Page 44 of Serpent In White

Head Priest’s eyes narrow, and his expression turns dark. I’m just standing here shivering beneath his gaze like a waterfall of cool rushing water. The way he’s looking at me is overwhelming. I can barely breathe.

Can you hear me, Abdiel?He lifts a brow, inching in closer until only a foot of space separates us.

My back is sealed to the wall as I gape up at him over an inch or two separating us in height, though it’s his presence which is overpowering. He’s taking all the air out of the hallway.

My lips part, but I can’t form words. Of course, since he mentioned it, now my mind is flashing back to Drake shooting me up with his drugs a few hours ago. I’m not sure if I should be revealing everything to him in my mind, but then I’d have no idea how not to.

Head Priest swallows, Adam’s apple dipping in his throat, a movement my eyes have to stick to because it’s quite captivating. Then he takes in a deep breath.

You’ve tried Empyrean, haven’t you, my servant?

I begin to stammer, and he reaches out, placing a hand on my shoulder. I’m sure it’s supposed to calm me down, but all it’s doing is making me tingly everywhere.

No need to be worried,he tells me without parting his lips.It’s fascinating, isn’t it?

I nod uncontrollably.Yes, Head Priest.

His mouth twists into a small smile, and a breath puffs from between his lips.So cute.

My hands are shaking.Me? I’m cute? Is he… flirting with me??

Please, call me Darian.He blinks. His eyes aren’t as crystalline as they were yesterday, though it’s still a miraculous color, having deepened into a shade similar to the blueberries we harvest.

“I-I don’t…” My head wobbles, not knowing what to say or do.

I’m uncomfortable, because we’ve never really talked much. Yet here we are now, chatting telepathically in the hallway of his home while he’s half-naked and sweaty.

I might pass out.

His grin widens still.It’s okay. I’m just a person, Abdiel. A servant, like you.

His hand trails off my arm as I stand frozen, and he watches me, reading me. I’m so nervous he’s going to hear my impure thoughts about him; that he’ll pick up on my little crush. My entire body is flushed, and I feel like my clothes might disintegrate right off my flesh.

Because I’m sure he can heareverythingI’m thinking, he backs up an inch, then stretches his arms behind his back, eyeing me while swiping at his bottom lip with his tongue, an act I just know I’ll be seeing in my dreams for the foreseeable future.

“Would you like to come for a walk with me?” His tone is casual enough, though now I’m even more stunned.

“Um… me?” It’s the stupidest possible response, but I can’t help it. He turns me into a giant ball of smitten jelly.

This time his laugh is a more prominent, dimples appearing on his cheeks. It makes him look much younger, although it’s still obvious there’s an age difference between us. A pretty decent one at that.

“Yes, Abdiel.You.” He folds his arms over his chest. “Please? It would be rude to deny my invitation, would it not?”

Considering his words, I nod hesitantly. “Probably…”

“Okay, then. It’s settled.”

Before I can even ask him where we’re going, he wanders away. I’m still stuck to the wall as he turns over his shoulder and croons, “Come now, young servant.”

And my body betrays all other hesitations to follow him like a puppy. I power walk to catch up, falling in step behind him as he stalks toward the back door. He opens it and we saunter out into the calm breeze of this lovely late spring evening, making our way to the lake I’m guessing, since that’s the direction he’s headed.

Once we’re outside, he slows his pace to a stroll, and I walk beside him, the quiet between us not as quiet as it would seem. I can hear things happening in his mind, and I’m awestruck, because it’s such a fascinating place to be; inside the brain of our Head Priest.

His thoughts aren’t necessarily profound; he’s thanking Mother for this gorgeous night, for the lake, and the plants and trees which give us oxygen. He’s gazing up at the stars and wondering who else could be doing so at this very moment.

He’s wondering about me… Specifically, why Drake gave me Empyrean, but also how it makes me feel. If I understand what it means for my own subconscious. If I experienced…

“What’sEcdysis?” I ask out loud, and he glances at me as we approach the lake.