` I ran my hand over the hem of his sweatshirt. He wore a lot of cashmere. Like truly 100% cashmere. Not a blend. It was so light and soft. I lowered my head, brought the shirt up to my nose and inhaled. It was an arctic woody smell. Super fresh and crisp, with a hint of a musk scent, I could not quite place.
Hearing Gunnar’s chuckle brought me back to my current surroundings. Sitting on his couch cross-legged, wearing socks, underwear and his sweatshirt. He wore only his socks and grey joggers. His window opened, letting in the cool night breeze. Maybe most people might have found it a tad bit cold, but I was a strange child.
I liked the cold.
Apparently Gunnar did too.
And this breeze felt nice.
This after sex, freshly washed, sitting on his couch felt really nice.
I turned slowly to look at him, only to find he was already looking at me. His blue eyes bright. His blond hair pulled back and away from his face.
Why was he watching me so intensely? “What?” I asked.
He shrugged lazily, scooting further into the couch, parting his legs wider and even managing a yawn.
My mouth dropped open in disbelief and he smiled.
“Rude.” I nudged his knee with my foot.
He quickly grabbed the foot. His hand roamed over my ankle, before he proceeded to slowly rotate it.
I smiled as I watched him. He could be so attentive and gentle sometimes, it unnerved me. He unnerved me.
Gunnar slowly lifted his eyes to look at me as he kept massaging my ankle. “You trust me?” He asked with a smirk, a certain glean in his eyes. “With the most fragile part of your body?”
“What could you do?”
His hold tightened on my ankle. “Break it.” He responded smoothly without batting an eye.
I looked down at my foot in his hand as he continued to massage it but with a bit more pressure. “You won’t hurt me.” I replied with 100% confidence.
He must have noticed how comfortable I felt, because he paused. Gunnar looked down at my ankle and then back up to hold eye contact. “What makes you so sure?”
I shrugged. “You don’t break what you treasure.” I don’t know where the words were coming from I swear. It was from somewhere deep inside.
His hands stopped again, if only for a few seconds, before he patted my ankle and released my foot. “Other foot.”
I moved on the couch and sat back comfortably as I put my other leg on his thigh. He proceeded to rub it calmly as I watched him. The smirk gone from his lips as he placed his full attention to my foot.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself Blaise.” He replied. “You don’t even know who you are.”
“Who am I then?”
His hands slowed down. “Why don’t you ask your parents?”
“Why are you so obsessed with them?” I questioned.
Gunnar chuckled, as his hand moved up to my calf. “Because they made you.” He grinned.
My heart skipped a beat, but I rolled my eyes. It made him laugh more. “You’re so full of it.”
“You liked it.” He commented.
I smiled as his fingers seemed to add a cooling sensation to my muscles. I looked down at my leg, watching his fingers move. “How…are you doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Making it feel like that.”
“Making it feel like what?”
I lifted my eyes to him, but as always, he was already looking at me, ready to intercept my gaze at all moments. I cocked my head to the side.
“What?” He whispered, almost expectantly, as if he wanted me to ask him.
“Your fingers feel cold.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.” I whispered as the night air seemed to get even colder than before. I hugged myself as I exhaled. Seeing the faint vapor from my breath, I turned my head to the window, wondering when and how the temperature had dropped so fast. I paused for a minute.
No…wait…but…naw, impossible—- I turned my head back to Gunnar.
“Aren’t you cold?”
He shook his head, as it got even colder.
My bottom lip trembled on it’s own as the warmth left my body. I took my leg away from him and hugged myself even tighter.
Gunnar watched me. His blue eyes narrowing.
I exhaled and my air was now more than evident in front of my face. I brought my hand up and waved it through the mist. I opened my mouth and blew again, to see the condensed water vapor.
“Are not cold?” He asked slowly.
I nodded. “I’m freezing….” My lip trembled as I talked. “But it doesn’t bother me that much.” I looked out the window again before turning back to him. “I know this is ridiculous…but are you doing this?”
Gunnar chuckled. “Doing what?”
“Making it cold.”
He smiled. “How can I possibly do that?”
I stared at the fact that he was talking, but given the drop in temperature, I could not see his breath. This wasn’t cold to him.
I shook my head. “I don’t know.” I whispered, blinking at him. “Gunnar….”
