viii

Reminiscing on the event only made me remember the pain of my shattered bones. I was starting to believe now that she purposely made me go first, obviously knowing what the portal felt like.

She's sneaky like that.

Fayette spoke, “Did you get it?”

After watching McKenzie using the small piece of technology, I had asked Constantine if we could have one. He, of course, obliged and briefed us on how to use it. It wasn't confusing at all but I was still not accustomed on how to properly use it.

I stared at the device, and it read: “Etteyaf em sti”

It says, “It’s me, Fayette.” It was our language in Vudos.

I rolled my eyes, “You do know that's not how they talk here.”

She ignored me and continued to explore her phone, “What are you wearing tonight?”

I thought about her question remembering that today, at school, McKenzie invited us to her friend’s party, and I couldn't wait to see her again.

I shrugged, “The usual, of course.”

She placed her phone on my bed, rummaging through my belongings. She turned around, grinning ear to ear holding out an outfit she picked out from my closet.

I looked up from my phone, “How about this?” she asked, holding a pair of black skinny jeans slightly shredded down the front, a graphic tee along with my signature combat boots.

I flipped to my stomach on my bed, “Casual, I like it.”

She smiled, “Good, now get dressed. We have a party to attend.”

I reluctantly obliged, getting to my feet. I took the clothes from Fayette who was still smiling like an idiot.

Right on cue, my door burst open revealing Perry. He stepped into my door frame sending another attack against us. I pushed Fayette out of the way and in an instant, the surge struck my chest straight into my heart. I stumbled into the bed as I clenched the gaping hole in my chest.

Feeling helpless in the agony as the pain coursed through my body, my insides burned as the flesh around the open wound began to repair the wounded cells. Once I was back to my normal, I chased Perry down the hall.

Constantine yelled, “Quit acting like children, my heart can't handle such immaturity.”

I let out a shaky laugh, “You frightened me!”

She laughed helping me to my feet, “Thank you, but please don't do that again, I could have seriously hurt you.”

She hugged me, “Wow! You actually said thank you!”

I removed her arms, “Less contact.”

She pouted, “But I like hugging you. You're always so warm.”

I couldn't lie to myself, I loved whenever we made contact and when it was lost, I felt myself wanting more.

I stared at the blonde beauty before me, something in her demeanor changed as she studied me. It felt like a lifetime as I stared into her shining emerald eyes.

Her eyes lit up when she looked over my shoulder, “Walk with me?”

I nodded, “Okay.”

I watched as she stopped in her tracks, she stared at me in silence for a few seconds wearing the devil’s grin. I raised a brow as soon as she devoured my attention right down to the last drop.

She placed one hand on her waist then placed her other one over her waiting for one. I watched as she smoothly slid both hands down her extremely tan and toned leg, I couldn't help but admire her sly way of turning me on. Everything she did was simply mesmerizing to me and I couldn’t help but study her whenever she did the simplest tasks.

She laughed, “It won't hurt you, Amora.”

I shook my head, “That can't be confirmed. It's intimidating me Mc—Ken—zie.”

I opened one eye and side glanced at the beast as it cocked its tiny head side to side.

She sighed, “Okay, let’s get back to the party so the scary bird doesn't attack you.” She mocked me in a dull voice.

Before the journey back to the beach house, we wore our socks and shoes back on. Well me anyway, she just had sandals. Being the sneaky in me, of course, I was stealing glances at her as the midnight moon cascaded a glow around McKenzie. She looked absolutely stunning in her small jean shorts and pink tank top.

Her eyes flickered to mine as she tucked her hair behind her ear, “Like what you see?”

I nodded vigorously, “Yes ma'am.”

He tried to punch me, but I stopped it with one hand and swung my free hand into the side of his temple, causing him to completely go limp and blackout.

I wrapped my arm around McKenzie as many onlookers held up their phones, flashes going off. I pulled her closer to me, “May I take you home?”

She nodded, “Yes please.”

As soon as I pulled into the lot she told me about, I immediately noticed that there were no cars here. I cut the engine and turned to her, “Do you still have a parent?”

She frowned, “Yes but they are deployed.”

I raised a brow, “What do you mean by that?”

She placed my helmet on the seat, “They are both in the military.”

I nodded understanding that they must be soldiers of this land, “So why do you let David treat you like that?”

She shook her head when she’s about to answer, that was until I saw something in the window yelling in its language as she unlocked her house. I wasn't going to lie; I was terrified as she opened the door revealing the creature.

“What is that?!” I screamed when I saw it running towards us.

It looked a lot like the bird from the beach but with more legs. It continued to bark running even faster as McKenzie squatted down, picking the beast up in her arms.

She turned to me, “This is my dog, Thor, and he’s a dachshund.” She moved him closer to me, “Do you want to pet him?”

I shook my head and backed up, “No, it scares me.”

It barked, wiggling its tail.

McKenzie laughed, “He won't hurt you.”

She stepped closer and I took two more back,

“Don't come any closer.”

She lunged forward with the bundle in her arms and that was enough for me to turn the other way and run. She continued to chase me around her yard holding her dog in the distance between us.

“Just pet him, Amora!” She yelled.

“Negative.”

“You can't deny a cute little face like this.”

I turned around to yell over my shoulder but McKenzie wasn't there. As soon as I turned back around she was already right in my face. I screamed at the top of my lungs in a high pitch shriek. My vision went blurry, and I found myself crashing to the ground.

I came back as soon as I felt a pair of warm legs mounted mine, “McKenzie?”

“Hmm,” She hummed.

I tilted my head, “Do you do this with all of your friends?”

She shook her head, “No, just you.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

She held out Thor, “Do you want to pet him now?”

“Fine,” I reached out and stroked the dog’s tiny head, causing a small bark of happiness to escape through his little mouth. He jumped out of McKenzie's arms, falling in the space between McKenzie and I on my lap. I thrust forward a little after he landed on my sensitive spot before climbing up my chest.

I groaned, “For something so tiny, you sure felt pretty heavy.”

“I'm so sorry about that, Amora.” Mckenzie said covering her mouth.

I shrugged, “It's not a big problem really.”

Even though … it still hurts

She uncovered her mouth and pointed at the dog,

“On the plus side, I think he likes you.

I moved her off of me, and stood, “Farewell,

McKenzie. Sleep well.”

“Please don't go.” She begged.

I looked at her down on her knees, “McKenzie I don't want to be the reason behind you being mad.”

She shook her head, “Trust me, you're not … you’re actually the reason behind my smile.”

I smiled, “Are you serious?”

She nodded, “Yeah, you became a good friend to me. It took you literally days to get to this level and my friends have been working on it for a long time.” She hesitated, “Do you want to stay the night?”

I considered this and battled the thought before my body reacted, although it didn't take long as my head nodded, “I'd love to.”