Page 20 of Oleander
We meet in the middle of the dance floor, grasping each other’s forearms so we don’t topple over with the force of our abrupt stop.
“Who the fuck was that asshole?” Skyler shouts at me, his eyes still glowing silver.
“My brother.”
“You have an identical twin on campus and didn’t think you should tell me?!” He’s yelling.
“Let’s go for a walk outside and talk,” I hold my hand out, waiting for him to place his inside.
Skyler finally notices the crowd of onlookers gathering around us, and it seems to knock some sense of urgency into him. He quickly places his hand in mine, and I tug him toward the tree line for privacy. Fae gossip too much.It’s infuriating.
We slip into the dark, dense forest so we can talk without prying eyes and ears. I don’t fear the creatures here, only those that dwell on the other side of the wall.
“Why are you wearing gloves? It’s not that cold.” Skyler’s intoxicated brain gets distracted from the main problem here.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner that I have a twin brother. I should have known he’d be at this important party, even if Hawk never liked him.” I steer Skyler back on topic with an apology.
“It’s fine. I mean, we just met. I don’t expect to know all of your familiar connections and darkest secrets right away, but why is he such a dick?”
My lip twitches, and I shrug. “It’s his whole personality at this point.”
Skyler tips his head back and laughs loudly, but it’s true, and I decide to get a little more serious. “I’m sure he also thought he could hurt me by kissing you.”
There’s an extended pause, and only the crickets chirping and distant party sounds can be heard.
Skyler swallows thickly, likely already knowing the answer to the question I’m sure he’s about to ask. “Why would he think that?”
“You’re extremely attractive and uniquely charming, Skyler. It’s no surprise someone would desire to kiss you.”
“Someone likeyou?” He steps closer to me, eyes full of lust, arousal, and alcohol-fueled determination.
Yes!I want to shout at him, back him against the tree behind us, and press my mouth to his. But I don’t. Because Ican’t. I want to so fucking badly it’s torment. His dark, wavy hair covers his ears except for the small diamond studs sticking out of the bottom. The bridge of his nose is dotted with freckles, and when he smiles, it’s magnetic and captivating. But most of all, I’m drawn to his aura.
I can feel the magic pulse under my skin, my runes glowing bright, infused with my mother’s magic and made of hyacinth ink, making each one extremely potent and volatile. Another reason why I must learn control. Not only does powerful magic live deep inside me, but also on the surface of my skin, as runes andpoison.
Distracted by my own toxic thought process, I don’t see Skyler reach toward the flowing blue ink on my neck until he nearly makes contact.
“Don’t!” I shout, jerking back in shock at what almost happened.
My emotions are unstable, which means my magic is turbulent and churning under the surface like a maelstrom waiting to sink a passing ship. The poison seeps from my pores, and the runes decorating my skin are ready to activate with a single thought or possibly even a touch.
I’m a ticking time bomb and a cumbersome burden. My mother should have left me in that tower for the next millennia and saved us all the trouble.
“Ander—” Skyler holds his hands up in surrender, distress clear in his features.
“No. You don’t understand, Sky.” For the second time in one night, I’m apologizing to him.“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t have invaded your space.”
I wish so badly that I could let him touch me, but at this moment in time, I justcan’t. I literally cannot.
We both look confused, hurt, and betrayed.
Skyler takes a step back, and the distance causes a physical ache that makes my heart skip a beat. Before I can utter a word to stop him, he spins around and races back to the party, getting lost in the crowd.
“Skyler, wait!” I run after him, but it’s no use. He’s gone. “Fucking fuck!” I curse, completely unlike myself, combing rough fingers through my hair. I should have told him, but something inside me yearns to benormaland have control of my magic. And the way Skyler was looking at me like he actually wanted to touch me was a heady and foreign feeling.
I desperately need to explain myself, but that should probably happen sober, which I’m long past tonight. Sighing with resignation, I make a quick stop at the bar and chug a ginger beer before heading for the trail. I hope the wisps are still there to guide me home. My bed is calling.