“Yes?” He whispered back.
“Are you….human?”
He smiled. “Interesting question. Why? Have you met any non-humans?”
I shook my head slowly.
He chuckled and leaned towards me on the couch. “Well then Blaise. What do you think I am?”
“Mine.” I whispered as a chill went through my body.
The smile fell of Gunnar’s face as he stared at me. He hovered mere inches away from me as his eyes roamed my face.
I lifted my hands and slide them up his chest, over his neck and over his shoulders. “You called me…” I whispered. Squinting as I tried to remember. “Into a cave…” I brought him closer. “To play with you.”
Gunnar’s lips parted.
“You were so lonely and sad——“ I cried out releasing him as, the memory escaped me, leaving behind a sharp fiery ricochet of pain in my skull.
“Blaise?” Gunnar grabbed my arm.
I shook my head and exhaled loudly feeling as if I’d spaced out. I stared at him in surprise as to why he was holding my wrists so tightly.
He looked down at his hold on me and dropped my arm in annoyance.
“Hey!” I protested. “You grabbed me.” I shivered and looked around. “It’s super cold.” I went over to his window. “Aren’t you cold?”
He scoffed.
I sucked my teeth at him. “Close the window.” I pushed it down. The temperature immediately returned to how it was before and I actually contemplating opening the windows again. I decided against it and went back to the couch.
“Anyways, where were we?” I put my foot on his thigh and he pushed it off.
I gasped. “Why are you being so rude?”
“Maybe you’ve overstayed your welcome.” He replied as he got up off the couch.
My mouth dropped as I sat up and crossed my arms over my chest defiantly. “Okay you know what? Now I don’t want to go.”
“Suit yourself.” He replied as he left and went to the kitchen.
I sat up on my knees on his couch and watched him. “Why are you being such an asshole? I thought we were having a great time.”
“And now the great time is gone.” He replied as he poured himself water.
“So you want me to leave?” I scoffed in disbelief.
“Good, so you understand.”
I laughed loudly and turned, and sat right back down on his couch. “If I leave! I’m never coming back here again!”
“Good.”
“I said.” I sat back up on my knees on his couch to face his kitchen. “I’m never coming back here again.”
He didn’t answer as he calmly put his head back and drank from his glass of water. The nerve of that asshole to look so tantalizing drinking water. Like his fucking body was…chef’s kiss.
I picked up the pillow and threw it at him.
He had the audacity to put his hand out and catch it in midair before it hit his side.
If I wasn’t so annoyed, I would have been impressed.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and put his glass down before turning to me. “You’re still here?” He threw the pillow back at me, and I dodged it as it landed on the couch.
I felt my body heat up with rage as I stared at him. A thousand curse words ravaged my mind as I tried to find the perfect one, and then…just like that…I paused and cocked my head to the side as revelation set in. I don’t know how, but it just appeared, clear as day.
“I hurt your feelings.” I stated.
He scoffed. “Nobody can hurt my feelings.”
“How?” I ignored him. “What did I do?”
“Blaise.” Gunnar stared hard at me. “Get dressed, call an Uber and leave.”
I nodded. “Okay.” I got up and quickly went to get my stuff. Not seeing that he remained in the kitchen, his head hung low.
**
I giggled as I moved my hand quickly away from Otto slapping it. “Missed.”
He grinned and put his hands below mine.
“Okay, no don’t be distracte—-“
“Miss.” He laughed as he avoided my slap.
I put my hands below his. I twitched as he faked hitting it. I threw my head back and laughed. His hands came down and I quickly pulled back, his fingernails grazed mine.
His eyes widened.
I shook my head. “Nope, doesn’t count.” I pointed at him. “You have to hit my palm.”
“That counts!”
“You have to hit her palm.”
We both looked up as Gunnar grinned as he strolled over to our table. He leaned in between us, his hands on the back of both our chairs. I could see Otto’s face turn grim. His smile tightened as he stared at me, all while not looking in Gunnar’s direction.
I glared at Gunnar, but his smile grew bigger as he stared at Otto and put his hand out. “I want to play.”
Otto simply stared at me, making no indication that he heard Gunnar.
“You hit my hand, i’ll leave Blaise alone.” Gunnar taunted. “You miss, she’ll always be mine, quicker than you can say Valhalla.”
