Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,14

and soft sheets, but I’m too restless to fall asleep.

I wait until I don’t hear a sound in the hallway and slip out. If I can’t sleep, then I might as well do a little exploration. The beach house is spacious and light. Big glass windows give anyone in the house an unobstructed view of the ocean. It was the first issue I pointed out to Mr. X. Any onlooker from the beach would be able to see us as well. I forgot that Mr. X wasn’t born yesterday though. Those windows are mirrored from the outside.

I walk closer to them, losing track of time by just watching the waves crash against the turf and then slowly recede back. It wasn’t that long ago that Daisy almost drowned in those waters. I was able to save her then, but if anything were to happen to her now, I’d be useless. A boulder sits on my chest, caving it in. I meant what I said to her. I’m another deadweight attached to her ankles, dragging her down. She won’t let go of her sister, understandably so, but she should cut me loose. She doesn’t need me.

I flatten my palms against the glass, leaning forward until my forehead meets the smooth surface. “Fuck. What am I going to do?”

“Rufio?”

Warmth spreads through my chest, easing the heaviness. Daisy’s voice is like a caress against my bruised heart. I almost think she’s just a figment of my imagination. I didn’t sense her approach, after all. But when she stops next to me, understanding dawns on me. I’ve lost my sensitivity to auras along with my powers. An elephant would have been able to sneak up on me and I wouldn’t see until it was right in front of my face.

“You couldn’t sleep either, huh?” she continues.

Wordless, I push myself off the window and turn around, ready to leave. But she grabs my arm, halting me. “Don’t go. Please.”

“What do you want from me, Daisy?” I ask without making eye contact.

“I want you to look at me, for starters.”

With a heavy exhale, I do as she asks. And like a sandcastle, my heart crumbles into a pile of dust. Her beautiful hazel eyes are filled with regret and guilt, which only makes me feel worse.

“Stop that,” I say.

“Stop what?” She releases my arm.

“Stop feeling guilty for what you did. It wasn’t your fault.” She takes a step back, but I can still see her lips quiver. “Damn it, Daisy. Don’t you dare cry on me.”

“Quit telling me what to do or how I should be feeling!” With a jerky swipe of her arm, she dries off a rogue tear that escaped her eye.

I turn away, pulling my hair back hard until it hurts. I welcome the pain. “I can’t deal with your torment on top of everything.”

“Please don’t shut me out, Rufio. I’m hurting too, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” She steps closer and places her hand on the middle of my back. “I’ll find a way to restore your powers, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

I pivot on the spot, reaching for her arms. “I won’t allow you to risk your life for me, Daisy. You’ve done enough.”

She winces at my words, and I don’t understand the reason. What I’m asking her is not that farfetched.

“I know I’ve done plenty. I unmade you.”

Fuck. That’s what she thinks I meant?

I cup her cheeks between my hands. “No. That’s not it. You’ve helped us plenty. You’ve risked your life to save us even though none of us deserve it.”

“Shut up. Don’t say that. And I already told you that you can’t order me around. If I want to risk my life to save yours, I will.”

“Why are you so stubborn?” I press my forehead against hers, breathing in her sweet perfume.

The heady scent goes straight to my head, making me dizzy, but not because she’s stealing my powers. There’s nothing left for her to take. I’m unsteady for different reasons. My craving for her has not diminished. If anything, it’s grown exponentially, and now there’s nothing deterring me from claiming her. I bring my lips to hers, prying them open hungrily. It’s been too long since I could kiss the girl I love like this, and I plan to savor every second of it.

Daisy curls her fingers into my shirt, bringing me closer to her. Her tongue mingles with mine with the same urgency. I run my fingers through her hair,