell her.
I fold my arms across my chest and take a seat at the table.
“What is she doing?”
“What am I doing?”
Enzo and Lexie ask at the same time. This is a moment for an exaggerated eye-roll, right now.
“I know that look in your eye. This is the same look you had a year back, just before Ryan came running out of his room holding his laundry basket that held some random chick’s G-string. It is the same look you had six months back right before we found Ash running butt naked around the living room, following Vince with a spatula in one hand and a boot in the other.” Pointing my finger at her, and trying to look as stern as possible I continue, “If I find myself in the company of random men’s boxers or running butt naked, I swear Alexis, you would be making an enemy out of me.”
“Why would I have random men’s boxers? And why will I make you run around butt naked? Though I am sure, nobody would mind that.” She winks at me, and we hear something meeting the floor with a loud clang. I look around to find Enzo frozen, looking at the both of us, his glass of water splattered. Lexie bursts out laughing looking at him. And once again, I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Just.. no mischief. Especially on me. No pranks. Nothing. Alright?”
“Awwww….” She tries her best to give me the pout and the puppy eyes, but I see right through her. “But you’re are spoiling my fun. Come on… it will be fu-”
“She is NOT running around butt naked!” Enzo shouts, and then leaves the room grumbling, “finish up here then come to the living room. And no talks of nudity.”
Lexie and I look at his retreating back, then back at each other. She mimes beating her fists on her chest imitating a gorilla, then pointing at Enzo she wiggles her butt, and starts strutting in a really bad imitation of a King-Kong-catwalk. I couldn't help it. Laughing, I go to straighten her up and as we are dissolving into fits of laughter, Enzo walks back into the kitchen.
Surprisingly though, he walks like that King-Kong strut that Lexie just did. We laugh harder at that, doubling up on the floor. He looks at us trying to go for stern, but we both can see him fighting his smile.
This version of Enzo is so different from last night’s. And I am loving this one.
Where the hell did that come from?
He kneels down next to us and holds both of us by our ears. Like we are kids.
“Now you listen up children, we need to discuss things and you both giggling like kindergartners isn't helping any…”
Lexie and I look at each other and we both lift our hands to his nipples, and before he even realizes it, we pinch and twist it as hard as we can.
“Ahhhhhhh, you demons, what the fuck!” he lets go of us and starts massaging his nipples.
Needless to say that this vision is not something I can pass up on, and as slyly and quickly as I could, I snap a photo of him doing just that.
“Stop that!” he tries for stern again.
“Okay, okay. Sorry. Let's go to the living room and talk.”
“What were you laughing about?”
“Ask Lexie.”
“Lexie?”
Giggles.
“My God. I swear this is a possessed Lexie. Our Lexie has always been a level headed person. What has gotten into you?” he sounds exasperated.
The sound of our Lexie makes me feel weird. But I am not going to allow myself to think about that. I am sure all of them have a connection. And I don’t want-
I feel Enzo grip my elbow, tugging me along to the living room. “Come on lazy bums… let’s go and talk everything over.”
“Sir, yes sir.” I give him a mock salute as Lexie starts laughing behind us. I give Enzo my bright smile that screams fake in big bold capital letters. He shakes his head, trying unsuccessfully to hide his smile.
Chapter 21
Ada
“So what happened at the Uni? Why did you run away Ada?” Enzo asks.
The atmosphere is serious. I can feel anger rolling off of them both in waves. Are they angry at me?
My confusion must have been visible on my face. Because Lexie plants herself next to me and says, “no babe. We are not angry at you. We are angry at Vince for having done whatthefuckever he did that made you run away. And we are angry at this turn of events. Anything could have happened to you. So.. yeah.. Just tell us what happened?”
They were worried about me? But…
“We always worry about you,” Lexie says again.
“Did you just read my mind?”
“No. But your heart is always on your face when you are not guarded. And right now you aren’t. So I can see what you are thinking. We always worry about you. Why else do you think Ry comes by here every morning to check up on you? Or why else do you think Vee found himself in the campus that day? Because he wanted to check up on you.”
“Okay enough of this.”
Enzo interrupts any further thoughts or questions. He looks at Lexie and says, “if she doesn't believe we care for her, she will soon.” Then he directs his stare at me, “but we need to know what happened, Stellina. If Pa had called and found out that you ran away, do you know how worried he would have been?”
I am taken aback once again by this guy. He is genuinely concerned about Dad getting worked up. But then I realize something, and I know that none of them realize this.
“You think Dad doesn't know about this?”
“How would he know - you called him?” Lexie asks.
“No I did not, also I won’t but I assure you he knows.”
