Page 21 of Marked Resistance

“I had a feeling. When we…”

“Fucked.”

“Yes. When we fucked, the heat between us was more than I could bear. I thought it was just passion.”

“It was.”

“Then why?”

Xavier paused in his tracks and I did the same. He squared his shoulders to mine, and I looked up into his eyes. The glint of the moon’s light allowed me to see into his very soul.

“We’re drawn to each other, Zenobia,” he professed. “Fire seeks out fire so it can spread.”

I couldn’t move. His words, his voice, and his stature all captured me. I was a prisoner of this man. “I…I don’t know why I feel like this with you.”

“I craved you that night, Zenobia. Like I’m craving you right now. It’s taking every ounce of strength within me not to rip your clothes off and ravage you right here on the forest floor.”

“Then, why don’t you?”

Xavier released his spell on me by dropping his head. We continued our journey down the path, though his steps were small. “You know why. We have a mission, and this is exactly what I mean. My desire for you can’t trump my rationale.”

He’s as conflicted as I am.

“If I’m such a weakness, then why don’t you have me reassigned?”

The strength in his voice returned. “I told you, you’re not a weakness, Zenobia. I think you could be the strongest Wildfire I’ve ever known. And I’m going to train you.”

“I told you, I’ve already been through training. The training at Dobgar was— “

“Shit. The training at Dobgar was shit. We learn more about our abilities out here in the field than they could ever show us. When we have to hunt humans, who’re fighting for their lives. When we have to defend ourselves against not only the rival clans but our own clan members. That’s when you truly learn your limits. And that’s how Ilanis was able to beat you. She’s had to face her limits and learn from them. You haven’t.”

“And what are my limits?”

“Honestly? I don’t think you have any.”

My jaw dropped.

“But something’s holding you back.”

I shook my head. “You know all this about me from one random night in a bar and a file from Command?”

Xavier turned to me and his eyes darkened. The look on his face made my heart race.

“I know this about you because the same flame burning in your chest roars for you in mine.”

My legs trembled.

“I’ve learned to listen to it,” he continued.

“What’s it saying?” I whispered.

Xavier stepped so close I could feel his breath on my lips. “It’s telling me that you are a singular fire so bright, you could illuminate this whole forest if you wanted to.

A smirk formed on Xavier’s lips, and then he turned and resumed walking. I bit my lip and joined him.

“I’m going to clue you in on something you probably didn’t know.”

“What?” I asked, trying not to let him notice my attempts to catch my breath. I hated this game we were playing. He was so self-assured and relaxed, in control at all times while butterflies danced around my stomach like a high school prom.

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