hear these words aloud… I was still surprised.
Nodding slowly, I inched closer, leaving merely a breath between us. “Good. That makes two of us,” I said.
That was all he needed to close the deal and kiss me again. This time, the softness was replaced with hunger. Before I knew it, I was leaning back into the chair as Kalon deepened the kiss, his tongue challenging mine as our souls were drawn closer together. His fingers ran through my hair, his lips pressing and demanding more of me.
I sank and flew at the same time, as Kalon reiterated everything he’d just said with this second, all the more dazzling kiss. I breathed out when he pulled back, his eyes almost black as he peered into mine.
There was no need for words anymore.
Whatever this was between us, it was strong, and it burned with the intensity of a miniature sun. My very soul danced as he moved close again, dropping one last peck on my lips before he got up, beaming and wholly energized.
“I’ll go get my brother ready,” he said, his voice raspy. “I’ll see you outside in a bit.”
“The Visions are good to go,” I replied.
Everything we did together seemed to function like clockwork. Our synchronicity was as close to perfection as the universe might ever get. And this was only the beginning for us. I watched him go inside, listening to the sound of his footsteps up the wooden stairs.
I allowed myself a few more minutes on the porch, to simply bask in the deliciousness of his kiss. Despite my many travels, I had never felt this way toward anyone. It was a new emotion, and its intensity sometimes worried me. But Kalon had a manner of pulling me closer to him, even when I tried to get away. It turned out the impact was not as damaging as I’d thought it might be.
Grinning like the Cheshire cat, I finally got up and went inside. Light on my feet, I collected my backpack from one of the sofas. My arm hurt less, as did my side. I still had to be careful how I stepped, but as long as I walked on the tips of my toes, the pain shooting through my thigh remained at a dull and at best irritating level.
I headed toward the door, when Ansel’s voice echoed through the house.
“You’re a traitor to your kind!”
Kalon shushed him. “I told you to keep it down! Dammit, Ansel!”
The first sign of alarm was rearing its ugly head, I realized. Without even connecting all the dots I knew I’d need to form the bigger picture, I allowed my curiosity to take over. Kalon had shushed Ansel so I wouldn’t hear them. It probably meant that they had something to hide.
Given that we were fighting the Darklings, of whom Ansel was a part, I felt it was my duty to listen in. That meant violating some rules of privacy, but my earlier fears about getting my heart broken were getting louder, moving from the back of my head to the forefront of my conscious existence.
I snuck closer to the stairs and made my way up, carefully stepping so as not to make a single sound.
“For the millionth time, we’re going to talk about this when we get home,” I heard Kalon say, his tone clipped.
“Why? You’re afraid your lady’s going to find out?!”
He slapped Ansel hard. I froze on the spot, my heart beating so hard, it hurt my chest. What the hell was I witnessing? Moving higher up the stairs, I heard their voices with increasing clarity.
“I told you, Ansel! I told you not to get involved with them!” Kalon spat.
Ansel laughed. “You can’t tell me what to do. I took action. I reacted. I did what you’re clearly too much of a coward to do!”
Kalon slapped Ansel again. “I know my dealings with them better than you ever will. I specifically forbade you from getting involved, and here you are. Captured, about to be tried for treason. You absolute idiot.”
“I did my duty!”
“So did I. Only I didn’t get caught. Let me make it clear, Ansel. You will say nothing. No matter what she asks, you will keep your mouth shut. If you don’t, I’ll cut off your tongue. It will mean a whole month, at least, of me not having to listen to any more of your garbage, so mind yourself. Once we get home, we will talk. And you will not work with them again.”
“Or what?