Page 69 of Two Who Live On

“So then right there in the middle of my lecture, Tiffany drags her desk—which, mind you, is in the back of the classroom—all the way to the very front.”

“No.” I gasped. “Why?”

“Apparently, Duchess had important business to attend to, and Tiffany’s phone needed charging for said business, so naturally, she took it upon herself to find the only outlet in the room I hadn’t covered and proceeded to charge her phone.” Chanelle’s eyes widened, displaying her shock from said event, where the story danced in easy images along the surface of her mind. Much easier to follow than her voice right now. Had the music gotten louder?

In the memory, Chanelle had, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that while she wouldn’t argue with kids about their technology, she certainly wouldn’t compete during a lecture. She’d snatched the phone away with a telekinetic grip and hurled Tiffany, her desk, and the beaver all to the back of the classroom, where they remained floating until the end of the class.

“So, what’d you do next?” I asked.

I already knew, but telling the story brought so much joy to Chanelle, I figured it couldn’t hurt to hear it out.

“Well, having no time for bullshit or to be interrupted, I—”

“Don’t you two look lovely?” Milo’s voice bellowed throughout the tiny bar place.

I turned, spun, and swiveled around when he arrived. Entered. Walked at an oddly blurred angle. Blinking a few times, I soaked upthe sheen, fuzzy lights of the bar and thought maybe I’d gotten a bit tipsier than expected.

“Suddenly no one’s breathing down your neck?” I stepped toward Milo, tripping on the…the something on this damn carpeted place. Who had a carpet in a bar? Gross.

Milo caught me, and I tugged his tie, partially for leverage on my faltering balance and partially because I wanted to breathe down his neck. I blew hot air against his neck. Why was I doing that? I couldn’t remember, but it was fun, and his cologne had this intoxicating effect each time I inhaled, so I kept breathing on him. Milo chuckled, keeping a hand firmly against my lower back.

“Thought maybe you two could use a ride home.”

“Thanks, you damn clairvoyant.” Chanelle hiccupped. “But Kyle’s already here. I think.” She checked her phone and giggled. “Yup. And by the way, you still owe me enchanters, mister sneaky liar psychic person.”

“Hey, I’m psychic,” I said very proudly.

“Speaking of intuition.” Milo handed Chanelle two vitamin waters. “Maybe drink one before bed and one in the morning.”

Chanelle took the waters and stumbled out the door.

“Ugh. How bad is her hangover going to be?” I asked, slurring my words.

“No idea.” Milo guided me toward the door. His arms were so strong, and the floor practically disappeared with every step. “But I did see the two of you potentially having way too many drinks in an incredibly short period of time.”

“So you came here so we wouldn’t drive.” I nodded, having solved the mystery. “We had it covered. Chanelle called her husband, and I wasn’t talking to you because you had a case.”

“I didn’t have a case; you needed to talk.”

“I knew it. I said it. Said it loud, said it proud, and then said it to Kyle when we called for a ride.”

“You didn’t call Kyle—I did.”

“Huh?” I stumbled on the gravel parking lot as Milo walked me to his car. “Then who did we call?”

“No idea, but I’m sure they’ll enjoy whatever voicemails you left them.”

“Oops.”

Milo helped me into the front seat, and we drove back into the city. It was peaceful until it wasn’t. I ground my teeth. This was why I hated getting hammered. A few drinks helped take the edge off when thoughts rained in, but I couldn’t focus my channeling, which allowed every mind to pour in like a…like a water thing of death.

“Relax.” Milo grabbed my hand, interlocking his fingers while carefully keeping a steady flow of telekinesis on the steering wheel.

His thoughts synced to mine, creating a calming barrier from the onslaught of Chicago. I lay back in the seat of the car, allowing his gentle caress to lull me into sleep, unaware of the world outside, sinking deeper into Milo’s blissful mind before passing out.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

---