Page 54 of Psync
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The blow to his psyche was staggering and nearly sent Haruka to knees, but he found his footing immediately. Eli needed him. Now.
And this time, the pull was telling him which way to go.
He followed the pull to the library at a dead run, ignoring the indignant shout from the librarian as he tore through the lobby and made for the stairs. On the third-floor landing, the pull increased and then cut off abruptly at the same time a faint cry rang out from the other side of the door.
Haruka nearly took the door off its hinges.
“Don’t be a fucking tease, Eli.”
Ash’s voice directed Haruka to the back of the stacks.
When he came around the last bookshelf, he saw Eli crumpled across a table, cradling his head. Ash hovered over him as he pawed at Eli’s shirt.
Haruka saw red.
Chapter Twenty-One
Eli
Why did he have to be like this? Why was he such a trouble magnet?
Eli’s week already sucked far beyond the telling, and all he wanted was a few minutes of sleep before he went back to Nate’s room to pretend to sleep. Now this?
He knew Ash had been acting weird that morning during their workout. He’d been even handsier that usual, and his flirting had been off the charts. Eli was completely over it and told him he didn’t have time to work out with him anymore.
For a second, Eli saw a glimmer of rage in his eyes before he’d covered it with an easy smile.
He recognized that look far too well. Ash was affected by the Thing. Whatever effect Eli gave off that drew in people who only wanted to fuck him or hurt him now had a hold on Ash.
Which meant Eli now had two people to avoid on campus. Perfect.
He just hadn’t expected Ash to move so quickly on his desire.
Which was why he’d been rudely awakened in the one place he’d felt safe.
One minute he’d been dozing dreamlessly and the next he was pinned on his back against the desk he’d been sleeping on.
“Ash! What are you doing?” Eli pushed against the chest pinning him down.
“Nothing you don’t want.” Ash gave him a smile that was different than his usual carefree grin. This one was hard and had a hint of teeth.
“I don’t want this.” Eli said, pushing at Ash with all his might. The man didn’t budge. His inner alarm was going off the charts, sending Eli’s already battered nervous system into a complete meltdown. Eli’s body began to shake—a sure sign he was about to start shutting down.
That couldn’t happen here. Not now. There was no one on this floor, it was late enough that most sane people were out having fun or sleeping. Only Eli was dumb enough to be somewhere he could be easily cornered alone and helpless.
“You don’t want to do this. Let me go right now and I won’t do anything, but if you don’t, I’ll get campus security.”
“Once I’m done, you won’t want to call them. I promise, you’ll like this.”
How the fuck was Ash getting any hint of desire from Eli? He’d lost touch with reality. Which meant Eli was fucked.
Which also meant he had nothing to lose, so he bit Ash. Hard.
He tried to bolt while Ash swore and clutched his hand, but Eli didn’t get far. Ash grabbed Eli’s injured hand and pinned it to the table. Then he slammed Eli’s head against it for good measure.
Things were muffled and hazy after that. Eli felt the pressure and pain leave his battered hand and heard a sharp cry and a crash. Then nothing but numbness and a ringing in his ears.
