His face falls and mine grows. He hadn’t been expecting that.
“Next time, try to keep it to a minimum.” I flick my fingernail against my thumb, feeling bold. “And leave the drunk one back at his cave.”
Finn’s stare doesn’t hide his annoyance, a shadow crosses his hazel eyes as his teeth grind together. My face is smug. Someone is protective of his friend.
“You’ll be lucky to be herethatlong.”
I hope he is right. In the meantime…
“Do you always mask your insults with humor? You’re hilarious if you think I’m taking advice from you.”
He yanks my wrist, and I bite back a hiss at the pressure. Finn is quiet for a moment before his voice drops. “No, you only start fires.”
My eyes widen, breathing hard but slow. His chin dips, he’s pleased with himself as my stomach churns.
Letting go, he drops my hand and I recoil. His eyes gleam with silent laughter.
My tongue is tied, stuck to the roof of my mouth.
His expression dull, he eyes my hair. “Nice color, shit-brown suits the trash it belongs in.” Getting one last jab in before slamming the door across the hall and blaring music long into the early morning.
five
Rory
Ispendthenextseveral days exploring the house.
Mostly taking mental notes. Stumbling into several rooms that I hadn’t known existed.
It has only been hours, and I am backtracking, lost. Walking down an empty hallway, my shoes echoing on the black and white tile floor, I find a lone door at the very end.
Looking over my shoulder, I see only the one I came through. It is a good distance away. Strange, the design almost seems intentional.
I shrug, opening it. If they didn’t want people in, it’d be locked.
Clear glass walls sparkle to life in a cornucopia of colors reflecting off the sunlight. The multicolor shades dancing on the green leaves.
Bundles of red, yellow, and orange flowers adorned the thick glass structure. The bulky vines twisting and growing spontaneously in every direction. Wild and free.
The edges of my mouth lift. A conservatory.
Sunrays tingle my skin in greeting. A warmth of easiness setting deep in my bones the farther I moved. The space enchanting, almost magical.
It looks untouched, years’ worth of foliage intermingled and untamed.How odd,I think, stroking my thumb across a pinkish-red bloom.
Deciding then, I will come back. I feel at ease here.
I raise my head. A knock sounds at my door. This one softer. I know it’s not Finn.
It cracks open the smallest bit before I get the chance to leave my spot. A head peeks in, the sight of the reclusive owner shoots me straight into the past.
“Your flight leaves tomorrow.” His tone emotionless and indifferent.
The amber-colored liquid sloshes against the crystal tumbler, his front to the window. He wouldn’t look at me.
“It was an accident.”
Downing the last of his scotch, a hiss runs through his teeth. “This is our goodbye, Rory.”