“Hey!” I sucked my teeth. “Don’t involve me in your little stupid games.”
“Huh?” Gunnar nodded to Otto as he stuck his hand out, placing it in the middle.
I shot Otto a look. Was he going to do it? He should try it. Just once. I wanted to see—-
“We should continue studying.” Otto said seriously as he turned in his seat.
I nodded. “Yeah—-“
“Scared of losing?”
I looked at Otto sympathetically, because of the teasing tone in Gunnar’s voice.
“Blaise wants you to try.”
I shook my head at Otto, when he shot me a look. I did. I did want him to try.
“Ahhh, so you are a pussy ass bi——missed.”
I swallowed back a sound, to stop myself from laughing, as Otto’s hand missed Gunnar’s.
“Again?”
I reached out and took Gunnar’s hand, bringing it down. “Leave us alone.”
He held my gaze as he switched the hand position to lace our fingers together. “Come. I want to talk to you.”
I got up, but Otto grabbed my wrist.
I looked at him in shock.
“Don’t go with him.” He whispered to me. “He’s not someone to be associated with Blaise.”
Gunnar actually laughed, causing a couple people who weren’t trying to eavesdrop on our conversation, to now actually turn their focus to us.
Gunnar was laughing?
Gunnar was holding Blaise’s hand.
Otto was holding Blaise’s wrist.
Blaise was torn.
The gossip truly just wrote itself.
I saw a couple people lift up their cellphones, and I sighed. I knew exactly what was happening. I tried to pull away, but neither of them would let me go.
“And to think, I was just trying to spare you the hurt.” Gunnar pouted.
I slowly sat back down, having given up releasing Gunnar’s hand, but not wanting Otto to feel like shit for leaving.
Seeing me sit down, Otto released his hold on my wrist. I gave him a reassuring smile as I tried to pull my hand away from Gunnar, who truly wasn’t budging.
He bent down and got in my face. “I’m sorry about yesterday.” He said, in the softest most reassuring tone, I’d ever heard come from his mouth. My heart raced as his thumb brushed over my hand that he was holding. We held eye contact.
This…fucking…adorable jerk. As he looked at me, I could see the slight smirk at the corner of his mouth. Was he ever serious? He was showing out in front of Otto. But I could see in his eyes, and I could feel it deep inside me…he meant it behind that nonchalant attitude of his.
“You forgive me for kicking you out?”
I pouted but nodded. I knew he hadn’t meant it.
“That’s my girl.” He grinned.
I couldn’t help it as my mouth spread into a smile.
“Blaise don’t let him—-“
Whatever he wanted to say was drowned out be Gunnar’s lips against mine. Literally drowned out. As soon as his lips touched mine, whatever Otto had been trying to say seemed to fade away. He kissed me so sweetly, before teasingly biting my bottom lip.
“You’re my favorite part of all this.” He whispered softly.
“Blaise listen——”
I pulled my head back slowly as a tear rolled down my cheek.
Gunnar was yanked out of my arms as Otto pushed him roughly. “Enough! Enough!”
Gunnar laughed as his eyes focused on Otto’s anger with what looked like complete glee. “You’re all lying to her. I just want her to see the truth.” He looked at me. “I only want you to know the truth."
“Don’t fucking talk to her. You are the last one to every talk about truths!”
I slowly got up as I looked around the computer lab. Everybody, everything, frozen, as if time had stood still except for us.
My heart raced as I took in the kid about to drink from his Stanley cup, the two students whispering to each other, the surprised expression on somebody’s face as they looked at their phone. Someone’s iPad tipping over the edge of the table. The person about to tap another’s shoulder.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“Yeah Otto?” Gunnar questioned. “Why don’t you tell her? Why don’t you let her know what’s going on.”
Otto growled as he exhibited a strength I’d never seen before and flung Gunnar across the room. He seemed bigger and brighter, a certain glow around him. He put his arm out and a long glistening sword appeared in his hand.
I gasped, scooting back, crashing against the table.
“You disgusting piece of filth!” He yelled and slashed at Gunnar but the hockey player quickly jumped out the way. “Reveal yourself!”
“You seem a little upset.” Gunnar pouted. “Let’s work something out.”
Otto turned with his sword, almost cutting Gunnar’s shoulder had he not ducked in time.
