Page 7 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

B y the end of the next week, Darce was fully trained. He was a quick learner, I’d give him that. Oddly, he got on better with Ned and Daisy than anyone else at Bookends. He joked with Theo sometimes, but that was about it. As for me, Darce now avoided me like the plague. I had no idea what I’d done wrong. Maybe he didn’t like the way I trained him.

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving next week?” Theo asked, leaning over the staircase as he watched me polish the spiral forest carvings on the rail. It was therapeutic to wipe each wooden engraving with a cloth. I often wondered how old this building was. It had to be a few hundred years old. It was a building unlike anything else in New York.

“Reading,” I replied, not even looking at him.

“ All day ? Aren’t you planning on eating ?” I was, but not with him. I’d spent Thanksgiving alone for the last eight years. What the hell did I have to be thankful about, anyway?

“My family are all meeting up, if you...”

“Theo, why would I want to spend Thanksgiving with you and your family ?” I knew I’d wounded him when the smile on his face dropped. “Don’t you have bookshelves to clean in the basement?” Theo dipped his head and left wordlessly.

“You don’t have to be so spiteful to him, you know.” Darce’s voice came from behind me. “Would it be so bad to let the poor guy in?” Oh, he was talking to me now, after giving me one word answers for the last four days!

“Did I ask for your opinion?” I turned to look at him and instantly regretted it when I took in his face. Every freaking time! He blew me away! I had no idea why he looked so good in the black Bookends work uniform, but he did. It showed off the tattoos on the inside of his arms. I’d been trying to get a better look at them for the last few days, but the guy didn't stand still long enough. All I’d seen were black circles that started at his wrist and went up his forearm with markings on one of the circles.

“I’m still going to give it to you. Theo is a safe bet, Alora. You should give him a chance.” A safe bet? Why on earth did Darce think I’d need that?

“Why are you even talking to me? You’ve hardly said a word to me this week.” His eyes sparkled a little and a small smile played on his lips. “What?” I snapped, putting my hands on my hips. “Am I amusing you or something?” Fuck him and the way he was making me feel.

“Oh, I’d never dream of laughing at you, Alora, trust me.” With that, he walked over to the tills to help Ned with the small queue. Was he mocking me? Oh, I was going to take this asshole down piece by piece!

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“I SENSE SOME ANIMOSITY between you and the new guy,” Daisy mused in our staff room in the basement. All I wanted to do was read, but I’d felt her eyes on me the moment she walked in.

“That’s none of your business, and before you ask, no, I don’t want to talk about it!” Ever since I’d gone out clubbing with her, Daisy seemed to think she’d grown on me. She hadn’t ! “Go and take your sunny disposition somewhere else,” I complained, not looking up from my book.

“For what it’s worth, I think Darce likes you more than he’s letting on.” Do not fall for... Damn it, too late . I’d already looked away from my book. “He’s always watching you when you’re not looking.” Interesting.

“Thanks for that pointless bit of information.” Closing my book, I ate the last of the sandwich I’d made before work while giving Daisy one of my cold stares. “I can’t stand the guy. Darce is arrogant, insipid and sanctimonious!”

“I don’t even know what the last two words mean.” Daisy shrugged as both our eyes were drawn towards movement by the door. Crap!

“I’m not interesting and pretend to be better than everyone else, apparently.” Darce didn’t even seem affected at my outburst. Shit! He wasn’t meant to hear any of that. “I’m a little confused as to how you can make that judgement when you’ve only known me for just over a week.” Oh, I had bruised that ego of his a little. I could see the challenge in his eyes.

“That’s my cue to leave...” Daisy hurried away, giving Darce a grin as she passed him.

“I’m waiting, Alora. Why are you being so judgemental? Is this still about me telling you to give Theo a chance? I felt sorry for the guy. Anyone can see how you treat him.”

“No, it has nothing to do with him!” I fumed. Couldn’t I have fifteen minutes of peace to read my book? “You have this talent of infuriating me just by breathing !”

His lips curled into a breathtaking smile. “You really are quite the ray of sunshine, aren’t you?”

“Fuck you!” I spat, picking up my book. I was done with this conversation and him! I didn’t care how attractive he was. Darce was a self-righteous prick!

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I MANAGED TO AVOID Darce until closing time. Everyone else had finished and were already gone. Theo had left a little earlier to run some errands for his parents.

Turning all the lights off on the top floor, I gazed down the grand staircase. Darce was standing right at the bottom. He didn’t take his eyes off me as I descended the stairs.

