their proper places when deep down, they now wanted to explore and intertwine with the man who had ignited a hidden power within us.
What is this power? Where is it coming from? Is it due to our connection? Our closeness? What the hell is going on?
I thought the intense connection I'd experienced with Zeke was only due to our strong dark elements, but now in this silent moment, I was feeling that vibrating energy between Zackery and me, too.
If I don't pull away now...I may not want to later.
"Kill. Kill. Kill!"
We both flinched at the close sound, both of us moving apart from one another and looking to our left where Shadow Jade stood.
She stared at Zackery for five seconds, analyzing him carefully before she disregarded him and gave me her full focus.
"Jade!" She wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back but was silent, still riding an energy high while I tried to wrap my mind around what had just happened.
"There you are!"
Tanner emerged from down the hall, only looking confused when his eyes landed on the three of us. "What are you two doing here when class started ten minutes ago?" he questioned.
Ten minutes ago? We'd been fifteen minutes early to class. You're telling me twenty-five minutes went by? It felt like minutes. Not THAT many minutes.
"Me!" Shadow Jade looked at Tanner, who groaned. "And you too, Shadow Jade."
"Tanner." My voice was serious. "Did you pass by anyone down that hall?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at him.
"What? No. I've been chasing Shadow Jade, who's been running all over the place saying she was chasing something,"
"Bad. Kill. Kill. Kill!" Shadow Jade declared vehemently.
The three of us looked at her. "Looks like your twin noticed the person who set this trap," Zackery announced.
"What trap?" Tanner looked between us.
"Do you mind if we take this conversation to the office? I hate to admit it, but I need to sit down," I confessed.
It wasn't that I was tired, but I was a tad light headed. It happened with individuals who had multiple elements. They needed a balance, or all sorts of things happened.
"Let's go to the office," Zackery declared.
I took a few steps forward but was swept off my feet by a wind spell, the gentle cool breeze wrapping around me and carrying me.
Zackery’s playful grin was back, and he took two steps forward; the wind lowered my body into his hold.
"I'll be a gentleman and carry you."
"I never asked for your help," I clarified.
"I'm aware. I'm doing the chivalrous thing," he stated proudly.
Tanner looked disgusted. "Shouldn't you be carrying her twin, too," he said in a bored voice.
Zackery slowly looked at Shadow Jade, who blinked innocently. She lifted her hands up. "Piggyback!"
She ran around us, while Zackery groaned. "Hold on! That's not fair. I was trying to be cool and seduct-OW! Shadow Jade....you're going to choke me."
"'I could have just walked," I concluded.
"He's carrying you for a reason," Tanner whispered.
I looked at him, noticing his frown as he looked behind us. I wasn't sure what he was staring at, but from his comment, I knew someone was watching.
Someone's trying to eliminate me. Ugh...this should be an easy cat-and-mouse game. Yet they were powerful enough to spring this intense trap from far away. Whoever is targeting us is not an inexperienced person.
"Mr. Maxwell, call your brothers and ask them to join us in the office. We need to talk."
"Understood," Zackery replied.
He began to carry both of us, me in his arms and Shadow Jade on his back.
I looked up at him, noticing his eyes were scanning the area, a darkened seriousness to them. He looked upset, as if something bad had happened, but we both were okay.
No one had gotten hurt. Yet, he looked as though we'd lost a challenge.
"Zackery?"
"Hmm?" He looked down at me, and I stared up into his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He smiled slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm just annoyed we were in that tight jam. Sorry about...uh..." He took a peek at Tanner, who was walking ahead.
"It was nice." I knew he was referring to our rather intimate touching, which was a lot more pleasurable than I’d expected.
It made me wish I had been able to focus on his actions rather than deal with chasing the mysterious enemy who tried to annihilate us.
That made Zackery truly smile. "Do I get a brownie point for trying to be cool?"
"You do." I winked. "We'll have to reserve that for another quiet opportunity," I whispered.
"Hope