“Wow, seems you’ve been practicing. Do I make you nervous?”
Otto growled, his eyes turned a golden color as he moved fast. But Gunnar intercepted him blow for blow. In his hand appeared a blood red sword, or was it an arrow, or was it a large wand? It all seemed to depend on the angle at which you looked at it.
As he blocked Otto’s hits, he didn’t seem to be having a particularly hard time, compared to the angrier, more violent attacks from my supposedly peaceful and gentle Otto.
“Tell us Blaise…who wins this fight?” Gunnar asked as he spun, almost hitting Otto’s side which he blocked, but barely.
“You do.” I answered without hesitation. Because I knew. I knew who would come up victorious.
Gunnar grinned, knocking Otto’s sword out of his hand and putting his red now scepter like weapon against Otto’s throat. “Did you hear the goddess of victor? I win.”
Otto heaved as his eyes looked down at Gunnar’s weapon dangerously close to his neck. Gunnar pressed his lips against the tall figure skater’s ears. “Don’t you see? I’ll always kill you to get her. Reborn or not.” He whispered.
“Stop.”
Gunnar turned to me.
“Blaise go!” Otto yelled urgently.
I shakily moved away from the table and took a step towards them. I should be terrified right now. I know I should…but why wasn’t I screaming for help? I took another step to them.
Otto put his hand out, his face laced with concern. “Blaise…” he begged me. “Please…get out of here. I’ll be okay.”
“Will you?” Gunnar asked, pressing his sword further against the taut neck.
“What….are you?” I asked feeling the room grow cold.
Gunna grinned. “You mean, what are we?” He asked as he slowly started to transform. My big, blond haired-blue eyed hockey player, became leaner, his hair now more strawberry blond grew longer down his once blue eyes were now a vivid, green. Same demeanor, same smirk, same smell and presence. “Don’t tell me you prefer blue eyes Blaise.”
“Let him go!”
An authoritative voice called behind us. Gunnar grimaced as his hand dropped. He squeezed his eyes shut as if pain was going through his body. His weapon disappeared and he groaned in pain. Otto gasped and dropped to his knee, touching his bloody neck that Gunnar had actually been slicing discreetly as he talked to Blaise.
That voice. That presence. I knew him
“Blaise, Blaise! Are you okay?”
I turned slowly. Mom and dad?
I tried to move my head to the person walking towards Gunnar who had now dropped to his knees in pain, but my head swirled. Voices, images, cold, so cold. I felt like I was spinning. I reached out my hand for stability.
“Gunnar.” I cried out for help.
I felt another hand grab me. “Blaise no!”
My body swayed as the darkness took over. A high pitched tune rang in my ear as I fell into somebody’s arms.
I’ll find you again.
**
“So this is what you wanted to do brother?”
“Brother.” Gunnar laughed painfully.
“You promised us he wouldn’t find her, amongst the humans here.”
“I don’t think erasing her memory has done you any favors.”
“You’re going to seriously let him get away with this?”
“What if he’d hurt her? Or eaten her?”
“I really don’t think he has those intentions with her.”
“Why do you always take that things side!”
“I’m not taking his side.”
“I’m right here. In tremendous pain by the way. Look nobody got hurt, can we ease up on the electric current….brother.”
“When we pledged our allegiance to this alliance. You swore to me, my people would be safe. When HE marked her like the savage monster he is, you assured me you had him under control. A lot of assurance…Not a lot of results.”
“I for one am beginning to question—-“
“I’ll handle him. See——gone, he’s gone. I’ve sent him to his mother. As for you my dear friend….i have a solution.”
“A solution?”
“Otto has been guarding her well. They seem to love each other. Let’s move the marriage up….but she must regain her god-mind. I cannot claim, nor protect her, if you insist on keeping her human. I believe Otto has proven his loyalty. Only when the veil has been lifted, and she knows who she is, will she be under the full protection of ME.”
“We will discuss it. You just keep your end of the deal….Magnus.”
"So, it’s because of him." Otto whispered . "Why didn’t anyone tell me? I would have been more cautious. He only revealed himself in the past few days, but I thought it was just to irritate me."
"You’re not that important to him . Word of advice, don’t lift your sword to him if you want to keep that pretty head of yours on your neck."