Beyond the Eyes: YA Paranormal Romance
Page 36
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The classroom was buzzing with conversation when I got there. I took my regular seat in the back and placed my backpack on the empty seat beside me. My ears were ringing, but I didn’t look up, even though I could feel his eyes on me. I unzipped my book bag.
“Paige, can I talk to you?”
I yanked my history book out and turned to him. He sat in the desk next to the aisle, leaning toward me, his right eye black from where Tree had hit him. Everyone seemed to be avoiding our area, but some were staring in our direction.
“I have nothing to say to you,” I said, but then he turned his head, and for the first time since that night at The Lion’s Den, I saw his eyes glow for a second. The hair on the back of my neck rose, reminding me I was conversing with an ancient dark spirit and not Matt.
And then something in me snapped. I was tired of this charade, pretending like I didn’t know who he really was, and I was sick of his stupid games. I had enough. I wasn’t playing anymore.
“I think you do,” he said, analyzing my face.
I leaned across the aisle, closer to him, and stared fearlessly at him. “I know what you are, and I think it’s pointless for me to continue pretending like I don’t,” I whispered.
He smiled. “I concur with you and actually prefer it that way.”
My eyes widened in surprise that he admitted to it, but they didn’t waver from his, and I asked him why he hadn’t attempted to kill me yet.
“I thought Aosoth already told you why,” he said, acting confused.
I gaped at him. “That’s her name?” I couldn’t believe he told me her name, and he knew what she had said to me about him. I wondered what else he knew.
“Yes.” He appeared to be enjoying himself. “You see, I started the fight on purpose so she could be alone with you. Just like now, Mr. Harrin’s time is being occupied with a phone call.”
My eyes darted to the round clock above the teacher’s desk, and I realized class should have started five minutes ago. As I looked around the room at the other students engaged in their own conversations, I noticed him observing me, like a specimen he couldn’t quite figure out. He had his head tilted to the side, watching my every movement. It gave me the creeps.
“You started the fight on purpose?”
He nodded. “Indeed.”
“What’s your purpose in all this, and why am I still alive?” My voice was harsh and demanding. I wanted him to tell me. I was even prepared to shake it out of him if I had to. Then I remembered my promise to Nathan. Damn. But we were surrounded by a bunch of people, so he couldn’t hurt me if it came down to it.
His eyes danced across my face. “Because I like you, and I’m curious to see what you can do once the change has been made. That is, if you’re still alive.” He smirked.
My temper flared. “This is a game to you?” I wanted to blacken his other eye, and imagined my fist smacking into it.
He shrugged. “If you want to look at it in that light, then yes. But it goes deeper, and I will not indulge you in those reasons at this time.”
God, he was annoying. “I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned about that damned ring. Your girlfriend seems to think I can find it. She even wants me to give it to her.”
He made a disgusted sound with his mouth. “Her vanity overlooks the true nature of my feelings for her. And on the matter of the ring, I believe you’re the key instrument on a grander scale in all of this. Who you are, and your lineage leaves no doubt in my mind, you’re the one who will tie the knots to the strings Solomon had cut, leading me to my glory.”
I laughed sarcastically at him. “I think you’re delusional.” I was about to say there was no way I would help him, but bit my tongue instead.
“Most humans are delusional,” he said, looking like he smelled something foul. “Their minds were made weak, their eyes blind, as soon as they entered this world. But I’m not.” He reached to touch my face, and I jerked back in my seat, glaring at him. His face softened, and he smiled. “I have to admit; I do miss your company.”
Right then, Mr. Harrin shot through the door, looking frazzled. I glanced at Matt, wondering what he had done. He shrugged innocently. I turned my attention to the front and didn’t look at Matt for the rest of the hour.
At the end of class, I handed my work in and rushed out the door before the “old one” had a chance to speak to me again. Nathan was waiting at my locker, happy to see me, but he became anxious when he saw my face. I wondered if I should tell him about my little confrontation with the “old one” and if he would be mad at me. I didn’t know. But I had to quickly make up my mind. I could tell by the looks he shot at me he knew something was up.
Chapter Fourteen
Disagreement