Dracian Legacy (11 page)

“You okay?” Dean asked.

“Yeah… Yeah.”

Disappointment nagged at me. I let my body sag back down. Maybe this was just another of my stupid fantasies. Once again, my hope, my stupidity, my emotions let me down.

Why would Axel care?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The cold early morning air whipped over my face and sweaty neck. My heart raced and my breathing became harder. I ignored the pulsing pain in my thighs as I pushed myself faster and harder. It had been so long since I ran the trail at Cantbury—nineteen miles of pure bliss, nature, and hills. Even for a seasoned runner like me, this trail could be a challenge.

The sun rising in the east just above the horizon blinded me.

“Princess, this is kinda early for a jog, don’t you think?” Tyler said, coming up from behind.

I stifled a scream. “Damn it, Tyler! You scared me shitless. What’re you doing here?”

“Running. Duh.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes and picked up my pace. “Well, as long as you don’t hold me back.”

He ran past me. “Me? I hope you can keep up.”

“Show off,” I yelled, trying to catch up.

He chuckled.

It was hard for me to grasp that Tyler was a Dracian. I was still trying to come to terms with the whole magical world thing.

“Please… Like you’re any competition.” I pushed myself to run at my full speed to keep up.

“Were you following me?” Not that Tyler had any reason to, but I’d never run across any teenager running this trail this early in the morning. Who could blame me for being suspicious?

“I can’t give away all my secrets now can I, princess?” He slowed his pace, letting me catch up.

“Whatevs. It’s creepy if you were.”

“You wouldn’t say that if I were a different Knight.”

My whole face flushed, and not because I was running at full pace.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” After a few miles of silent running, Tyler asked, “How come you run and don’t spend any time at the gym? God knows you need some meat on you.”

“Have you seen me lift weights?” I asked, sarcasm dripping.

He chuckled, probably remembering the last time I was in the weight room for PE.

“Yeah, you pick up things and put them down.”

“Um… I think the more accurate way to say it is I pick things up and drop them on myself.”

“Yeah, about that, why?”

I shrugged. “I heard it’s the new fitness craze in Hollywood. You know, like
Keeping up with the Kardashians
.”

“Or like the cookie fad diet.”

I slowed my pace to a stop, taking deep breaths and absorbing the scenic view before us. I dropped down on my butt.

“You know, Axel is a good guy.” His eyes sparkled from the rays of sun. “He cares more than he should about you, regardless of how… things are between the two of you.”

“Listen, I know you think highly of Axel and so do I. I care for and respect him beyond reason. But I think he and I are old enough to make our own decisions.” I sighed. “Besides, I’m not totally blind, Tyler.” A lump formed in my throat, hindering me from speaking further.

Tyler put a hand around my shoulder. “Not everything is black and white, princess.”

“Kissing is as black and white as it gets.” Although, I didn’t exactly see them locking lips, but the intention was clearly there. Wasn’t it?

Tyler gave me a genuine smile. “Sorry, princess. Like I said, not all is black and white. I know you like him; I can tell.”

“It doesn’t matter… what I want anymore.”

After a few minutes of silence, he turned to me, his features apathetic. “If you ever need to relinquish your frustration, I’m open to…” His face turned up into a mischievous grin. “…playing doctor.”

I almost choked on my own tongue. I nudged his ribs playfully. “I’ll keep that in mind.” I sprang up. “Last one down the hill eats rotten eggs.”

I took off like a speeding bullet.

I knew it was a bad idea to mess with magic and those who can use it. Only, I didn’t know Tyler was so damn competitive.

“You really are going to make me do this?” I asked him as groups of people gathered around us.

He smiled like Satan incarnate.

“You’re gonna pay for this. I promise.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. Now stop stalling and chug.”

Who knew Tyler would actually have rotten eggs handy? But that brat did!

I took the rotten-egg-goo-in-a-glass, eyeing it with disgust. One whiff of the contents had my eyes burning. Oh, good grief. I should’ve known he would be faster than me, seeing how he hardly broke a sweat on our run up the trail. I placed my mouth close to the rim of the glass and almost puked.

“Oh, God,” I said, gagging.

“Not God, princess. Just rotten eggs.” Tyler laughed menacingly.

I heard bets being placed, Hunter leading, on how well I would stomach the contents. I held my breath and took one last look around the table, swallowing hard. I couldn’t back down now; I was too much of a challenge junkie.
Yeah, I have issues.
I was tough and I had to prove that I could take on any task, even if it meant I gulped down this repulsive goo.

“Chug, chug, chug…” I heard chanting all around the cafeteria.

Great, now I’ve got cheerleaders for an audience.

I took another deep breath, plugged my nose, and poured the nasty rotten gunk into my mouth, gulping it down my throat. Hoots, hollers, and whistles encouraged my very non-princess-like behavior. Go figure.

The eggs slithered down my esophagus, making their way into the pit of my stomach. I could feel everything threatening to come right back out, and I willed my body to do anything but. Instead, I belched the most disgusting burp in the history of mankind.

