in Craig’s group were fidgety and impatient for a fight, but by the differing expressions, I could see not all of them were enjoying the show.
“Why don’t you get off that bench and say something to my face?” Craig said to Levi.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Shut up, Craig.” I am horrible at peace-keeping.
Craig’s anger turned to me. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. You’re a whiny little boy, and we’re bored. All you do is talk.” I approached him and looked up, my nose just inches from him. I was just an inch taller than my tiny aunt Claire and twice as deadly, but unlike her, I wasn’t allowed to lose my temper.
Craig didn’t hesitate to put his palm on my face, and he shoved me into Morgan. I pretended to lose my balance, taking my friend to the ground. Morgan’s hands slapped hard on the cement. I allowed myself to fall onto my back, my legs still elevated just enough to hold Morgan to the ground.
Morgan began to say something, but I covered his mouth.
Levi looked down at me, shook his head, and stood.
I pushed myself up on my elbows. “You promised.”
“No, I didn’t.” Levi grabbed the side of Craig’s head and slammed it into the metal stand of the nearest lamppost.
Craig yelped, and half of his group gasped while the others jumped back. Only one brave friend stepped forward, readying himself to intervene.
“Kick his ass, Matt!” Craig grunted, his cheek still being ground into the metal.
I scrambled to my feet and jumped over Morgan to stand between Matt and Levi.
Levi raised his hand shoulder-high, and with his finger, he beckoned courageous Matt, inviting him closer.
I looked at Matt, pleading with my eyes. “Don’t do it.”
Matt looked at me and then shook his head, seeing the same death in Levi’s eyes that I did.
Levi leaned in toward Craig, whispering into his ear. Craig blubbered like a baby, and then Levi released him.
A few from the group picked up Craig off the ground, and they continued on, giving the three of us a wide berth.
“Whoa!” Morgan said, scrambling to his feet. He beamed at Levi. “That was fearsome! I mean … truly formidable. That dude couldn’t move! I’ve never seen anything like it in real life!” He turned to me. “Is that how you know him? Does he train with your uncle?”
“No,” I said. I had taken one for the team and kept from laying hands on the mortals, but I had failed in keeping Morgan from Levi.
Morgan breathed out a laugh, in awe. “She said you were dangerous! I can see why! Can you teach me that?”
“No!” I said, panic in my voice.
“What? Why?” Morgan said.
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward me. “He’s not nice, Morgan. He’s not my friend, and he’s certainly not yours. Stay away from him. Do you understand me?”
“Eden,” Morgan said, sounding too much like Grandmother when she’d chastise me.
“Me or him,” I spit out, desperate.
Morgan froze with his mouth open in a small O, his brows pulled in, his eyes dancing between Levi and me. “You,” he said, as if I were stupid for even giving him the choice.
“Great. Let’s go,” I said, pulling him by the arm.
I glanced back at the empty bench, knowing Levi was smiling somewhere in the shadows. I clenched my teeth. He couldn’t kill me, and he knew it. He was playing a game of wits, like chess—and I sucked at chess.
I looked over at Morgan and noticed him dragging his feet, finally realizing that I was walking and he was jogging. “Sorry,” I said, slowing down to a more comfortable pace.
“I’m sure you have your reasons.” He was breathless.
I let go of his shirt, pausing long enough for him to catch his breath, and then gestured for him to follow.
“Will you at least tell me why you dislike him so much?” Morgan asked.
I bit my lip, trying to think of something to say. I sighed. “He’s the spawn of Satan.”
Morgan’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, Eden. He must have done something really horrible to you.”
“Not yet.”
“Is he an ex-boyfriend I don’t know about?”
I stopped long enough to say, “I would rather die,” and then continued walking.
“You must really hate him, huh?”
“More,” I said. I turned toward where I’d parked the car.
Morgan followed me in silence.
When I shut the driver’s door of the Audi, that familiar burn filled my lungs. It wasn’t completely unpleasant, and that bothered me more than knowing Leviathan wasn’t just a step