Hopeless Magic (8 page)

“So, um, you’re whole team is here?” I looked around, hoping to be able to place the rest of their team, but my nerves were fried and it felt as though my magic was on the fritz.

“Yep,” Roxie mumbled through a fake smile.

“Where are you guys staying?” I returned her smile with a fake one of my own.

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“Here. We’re all staying here,” Roxie responded again, with an edge to her already tough demeanor.

“Like your team, or like all of the teams?” I asked, once again looking around the barn at all the new additions.

“Like everyone that’s in the Resistance,” Roxie answered my question harshly, obviously not concerned with being rude.

“Rox,” Fiona chastised gently. “I’m sure she has her reasons.” She gave Roxie a meaningful glance and her large green eyes pleaded with Roxie to be polite.

“I’m sure she does Fi. I just hope her reasons aren’t costing an entire race of people their future.” It was Roxie’s turn to give me a meaningful glare, one that pretty much had me shaking in my shoes. “Come on. Let’s go find your husband.”

Fiona didn’t even pretend to be polite anymore but brushed past me after her friend. I watched as they walked towards Avalon and Jericho and 115/711

other boys I didn’t recognize. I realized then that the rest of Avalon’s team was missing.

Fiona and Roxie were greeted with enthusiasm and I even noticed Avalon give Roxie a hug. She looked tiny in his arms, hardly dangerous at all.

Looks could be deceiving.

Fiona slipped her slender, ivory arm through another boy's and they took a moment to gaze into each other’s eyes. A thousand words passed silently between them and I recognized their unspoken language as unfailing love. A ball dropped in my stomach and I suddenly had a tremendous need to find Kiran.

I noticed Amory pull onto the gravel drive of the farmhouse and park his black Mercedes sedan next to Avalon’s. I practically ran towards him, hoping he would understand my need to flee. I couldn’t stand around this room while people continued to judge me. I needed to remind myself that there was a very strong, very tangible, very beautiful reason I had chosen not to join the 116/711

Resistance and the small politics of simple peer pressure were not enough to force my hand.

“Hey, Eden, come meet Ryder,” Avalon called out, already aware of my plans and hoping to dis-suade me.

“Maybe later,” I called over my shoulder and picked up my pace to meet Amory at his driver’s side door.

I enveloped Amory in my magical shield, keeping us dry and warm. He gave me a look of confusion that didn’t seem to fit his polished and well-dressed demeanor. He was not the type of man to feel confused.

“Amory, I know this is a big request, but could I borrow your car right now…. Please?” I was near tears and not entirely sure why, but if I could only get back into the city I was sure everything would be fine.

“Why Eden? Is everything ok?” When I shook my head in a frantic “yes,” his eyes deepened with concern. “Are you sure? I was hoping you could get to know everyone tonight. Immortals 117/711

have come from all over the world to protect you, my dear. I doubt they would find it very polite if you simply took off before being introduced.” He smiled, trying to reassure me; but it sounded more like guilting me into staying than anything else.

“It’s ok, I’ll just take Avalon’s,” I pushed past him and threw Avalon’s truck door open with my magic. “Can you bring him home tonight?

Thanks,” I spat out before Amory could say anything else.

I threw myself up and into the driver’s seat, starting the engine with a simple thought. I could hear Avalon screaming at me inside of my head, but did my best to repress him.

I was tired of being told what to do, or what to say, or what to think. I was sorry that Avalon was so everything they wanted and expected. But I was not Avalon, even if he was in my head, even if he was my twin, even if I’d just stolen his truck. I was my own person and this person did not want to join their freaking Resistance.

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I sped down the gravel road, reminding myself more and more of my twin brother, driving haphazardly at an alarming rate. I took a big breath and allowed the magic to take control. I then opened my palm and willed my cell phone into my fingers.

I was tired of the Resistance, and I was tired of people trying to
protect
me. What better way to spite them all then to find the one person that was against everything they stood for, the one person I was utterly in love with. My mind was wholly focused now; I was nothing but determined to be wrapped in Kiran’s arms before I internally im-ploded from frustration.

8.