“Gross.” Tyler chuckled. “I’ve got a whole new kinda respect for you.” He put his arm around my shoulder, hugging me with pride. “How about some water?” He stepped away a few inches with his hands in the air. “Or… toilet?”

“God, I’d rather keep this crap inside me than puke in a public toilet,” I said. “That was disgusting.”

“Yeah… Your breath ain’t that pretty, either. Phew. Here.”

He offered me a box of Altoids. Without a second thought, I threw a handful into my mouth. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Axel, who looked royally pissed. Actually, he looked like he was ready to rip off someone’s arm.

“You’re so on, asshat,” I said to Tyler.

“Oh yeah, Tyler, Ren’s got a thing with revenge. Watch your back, man.” Dean chimed in. He wrapped his arm around my waist as if we’d been dating for years. He tilted his head down the slightest. “I gotta say, I didn’t think you had it in you. That was wicked awesome.” His eyes glistened with pride.

“I’m gonna hurl.” I covered my mouth and ran out of the cafeteria as people shouted
nice job
,
you rock,
and patted my back, shoulder, and butt.

My butt?
Seriously, people!

“Ren.”

I froze mid-step just outside the restroom door.

I was so caught up with controlling the contents of my stomach and getting away from the crowd, I didn’t notice the signs I felt when Axel followed me out of the cafeteria. I pivoted my body to face him and was caught in his captivating liquid blue eyes for a few seconds until he looked away. He ran his hand through his hair like he was nervous.

I placed my hand over my mouth and mumbled, “Hey.”

I turned around and walked into the girl’s bathroom to avoid hitting him with the fresh smell of all the goodness rotten egg had to offer.

“Wait, Ren.” He stepped into the bathroom behind me, his foot propping the door open. I spun around to look at him. He was close enough I could feel the warmth from his body scorching mine. “I thought you might have use for this.”

He handed me a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. I glanced at him and he shrugged his shoulders.

He’s thoughtful and modest.

“I apologize for Tyler. He takes things further than necessary. I hope you can forgive him.”

As soon as I accepted Axel’s offering, he turned around and left me to do my business. After five minutes of brushing, I huffed against my hand to test my breath. Minty fresh. I stepped out to find Axel leaning against the wall, his hands in his front pockets, head tilted back, eyes closed. My heart thumped an odd beat as I drank in his profile. Like he felt my presence, an endearing smile crept up and he pushed off the wall, walking toward me.

“You did warn me about him,” I said, answering his earlier statement. I smiled mischievously. “That
conniving
brat.”

I was already plotting ways to get him back. I dared a glance into Axel’s eyes, which I regretted immediately. His intense gaze so easily mistaken for desire brought on another round of heated flutters. I cleared my throat and looked away.

“But if you wanted to…” I gave him a sideways glance with a sly smile. “You could help me get back at him.”

He raised his dark eyebrows in amusement. “Hmmm… tempting. It might be in my best interest to stay out. You both seem too competitive. I wouldn’t want to accidently become the innocent bystander.” He chuckled, massaging the back of his neck.

My heart pounded against my chest. It felt like decades had passed since I last heard him laugh like that. His eyes crinkled in the corners just a tad, making his face brighter.

“You’re confusing accidently with intentional. It’s never accidently, Axel.” I arched my brow. “Never.”

“Huh. I guess I could never keep them straight.”

I waved about the toothbrush and paste. “I never got the chance to say thank you.”

I got up on my toes, placed my hands on his shoulders, and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before I realized what I did. Horrorstruck, I stepped back, panicking. He seemed to be in shock too. His hand went to the place where my lips touched his skin. His cheeks turned bright pink.

I knew the kiss was very innocent and unintentional, but I couldn’t bring myself to say I was sorry. Because… really… I wasn’t.

“Umm…”

Axel looked at me with intensity. His features darkened, his lips slightly parted, and his eyes dropped to my lips like he was ready to pull me into a dark corner and ravish me. His eyes traveled back to mine. His expression turned to one of longing. My breathing became erratic. There was nothing more I wanted than to feel his lips against mine.

Come on, Ren, don’t be so weak.

“I-I-I’ll see you in class,” I stammered.

Every nerve in my body was on high alert and protested against my will to turn around and walk way. I mentally slapped myself.
Get ahold of yourself, woman
.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The party buzzed with overly drunk, overly enthusiastic teenagers. The music blasted, couples gyrated alongside the bonfire, and drinks passed around clusters of people. I recognized many from our school and then some. I was surprised at the numbers.

“This is some turnout.” I hugged Pey, who reeked of alcohol.

“Rrreeeee-Rrreeee!” she slurred, throwing her arms around my neck. “How izz your night so farzzz?”

“Oh, you know, I caught my brother and Cassie on the couch, making out. If I wasn’t trying to sneak out, I would’ve gouged my eyes out first. I know they’ve been dating for ages, but seriously? I’m just thankful I didn’t find them in a more comprising position.” I closed my eyes and shuddered at that thought.