Cursed (Enchanted Gods #1) - K.K. Allen Page 0,65
nature preserve.
As soon as the wildlife cloaks me from the eyes of any Normals who might be around, I speed up to a sprint, letting my feet carry me as far and as fast as I can go. I recognize the path and know I’m close to reaching the end. The view of the energy plant looms ahead when a dark hooded figure rounds the final bend.
My heart lurches the moment I see him. First, I wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here at this time of night. Second, I don’t need to see the figure’s face to know exactly who he is.
I slow my sprint to a jog then a walk, and he does the same. Neither of us stop until we’re a mere six feet from each other. He swipes the hood from his head and glares back at me. While I still have tons of energy, I’m surprised to find myself breathing heavily. I’ve even managed to produce a small amount of sweat.
“A little late for you to be frolicking around, isn’t it?”
It might be dark out, but I’m not oblivious to the way he runs his gaze over my black sports bra and spandex shorts. Annoyed by his casual perusal, I glare. “You talk a lot for someone who has nothing nice to say.”
His chuckle is so light and surprising that I almost don’t believe it came from him. “So much animosity.” He gives a small shake of his head. “You should be careful with that.”
I take a step forward to let him know I accept his challenge. “What do you know?”
He takes a step toward me. “I know that only someone out of their goddamn mind would go running out here after midnight. Why does it seem like you’re always looking for trouble?”
My mouth falls open. “Did anyone tell you the longer you stare, the harder it is to decipher the truth?”
His mouth tips up at the corner. “Never heard that one before, but I don’t have to look at you to know you’re up to something.”
“Well, I’m not.”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
I shrug as sarcasm drips through my veins. “Maybe because you’re an egotistical prick who can’t see past the angry wall he erects. Ever think of that?”
His jaw ticks, and I know my words stung. I wish I found pleasure in returning his jabs. I wish I could stop caring completely. But there are things about Johnny Pierce I’m desperate to understand, starting with his hatred for me.
“Yeah, well, at least I don’t bring trouble everywhere I go.”
I scoff. “Is that the real reason why you didn’t call me after my audition? Because you think I’m trouble? You keep saying it, so you must believe it.”
Johnny shrugs. “Not sure you’ve given me much else to go on. What does it matter anyway? The Grille isn’t the only job on the island. Go ask that grandma of yours to get you hired somewhere else.”
I can feel my jaw bulge with the grinding of my teeth. While I know he’s right, that isn’t how this is supposed to work. He has no reason to refuse me the job besides the unwarranted hatred he feels. “How old are you, anyway?” I ask.
His brows bend together as he searches my eyes. “Twenty-two. Why?”
I take another step forward so I’m directly beneath his gaze. “Just what I thought. The body of a man and the personality of a toddler.”
He leans down, anger flashing in the blue eyes, which are now pinned on mine. “Looks can be deceiving, can’t they, Kat?”
“You could say that.” My insides are shaking, my neck burning from the confrontation. I don’t even know what we’re talking about anymore.
“Go home.” This time his words are just a raspy whisper, but it does something to my insides. My eyes fall closed while my heart takes off with a frantic flutter. I open them again and suck in a deep breath. “I’ll go home when I’m done with my run.”
He narrows his eyes. “You’ll go now. It’s dangerous out here, especially at night.”
“The only thing dangerous out here is you, and I’m not afraid.”
“You should be.” Something besides anger flashes in his eyes, and it’s enough to cause me to back up a step. He matches my step, moving toward me, forcing me to step backward again. “Go home, Kat, before I take you there myself.”
I don’t know if it’s the fact that he won’t back down or because I truly am tired from my