“How can you say that…” Enzo asks.
I allow myself to smirk at them. They really don't know the terror that my father is.
“Guys. He is THE most protective man in the whole wide world. You really think he wouldn't know what we all are getting up to? Especially now that I know of what is happening or have broken away from the lapse, do you really think he won't pay attention? Sometimes I swear I think he can see right into my so-” a gasp leaves me so suddenly that Enzo rushes to me in a heartbeat.
“Magic… it is magic isn’t it? The powers that all of you were talking about?” I whisper ask them both.
“Yes. I don’t know what you are referring to, but Pa is deadly and powerful as fuck. Even we don’t know the full extent of his powers. Hopefully, tonight we will answer all of your questions and unblock your powers too.” Enzo explains patiently, touching my hair.
I could only nod. It is overwhelming. Not the fact that we all might be in danger. But the backgrounds and the stories, the powers, the magic and the way the guys make me feel and act a
round me.
“So tell us what happened today…..” Enzo says.
I tell them everything, in as much detail as I can. Especially about Mathew. How I found him and the piece of paper he had managed to slip to me.
When I am done, I am confused when they continue to look at me expectantly.
“What? That is all that happened..”
“What happened with Vince?” Lexie asks.
Oh that…
“Nothing much. He just screamed at me and I left him there. You know me. I don't like anyone screaming at me. My fault or not.” I shrug and hope it conveys that I don't think it is a big deal.
“Was it?” Lexie asks.
“What?”
“Was it your fault?”
I look into her eyes and find myself looking at truth and honesty. I don't know how I get this, but I do.
“Let’s forget abou-”
“No. Ada, he did something that made you run away, and run all the way from the school to here. You know how much distance that is?” Enzo asks.
“Umm… I don't know… 5-6 miles?”
“Seven and a half miles. You ran all the way. You didn't have a vehicle. You didn't take a cab. That is a lot of distance for you to be covering alone, on foot, these days. You are in danger sweetheart. If not for the fact that you have broken out of this jinx, then for the fact that you are a level 24 warrior and daughter of Cael. So we need to know what Vince did. Please tell us. He already told us about Victory.”
Listening to my Dad’s name is like a bucket of cold water. Yeah, if someone had a beef with him then I would be the perfect target for them.
“I can take care of myself you know,” I say, giving them a smile.
“We know. But … it doesn't refute the fact that you were alone. Now tell us.” Enzo says in a commanding voice. It doesn't irritate me as much as I had thought it would. But it does something alright..
So I continue with what had happened with Victory and Vince. While I am recounting the events, Enzo and Lexie are looking at me with anger, sure, but also with something like anticipation.
As I end the story, they are both fuming with anger, any traces of anticipation now gone.
“Guys it’s okay. It is not something to be angry about. Why are you both so angry anyway?” I really cannot understand why they are fuming.
“Victory is with the sect of Lust,” Lexie tells me, and I have a hard time figuring out what she said because she’s gritting her teeth so badly.
“Yeah, that sure explains everything.” I tell them and my sarcasm isn’t missed.
Enzo releases a sigh and calms down a bit.
“Ada, Lust Sect has always been after the most virile men and fertile women. Good looks is their kryptonite and they will literally do anything to have someone they crave. But, that is not all. Once they have their eyes set on that special someone, they will leave no stone unturned to infuse them with enough lust that they have no other choice but to give in.”
He pauses, again looking at me for something. When I say nothing he continues. “They mostly love getting someone from the Preservation sect. And that is us. Victory has been after any one of us for a long time. She has tried to make life hell for Lexie by siccing various men from their sect on her. So for Vince to really be giving her attention, even if it was for a minute and not twenty, is going against what we have trained for. The fact that he did that while you were there, and then had to tell you that you should have waited? Not fucking done.” He spits the last word out, and looks ready to erupt.
“Lexie lock up,” he says and then sweeps me in his arms and heads out the door.
“Hey!!! Enzo I can walk!”
He keeps walking stoically, not looking at me.
“Enzo! What the hell!?” I am about to twist myself out of his arms when he tightens his arms. Something about that move makes me pause.
Looking up into his eyes I find oodles of regret and guilt swimming.
“Hey... What’s wrong?” I ask softly.
I don't know how he manages to open the car door while carrying me, but he does. He lowers me on the seat and clips my seatbelt for me. And I? I have gone to the moon with him and come back. I am losing my shit around these guys.
Finally he says, “you could have been hurt. If the Lust sect got hold of you, I cannot even imagine what they'd do. I would have killed for a chance to be the one who takes you to and from the campus. Vince had that. And he ruined it. He had you with him. The most precious thing in the world……”
“Hey calm down. I am sure there is an explanation.”
