Page 51 of Rebirth Of Order
“That’s not the worst part.” She steps closer to him yet still engages me. “The toy we were using, Ethan ripped from his hands, shoved it inside his mouth, then disappeared. Now he’s out in the middle of nowhere with my vibrator. My favorite vibrator. Limited edition with two heads simultaneously rotating in separate ways, and pulse action,” she bellows in his direction, and that does it. A roaring laugh bursts from me as I hunch over, letting it ring throughout my room. “It’s not funny. I have to wait until next year for a chance at getting another one.” She plops on my bed and groans. My composure returns, and I face Ethan.
“Go get him.”
“Would you like to join him?” he says firmly. Refusing to press my luck, I let it go. At least he isn’t dead, so that is a win.
Ethan walks into my closet unannounced and comes back with a pair of clothes.Uh what the fuck.“Excuse me, who gave you permission to do that?” Black sweatpants and a hoodie sit folded within his grasp. Handing them over, I notice he also picked out some underwear. A pair of white lace cheekies that dips into a ‘V’ at the front and back. Basically, something only meant for my man. If I was dating anyone.
“No one wants to see you naked, Kyra, cover up,” he criticizes, extending them out for me to grab, and my pride shatters into pieces.
“Well, it’s not like I wanted you to see me naked anyway. And you don’t get to touch my underwear, Ethan!” Snatching them away, my cheeks redden with embarrassment as he frowns in confusion. “Boundaries, dude, learn them.” Pouting, I head back into the bathroom and change. Through the door, I hear Angie’s laughter.
“That’s what you get. Now we’re even,” she says, amused.
As I reenter my room, she points in the living area’s direction where he stands against the wall, looking out my window with folded arms. She is obviously still pissed, based on her fingers typing a mile a minute against her phone’s keyboard, so for now, I let herbe.
“You can leave now that she’s back.” Entering the living area, I address Ethan. He remains stagnant and unfazed by my request to vacate, trained on something lingering outside as he scowls from the sight. I approach, inspecting what has him ignoring me, and find Raine walking away from my dorm.What was he doing over here?
“Fortunately for you, a contract with Alex secures your life until we get answers, so for now, you’re safe.” This stops me from walking away and messaging Raine. Yep, I’ll never let my guard down around Ethan again. “I’ve come to ensure Angie remains overnight just in case Holland has malicious plans. No one is taking your life–that right is reserved solely for me.”
I’m taken aback at how he can stand here and dictate who gets to end me as if I’ll sit still and allow it. “No one has dibs on my life. Not glooms, Holland, and sure as shit, not you. I don’t care how strong you claim to be. I’m not afraid of you or them.” Terror and courage fight it out internally as my chest tightens from the thought of too many things wishing me dead. The way he masks how he truly feels when face to face with me is psychotic. Never a hint of hatred until he speaks it. A true predator of the most dangerous kind.
He finds me through the window’s reflection and emits a golden glow. “We will see about that.” He vanishes into the brightness of his sigil. I’m relieved he left quickly because how the fuck do I respond to that. Every pleasant or cordial moment between us shatters once he reminds me how much I’m worth in his eyes. Which is jack-shit.
I enter my room, not giving his threat another thought and force back the dread upsetting my stomach. “He’s gone,” I say, plopping on the bed beside Angie. “How’d he find you anyway?” She rotates her arm, revealing a small golden mark on the back. A symbol of sorts, rather a smaller version of the sigil he uses to transport. “What’s that exactly?”
“A summoning sigil.”
“Come again.”
“He’s able to find me anywhere with this.” Her tone is annoyed.
“So, a tattoo he uses to summon you? That’s fucked up.”
“No, not a tattoo. It’s one of his sigils. He placed it there without my knowledge,” she says, exasperated, “and it only transports him to me. I found a way to block him, but just when I was reaching a climatic high, my magic weakened, and I assume that’s what broke the spell.”
“Damn, that sucks.” Having another look at her arm, I continue, “I wonder if he placed one of those on me.” I look over my own arm for any signs of his markings.
“Doubt it. It’s not like you can disappear whenever you want too.”
“That’s true.” Giving up my search, I’m stunned at her realization that I’m practically trapped here.
“I guess since he’s like your brother, it comes with the territory. I understand him overstepping.” Placed in her shoes, I’d be equally mad if not more.It’s been over a year since the last time I was intimate with anyone. I can only imagine not being able to release because someone intervened.“Tell me about this affinity bond between you and me.”
Chapter 12
A needle in a Faystack
KYRA
The sun continues its slumber,yet here I stand in the middle of the Assistant Dean’s office, missing the warmth of my blankets, awake much earlier than anyone should be allowed. A letter appeared inside my room after meeting with Angie last night. Literally out of thin air. We had gathered to continue our plans of me remaining at Rebirth, but much like the previous nights, it ended with no results.
We have absolutely nothing to go from, so finding an answer is near impossible. What worsens my dilemma is classes start soon, and I can’t leave, making my stress level flow past its brim. Time is running out, and those wanting me dead have itchy fingers.
Speaking of death, Ethan’s unannounced visits have ceased. In fact, I’ve only seen him a few times since the Awakening, and here we are on day three. I’m not sure if it’s a blessing or something more alarming, either way, his death stares surely aren’t missed.
Each night peaceful sleep eludes me, not that I’m staying up in anticipation of his arrival, but I struggle to fall asleep. When I do, my dreams are active. Or rather nightmares. Every night presents a more dire purgatory to sleep through, dealing with the Awakening’smassive failure. In the first, Holland was victorious in kicking me out and sending me back. But somehow, I retained my memories, only to live knowing I’d never see Angie, or anyone else, again.
The following night, Ethan killed me. A slow death. Much more vivid than the many descriptive ways he felt inclined to voice. Fulfillment spread wide over his features with each slice of his blade and snap of my bones. His enjoyment hurt more than the agony I was forced to endure. An everlasting hatred. Sweat coated me fully as he swung for the killing blow, and I lurched from my sleep, downing iced coffee for the remainder of that day. The remnant of his blade still haunts my skin, and I can only pray a peaceful slumber welcomes me tonight.
