Page 36 of Tainted Gifts
I walk away, refusing to meet Kellan's eyes or Jase's either. After pulling my shirt over my head, I drop it to the ground. My head is absolutely killing me right now. So much so, that I feel like getting away. For some reason, I feel the urge to head north, see what's waiting for me.
Just the mere thought of heading away makes my headache somewhat better. Maybe I should try it. I've got so much vacation time built up. I'll do this, and then I'll head up there when the council rules in favor of Kellan.
After blurring around to get into my swimsuit, I find the lake. It's not very inviting, with the creepy creature eyes of the dark staring at me. We drove all day, barely stopping here at all. We've got two hours before we have to leave again.
I dive in, ignoring the strange birds warning me away with their squawks. The water is so fucking cold, and it feels incredible. Holy shit I could live here.
It doesn't offer me the reprieve Jase's touch brings, but it's better than nothing. At least I'm not on fire right now, though my head is still banging.
I start floating on my back, ignoring the splash of someone joining me. I'm sure everyone is burning up by now, so I'm not surprised someone else needs the cool water as well.
Strong hands rip me up, and my legs wrap around the waist of the dirty blond hybrid hiding the same secrets as I am.
"Hot?" I muse, completely avoiding talking about what just happened.
"Incredibly."
I force a smile and bring my arms around his neck. As his lips find mine, I hear several other splashes.
"I guess we weren't the only ones," he chuckles out, our lips moving apart.
I hear a familiar voice calling to me, and I duck under the water, hiding like a child who doesn't want to be found.
"Where's Aria?" Simone asks, apparently finding Kellan.
The water muffles their sounds, but I can still understand their conversation.
"She-" he stops when I grab the firmest part of his body, and his breath catches. "You just missed her."
I cling to him, ready to hurt him terribly if he gives me up.
"Jase said she's pissed, but it's stupid. I was just hot. Tell her to find me. She should know better than to think I would do anything with him."
Sleeping in his arms is bad enough, traitor.
"Sure. I'll tell her, but she won't believe you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she scoffs.
"Well, you've been looking at me like an unwrapped present all day. Then you climb into bed with her ex... it doesn't exactly look good."
Shit. Don't grill her, you asshole. Let her leave.
I wish he could read my mind right now. I grip him tighter, telling him what I can't say aloud. He just gets harder under my hand, which tells me I'm only turning him on - not hurting him.
Great.
"I haven't been... I never... You're putting shit in her head, you bastard."
"Aria is the one who brought it up. Personally, I'm used to it."
He's damn lucky I don't need air to survive. I'd be kicking his ass twice as hard if I did.
My foot feels something that draws my attention away from the awkward conversation they're sharing. I swim down without disturbing the water over me, and I start feeling the oddity with my hands instead of my feet.
It's a line... a power line. Underwater?
I lose all interest in Simone's denial as I start pulling myself with the line, following where it leads. I haven't got long before we have to load up and go, but I can't help but be curious. Who would have an insulated power line laid under water?