“Don't you get it? There is no explanation, other than that he is guilty.” Lexie hops in the car behind me, but Enzo doesn't move away.
“He never shouts. He never ever screams. He is the one who deconstructs everything so that he can learn from it. So there is no other explanation….” He kisses my forehead and closes my door to get to the driver’s side.
I turn around to find Lexie looking out at Enzo.
“I don't..”
“The only reason he would scream and place blame is if he is guilty,” Lexie says.
“Guilty of what, Lex? He enjoyed a kiss with a girl, that is hardly a crime…”
Enzo gets in and hears the statement and a loaded look passes between the two.
Putting the car into drive, clenching his teeth, he says, “guilty of giving away secrets to them.”
“Guys be fucking straight with me or tell me that you cannot tell me. Just do not talk in bloody riddles again.”
“Lust sectees can take your deepest darkest desires and secrets with their kiss, if they unleash their venom in their saliva. The only reason for Vince to be so angry is that he stopped her a bit too late.”
Well…. Damn…
Chapter 22
Ryan
If Lexie hadn’t texted me that they were going to meet Ada and that she was at home, I would have gone to look for her myself.
One stupid silly mistake and Vince could have put everything and all of us in danger.
“Are you trying for the Olympics next year?” Ash’s voice brings me out of my mind.
“What?”
“The way you are pacing, made me think you might be trying for the Olympics next year,” he says as if not bothered by the turn of events.
Rolling my eyes I make my way to the lounger, where Ada had sat yesterday, and plonk myself there.
“What do you think happened?” I ask Ash. He is busy looking out the window. Whether looking for Ada and the others, or for the secrets of the universe, I cannot tell. But he has been in a mood since he found out that Ada ran off leaving Vince alone.
“I don’t know. I know that she is headstrong. I know her pride comes in the way more often than she likes to admit. But one thing that she isn't? Is silly. Where is Vince?” With that he turns to me and comes forward to sit on the couch.
“I don’t know. He has been in a mood, refusing to say anything, refusing to let me see or look…. I cannot find anyone around except Victory. And I am not going there.”
I am exasperated at this point. But more than anything it is this insane worry about Ada that has anger building up inside of me. If anything had happened to her…. If someone saw her.. No, I cannot let myself go there.
“They’re here.” Ash announces, getting up and heading to the kitchen door to wait for them.
Just as I hear the kitchen-garage door open, I hear Enzo’s roar.
“Veeeeeeee!” Enzo is angry. No, furious would be the right word.
I run out to meet all of them and catch sight of Ada. She is clearly confused and is casting worried looks at Enzo.
“I am sure there is a reason Enzo… calm down please…” She pleads, and looks at us for help.
I move towards her and take her into my arms. Her body feels like heaven in my arms and I don't want to let her go even for a second. Before I feed her confusion even more, I ask, “What happened?”
“Vince fucked up, thats
what happened!” Enzo barks. “Vee!!” He shouts once again.
Lexie lets out an angry breath. “Let’s just wait in the living room… Pa is about to call.” With that she makes a beeline for the living room, all of us following her.
Enzo is about to shout once again when Vince comes downstairs. His eyes on Ada, but focussed on where I am holding her.
Before I or anyone could say anything, Enzo launches himself at Vince.
One solid punch lands on Vince’s face, and Ada screams.
“Enzo!” She runs towards them and all of us try to stop her. Getting in between Enzo and Vince when they are like this is not a good idea. None of us do.
But I should have known that no one can stop Ada.
Vince has fallen and Enzo is straddling him landing punches to his face and ribs. His face is bristling with fury so great that I take a step back at the sight in front of me. Enzo has never lost his shit like this with one of us. Never, ever.
“Enzo! Stop!” Ada cries again and flies over to Enzo.
Just as Enzo is about to punch Vince again, Ada wraps her hands around Enzo’s wrist. He flicks her off and she goes flying off to the table, hits her head and falls.
“Ada!” more than one voice screams. As we rush towards her, Vince comes out of his sullen state and hits Enzo back. Enzo falls off him but continues trying to punch him. They continue taking jabs at each other.
Lexie has helped Ada to her feet, who is ready to cry.
But it is not from pain. She is upset at how the two of them are behaving.
“Guys stop. Ada is upset about it!” Lexie shouts but no avail.
As Vince kicks Enzo on his chest causing him to fall back and hit his hip on the table corner, something burns in Ada’s eyes. She straightens and then jumps and lands between the two of them.
Circle of Time: An urban fantasy (The Kazi Chronicles Book 1) Page 11