I skidded parallel into a parking spot across from Kiran’s building. On the drive from the farmhouse to downtown Omaha I had practically mastered my magical driving ability. There were a few rough patches on the interstate, but no cas-ualties, so I called my drive a success.

Having gotten even more worked up on the forty-five minute drive from the middle of nowhere to the upscale part of down town Omaha known as the Old Market, I could not wait to see Kiran.

I hesitated a few more seconds before leaping from Avalon’s oversized truck. The last of Kiran’s guard disappeared around the corner and subsequently a light was turned off in Kiran’s loft apartment and replaced with a candle, a sign that the coast was clear.

I reached for the keys from the ignition and realized too late that I didn’t use any, I had used magic. Bracing myself against the whipping wind 120/711

and icy rain, I opened the door and dashed across the wet and slippery, brick street. There was no using a shield of magic in the middle of a crowded city.

Kiran buzzed me in before I even had a chance to push the button and I magically dried myself and clothes on the way to the elevator. I danced around the lobby anxiously, waiting for the elevator to reach the ground floor. Biting my lip and holding back tears of frustration, the only thought I allowed myself to think was of Kiran and Kiran alone.

The elevator doors opened and to my surprise he was waiting on the other side. I jumped into his arms immediately, not allowing one second of separation between us. My mouth found his instantly and a sense of overwhelming security washed over me. Hot tears finally escaped the tightly closed corners of my eyes, while Kiran’s touch melted away my fears and frustrations.

Albeit a little surprised, Kiran reciprocated my passion with his own and soon our magic was 121/711

mingling together in a swirl of frenetic energy.

One of his arms gripped me tightly around my waist, pulling my body close to his in inseparable proximity; his other tangled its way through my hair. My lips refused to leave his.

The elevator came to a stop once again on the top floor and the doors opened into Kiran's penthouse apartment. I regretfully relinquished my hold on him and quickly turned around to hide my embarrassing display of emotion. I entered the classy, modern apartment that took up the entire top floor of the apartment complex. The exposed brick and cork floors gave the loft space a warm and inviting feeling despite the sparse furniture and manly touches.

The space had several rooms and at least two bathrooms to accommodate not only Kiran and Talbott, but a handful of other Titan guards. If that weren't bad enough, I'd been informed Sebastian had also joined them until other arrangements could be made. Kiran was close behind me, hands gently on my waist.

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"That was quite the greeting," I could hear the smirk through his crisp, English accent, and my own version of his signature expression crept onto my face. This was what home felt like, being with the one I so wholly loved.

"It's been so long since we've been alone, what did you expect?" I sighed deeply and contentedly, turning around in the middle of Kiran's living room to let him envelope me in his embrace again. I couldn't think of any reason to leave his strong arms, ever.

"What's the matter, Love?" Kiran rested his chin on the top of my head and I appreciated his sensitivity but there was no way I could have possibly shared my issues, it would have given way too much away about the Resistance.

"I'm just tired," I faked a yawn before nuzzling myself deeper into his arms. "And hungry," I finished, realizing that was not a lie.

"How about some crisps?" Kiran left my side, leaving me suddenly cold and insecure. I followed him like a puppy dog into the kitchen and 123/711

took a seat at the high top table just off to the side of the designer kitchen that I was almost positive was never used.

"What are crisps?" I asked amused, watching Kiran rummage around in the walk-in pantry. It was obvious he was not used to fetching his own snacks.

"Oh, right. Um, I think you call them po-ta-to chips," he over-pronunciated, as if the words were part of an actual foreign language. Then he turned around with a triumphant smile on his face and arms laden with bags of Doritos.

"Yes, that's what we call them," I smiled back, a little patronizingly.

"I heard Seraphina gave you quite the mouthful today. Is that why you skipped out on the rest of classes?" Kiran took the seat next to me, intertwining our knees and opening a bag of crisps to munch on. He put an arm around my shoulder, and rubbed my back soothingly.