“Do you really spend Thanksgiving alone?” he asked when I reached the bottom. All the lights were off on the ground floor. Once I coded the alarm, we could leave.

“Yeah.” I shrugged, heading towards the alarm panel.

“You have no one that you could spend it with?”

“I killed my mother during childbirth and my father died when I was sixteen. I’m kind of out of options.” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. I’d never told anyone that. “I...I...” I was speechless.

“It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone.” His voice was soft as I turned to face him. In the dim light it looked as if darkness was swirling around him. As I gazed into his eyes, I saw that the sparkle was back: flicks of silver and gold that showed me a never-ending universe. It had to be some trick of the light. Eyes didn’t shimmer like that. “You don’t always have to isolate yourself so much, Alora. You have plenty of people in your life who care.”

“Are you including yourself in that statement?” I stepped closer towards him, our bodies only inches apart. It was the closest I’d ever been to him. When I started to reach out, Darce grabbed my wrist and stopped me from touching him.

“No,” he whispered. No? “I’m not a good choice, Alora. You’ll get hurt.”

“Maybe I like getting hurt.” Trying once more as he released my wrist, I reached for him, but Darce completely pulled away.

“This was a bad idea,” he sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I should have listened to them.” He was ranting to himself, but I took that moment to move closer. He was so distracted with his internal struggle that his eyes didn’t snap to mine until I was touching his torso. I was touching him, finally.

He felt solid and defined. I didn’t explore his chest, I simply kept my hand above his heart and searched his eyes.

Whatever turmoil was in his mind evaporated as his hand moved, placing it over my hand on his chest.

My body convulsed at the simple touch. All my nerve endings were pulsing in a way I’d never experienced.

“Whatever you think might happen between us, I can assure you, it won't .” The way Darce was staring at me, I didn’t believe a word he said.

“You’re touching me.”

“A moment of bad judgement, I assure you. Even sanctimonious people like me have those.” His mouth twitched into a smirk as he pulled away. At his lack of touch, I felt...bereft. My hand yearned for his touch back. It sent pins and needles through my arm up to my elbow.

“Why are you fighting this?”

“Because it is safer for you to hate me. I can’t get caught up in you, Alora. The price is too high.” Anger flared through me. Oh, was I not good enough for him? Was that the price?

“Fine! All I wanted was a quick fuck, but if you’re not man enough for that, fine ! I’ll look elsewhere!” With a spin, I punched the code into the alarm and grabbed my bag that I’d left on a table near the entrance. “Did you want to be stuck in here all night?” I seethed, opening the main door while signalling for him to move. He was still there, motionless, looking at me. “Let’s go!” Finally, he moved. After locking the doors, I zipped my coat up while Darce still watched me silently. “You’re a strange one, Darce Undergrove.” This guy might be more messed up than me. “Goodnight.” With that, I stepped away and walked home.

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E VELYN WAS WATCHING something on her laptop in the living area when I got back. Throwing my bag down, I pulled my hair out of its tie. The walk home hadn’t helped. I was still as furious with Darce as the moment I’d left him.

“Bad day at work?” Evelyn asked, raising an eyebrow at me. “What’s Theo done now?”

“I don’t want to talk about it!” Evelyn didn’t know Darce was the new guy at work and I planned on keeping it that way for as long as possible.

“Well, that’s a refreshing change,” she sighed, going back to her laptop. At least Evelyn knew not to push it any further.

I made myself some dinner, trying to forget how Darce’s hand felt over mine. That skin on skin contact had been such a simple touch, but heated the very core of my body.

“Can you keep it down in there? I know you’re angry at something, but don’t take it out on the knife or pan. You’re going to cut through the chopping board if you carry on,” Evelyn commented, still sitting on the sofa. I had been cutting the vegetables a little aggressively, apparently.

Putting all the vegetables in the heated pan, I grabbed the chicken from the fridge. I was only making a simple stir fry. He can’t get caught up in me...the price is too high. What did that even mean ? All I wanted was one night. I’d happily ignore him at work after that. If he thought I was going to get attached, he was wrong. My mind didn’t allow me to care or fall for anyone . Family, friend or lover. I’d never depended on someone because I didn’t know how to. A mental shield came up, and I would freak out. Panic attacks were the most common thing that happened, but on occasion, I’d had full black outs. My father and I had tried all the therapy we could when I was younger, but other than being diagnosed with a form of autism that I was sure I didn’t have, we received little help. I had to accept that I’d simply been born this way.

