time we passed under a burning sconce on the wall, his chocolaty eyes changed to the color of the sap that dripped down Nana’s large oak on a sunlit day. I shuddered under his scrutinizing stare as a leaf barely hanging onto that oak in the last days of fall, my stomach full of fireflies.
We ended up in the basement. It wasn’t your normal basement. It was large with a high ceiling, decked out with overstuffed chairs, gaming tables, and pinball machines. Across one wall was a snack stand with an espresso bar. The girl attending it had long earlobes, small horns sticking out of her wide forehead, and cinnamon colored skin. She looked bored drumming her claw-like nails on the counter.
Spotting us, the girl straightened and flashed a sharp-tooth smile. “Hi there, Arik, you want a fireball as usual?”
“No thank you, Titania. Perhaps later.”
“Okay,” she said, slumping over the counter again and watching me with suspicious eyes.
“What’s a fireball?” I asked.
“Coffee with chocolate and hot spices,” he said. “You must try it. We’ll get one on our way back. It’ll burn the hair in your nostrils.”
Gross. “I think I’ll pass.”
Arik laughed. “Suit yourself, but it is amazingly delicious once you get past the first sip.” He stopped to open a wide wooden door leading into a tunnel with smooth rocked walls. The rubber soles of my Converse squeaked against the polished cement. “Where are we going?”
“I cannot say. We are not in private.”
“What do you mean?” I glanced over my shoulder, and then strained my eyes to see farther up the tunnel. “There’s no one in here but us.”
He lowered his voice. “The walls listen.”
“You mean have ears,” I corrected. He darted a puzzled look at me, so I figured it needed clarifying. “The saying. It’s the walls have ears.”
“Does it really matter?” He returned his eyes to the dimly lit path in front of us. “Since you felt compelled to correct me, I assume my meaning was understood.”
That shut me up. Pop was always on me about chastising others. I only did it because I would want to know if I was saying something wrong. I was about to apologize, but his body language made me speechless. Shoulders squared, jaw jutted out, he bounded for the door with a scowl on his face.
I stopped.
When he realized I wasn’t beside him any longer, he spun around and took two long-legged steps to me. “What’s the matter?”
“You’re mad,” I snapped, crossing my arms.
“We don’t have time for childish antics, Gia.”
“I don’t want to spend the afternoon doing whatever it is I’m doing with you while you’re angry at me.”
He took another step forward, and I backed up against the wall. His body was so close to mine, I was aware of every rise and fall of his muscles as he breathed. “We hardly know each other, yet you seem to be an expert on who I am. I couldn’t care less about petty things. When we walk through that door, we will be in the village. I must keep my focus. To guard you from any threats.” Was he referring to how I’d corrected him just now, or to yesterday, when I’d accused him of having a relationship with Veronique? Maybe both.
“I—um…”
“Splendid, you’re finally at a loss for words,” he said, and his gaze softened. “Besides, didn’t we agree to be friends the other night?”
Friends. Everything inside me collapsed like a house of cards. Either way, I’d obviously insulted him—whether he deserved it or not. But he’d also said he admired me and that he felt driven to protect me. The memory of his admission melted my frustration. When he looked at me, my stomach took off in a flight of wings. It’s because you like him, you dumbass. And you ruined it by opening your stupid mouth. Yet. Again.
“We did. We’re friends. Definitely friends.” Stop rambling, Gia. “So, friend, we should get to that top secret place of yours, don’t you think?” Ugh. I’m such a loser.
“Yes, we should.” He spoke so slowly, I was sure he thought I was an idiot. Mercifully, he moved out of my space, and my brain started working properly again.
At the end of the tunnel was another huge wooden door. Arik opened it by swiping a metal security-looking card into the lock. Sunshine blinded me as we stepped onto a cobblestone sidewalk.
Without a word, he led me down the roads winding through the small village. People crowded the street, carrying packages and dashing