Page 154 of The Kiss Of Death
Still broken, Grandma.
“Tara is organizing a rugby game on the field,” Sylas continued. That would explain why he was wearing a long polo shirt. “You know, Pioneer tradition and all. It’d be great if you could come?”
“I’ll be right back,” I said, clutching the phone to my chest.
He pulled me into a hug before heading off to the Pioneers’ sport fields while I replied to Grandma.
Me: I don’t know what to do.
Grandma: You love that troubled boy, you always have. And he loves you back. I won’t tell you what to do… I made your grandpa grovel a few months once he decided to leave for the army without telling me, but I’ll tell you what not to do. Don’t be sad. You’re finally free, my flower. You’re free to fly with your own wings now. We’ll probably end up broke, anyway, so it’s good that you’re not a materialistic brat.
Me: You take care of yourself, okay? If you need anything, I’m here. I’ll talk to Dad when I’m ready, but I can’t right now.
I sent the message and slipped my phone into my pocket. My eyes returned to Mom’s plaque, and I readjusted Levi’s silver-gray ribbon in my hair—the one I’d salvaged from the trash the moment I tossed it away.
A surge of determination fueled my steps as I briskly crossed the quad. Starting tomorrow, I’d work even harder than before on the audition. It was my turn to face my own ghosts now.
It was my turn to go to war.
Footsteps echoed behind me. I sensed his presence drawing closer. Glancing at one of the window’s reflections, I knew it was his face hidden behind his black hoodie. I attempted to brush off Levi’s presence and continued walking, but our steps synchronized, and soon enough, he was right beside me.
Give him a weapon, and at this point, he’ll be worse than the reaper, his shadow trailing me to take my soul.
Pressing on toward the Pioneers’ sports building, where Sylas orchestrated a team against Tara on the grassy field with Kay acting as the referee, I abruptly halted. “You’re following me.”
“Believe it or not, it’s a coincidence for once,” Levi claimed. “How have you been?”
“How have I been?” I snickered. “Are we really going to pretend nothing happened?” I locked my eyes on him, but he didn’t move an inch. “I know you’re that guy Checkmate. I know what you did.”
Silence lingered between us, broken only by the soft chuckles of passing students.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “I know you did it for me.”
I couldn’t bring myself to be cruel to him, just as I couldn’t force my heart to feel nothing for him. But rebuilding trust, like stitching back the fragments of a shattered heart, demanded patience and care to mend every rupture and stitch.
“I had to protect you.” He leaned in, and I instinctively retreated, not trusting myself to be so close to him. “I couldn’t tell you about my plan.”
“I know.” I swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in my throat. “But this can’t change anything. I have an audition to prepare for, and you…”
Levi’s lips stretched into a scowl, his eyes dimming. “Give us time.”
“This is my fight. If you take that away from me too, I’ll never forgive you.”
“So there’s still a chance for forgiveness, then?” He lowered himself to my eye level. “I’ll watch, my little thief. I’ll watch you set Pantheon’s opera on fire.”
Goose bumps erupted on my skin, and my heart played the most agonizing symphony. “I can’t get distracted.”
“I won’t distract you. I know you want to prove what you’re capable of on your own. Am I right?”
My breath caught, and I nodded, resenting how effortlessly he could read me. “So you won’t do anything?”
“Who am I to take your revenge away?” His eyes gleamed under the sun like pools of liquid silver as his finger twirled a strand of my hair. “I understand what it feels like.”
“Levi, I want you on my team!” Tara’s voice cut through the air.
I used that moment to step back, scanning the field for Yasmine amid the students gathered around the makeshift rugby field. No one wore their uniforms today since it was the weekend.
“Don’t bet on it. I don’t see what’s so fun about this sport.” Levi sighed.