I took my food into my room once it was done. Evelyn didn’t say another word. When I was finished eating, I placed the plate on my bedside table, then put some angry music on my Bluetooth speakers. Closing my eyes, I let my rage fill my body.

Darce wanted me, that I could sense. Well, fuck him! I wasn’t going to make it easy for him. I’d turn up my charm and sexual prowess until his defences dropped. I was even considering using Theo to make him jealous. That thought alone made me shudder. N ope , I couldn't do that. I would just have to find a random guy somewhere. I didn’t need someone safe . I craved the danger , I always had.

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I WAS NEAR A LAKE. Darkness surrounded me, the only light was that of two moons caressing the water with their moonshine. It was a barren place, but so beautiful.

“You came.” A voice called from behind me.

“You said you would train me.” This wasn’t a dream I was controlling. It was one I was watching ! “Your gold!” I spat, throwing it at his feet.

“No. I told you I would see what you had and then decide.” I knew that voice. I knew who I would see as he stepped into the moonlight. His bewitching face looked even better in my dreams. Did he look younger? In the dim light, I couldn't tell. Darce was wearing strange, black leathers, almost resembling from the time of the Vikings. What a weird dream.

“You shouldn’t underestimate me.”

“Tackle me to the floor and I will consider it.” I crossed my arms as he began to slowly circle me. “I will make the first one easy by not counter attacking. Let’s see what you’ve got, Alora.” That same rage filled my body as I ran towards him. He dodged my first punch aimed for his stomach, spinning around and grabbing me from behind. My breathing was so erratic, it was embarrassing. “Lesson one...never let emotions get the better of you.” He pushed my back, and I stumbled a few feet away from him. Arrogant prick!

“You get under my skin! I can’t help it!”

“Focus!” He was circling me again. I held my stance, working out where to strike this time. Lunging forward, I aimed for his legs in an attempt to sweep them, but he caught me again, blocking the move as he swept my own legs and brought me to the ground. “I’ve really got my work cut out with you,” he sighed, holding his hand out to help me up. The moment our hands touched, that same familiar warmth began to spread through my core. When I looked down at my hands, they were glowing . As in, fully flickering. “Careful,” Darce whispered just before I gasped myself awake.

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S ITTING UP IN THE DARKNESS of my bedroom, I put my hands through my hair and took long, deep breaths. That was the most realistic dream I’d ever had. My mouth was really dry, but when I reached for the leftover soda on my nightstand, my breath caught. My hands ... they were ... glowing . It was a dim, candescent glow. I could feel the heat pricking my skin, warming from the inside out. Bringing my hands closer to my face, I studied them. Was I still dreaming? When I pinched myself and it hurt, I realised I wasn’t. The light seemed to filter from my fingertips and coat the whole of my hand like a forcefield. Curious, I touched my face but didn’t get a sharp, electric shock like I thought I would. The touch felt warm, almost like a caress. Holy. Fucking. Shit! I was glowing !

Racing into Evelyn’s bedroom, I jumped onto her bed and shook her awake. “Evelyn! Wake up!” I called. She screamed, pushing me off and scrambling backwards, thinking I was an attacker. “It’s me, Alora! Calm down.”

“Alora, what the fuck are you doing? You scared the shit out of me!” I didn’t have time for all this. I needed her to look at my hands to confirm I wasn’t going crazy.

“Evelyn, my hands! Look at my hands! ” The moment I looked down, my body slumped. No! The glow...it was gone.

“Why are we looking at your hands?” she asked in the darkness. Her bedroom was like mine and still had some light from the street lights outside.

“No!” I cried. “They were glowing . I had a dream and woke up with glowing hands.”

“Alora, have you been drinking?” She snorted as she stretched to put her lamp on. She gave me a concerned look as I winced at the sudden brightness. “It was a dream.”

“No, I woke up! I saw it! I was awake .” I didn’t care if I sounded like a mad woman. I knew it happened.

“Come on. Let’s get you back to bed. Whatever happened at work today has affected you more than you want to admit.” Evelyn coaxed me up and helped me back to my room. I couldn't make sense of anything right now. I had no idea what was going on. “You’ll feel better in the morning. If you want to talk about it then, I’m here.” She pulled the duvet over me and moved a stray piece of my hair from my face. “Get some rest,” Evelyn cooed from my bedroom door before shutting it, leaving me in darkness.

Pulling my hands back in front of my face, I studied them carefully. “ Glow, you fuckers ,” I urged, but I got nothing.

It was real , I knew it! I wasn’t going crazy!