His small gestures were so charming that I was swept away with adoration. I knew that his extra 124/711

effort made it difficult for him to eat, but I couldn't help feel a little bit smug that Kiran Kendrick couldn't keep his hands off of me. I looked up into his eyes, a deep ocean of aqua blue, gazing at mine intensely and I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Oh, no, Avalon and I were on our way out already," I explained, realizing too late I should have used the excuse Kiran so perfectly set up for me. I watched his eyes flinch with jealousy and his smirk turn instantly into a frown.

"Why?" he grunted, trying to cover his own reaction.

"Well, I mean, we were on our way to the gas station. I really wanted, um, I really wanted licorice," I fumbled through a ridiculous lie. "I really wanted some junk food, and then yea, I guess after Seraphina verbally and emotionally abused me, I didn't really feel like returning to be tortured some more. I mean it's complete hell watching her claim you all day!" My voice turned into a whine and although I was using a 125/711

little bit of misdirection to take the heat off of me, there was complete truth behind my complaint. "She's all, 'Oh, Kiran, I love you,' and touching you and, and I just hate it," I finished gruffly, crossing my arms and looking away from his piercing gaze.

"Come here," he whispered sweetly, and I obeyed without any hesitation. He pulled me into his arms and I inhaled his sweet, herbal scent. "I hate it too. I can't stand pretending this way. And I honestly hate, leading Seraphina on like this as well. The poor bird still thinks she'll be queen one day," he kissed my forehead and an emotion stirred deep inside of me, something like foreboding.

"Won't she?" I asked out of insecurity.

"Absolutely not. Why? Is that what you're worried about? That I'll choose her over you?" Kiran pulled away so that he could look directly in my eyes again.

I nodded, but was unable to give him a verbal response. Hot tears stung my eyes again and 126/711

blinked rapidly to stop them from overflowing down to my cheeks. I bit my bottom lip harder, refusing to give in to such a human emotion.

"Eden, must I remind you that I love you?" I nodded again and a sweeter version of his smirk rose to his lips. "I do love you Eden, with all that I am. I don't believe there has been a more perfect love to ever exist in all of eternity, in fact. And I plan on sharing the rest of that eternity with only you," he leaned in to give me a warm, passionate kiss on the lips. When he sat back again, my fears were somehow lessoned. "Right now, might not be the best time to introduce you to the parents, but I will soon, I promise. I will tell my father that I've chosen you and that Seraphina will have to use some other royal family member to get herself a crown. I just think the best thing to do right now is to put some more distance between your scene at the Festival and my change of plans for the kingdom."

I smiled at him, but it felt weak and unassuring.

He wiped away a tear that had slipped 127/711

unforgiveably down my cheek. The warmth of his magic left my skin hot underneath his delicate touch. I smiled more sincerely, despite myself and was reminded of why I loved him.

"So you will introduce me to your family?" I asked tentatively. It may have been an impractic-all request, especially because when Kiran's father, Lucan, discovered my true identity he would either straight up kill me, or use me as bait to kill my parents. But the truth was, I was longing for his parents' approval.... How very normal, yet irritating of me.

"When more time has passed, yes, I would like nothing more than to introduce you to my family as my girlfriend," his smile widened and I lost myself in the perfection of his happy expression.

"Good," I mimicked his smile. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask you...." I paused, realizing the probable outcome of the question I was about to ask, "I've been meaning to ask you what your plans were for Thanksgiving?"

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"Thanksgiving? I don't have any plans for Thanksgiving. I don't celebrate Thanksgiving."

He said plainly, with a touch of amusement in his voice.

"Oh right, sometimes I forget you're not American," I smiled, embarrassed.

"Eden, obviously that's true. But that's not the reason I don't celebrate it. On my last count, no Immortal celebrates the holiday. Our history with America goes much further back than that bloody Columbus; we don't need to celebrate Thanksgiving, we have more important holidays," Kiran waggled his eyebrows. His signature smirk was back on his lips.

"Oh right," I sighed with exasperation. "Like Fall Equinox and Halloween and what's next, the um, the Winter Solstice? Those aren't real holidays."

I stood up from the table and walked over to the stainless-steel refrigerator. Pulling extra hard on the door handle, I closed my eyes and let the cool air wash over me. The refrigerator was exactly what I expected it to be, empty, save for several 129/711