Illicit

His hand reached back and took mine as if he had heard my thoughts and was seeking to reassure me, because yes, I was jealous as all heck.

She had a sugary sweet laugh that was sickening, and sent chills down my spine. I felt as though something was reaching out to touch me, but could see nothing but the back of Thorn.

He started speaking angrily to her in what I guess was Russian, and then his brother and sister were there next to us, well in front of me really, and I realized they were protecting me.

I had no idea of what was being said obviously, but the animosity was pouring off of the Azarovs in waves.

Her words reminded me of the wind in the dark clouds for some reason and something was now beating at the edges of my mind, but all I saw was darkness when I tried to see.

There was stillness all around and an eerie darkness on the walls that hadn’t been there before. I felt cocooned and hidden away from view.

It was as if the rest of the cafeteria ceased to exist, and it was just us four facing this woman, whoever she was.

She reached out a hand to touch Thorn who pulled back with a curse before looking back at me.

Something weird thumped in my chest. It was one of those fight or flight moments I guess you’d call it. But I didn’t feel like fleeing this time.

I was on my feet before I knew it, anger blurring my vision. Before I could do anything one way or the other, Thorn pushed me back behind him.

I didn’t know who this person was, but I knew I wanted her gone and when she reached out to touch Thorn again, I think I growled at her.

She said something to me with a smirk on her face that would’ve been enough to make me go into hiding a week ago. Only now it sounded like a challenge to me.

I was actually flexing my body to go after her, nails drawn and all. I felt a calm that was foreign to me but somehow felt right, like it had been a part of me forever.

Suddenly Thorn's fist came down on the table, breaking it in two and making everyone, including the blonde jump. Outside, the sky grew dark again and thunder rolled in.

"Mina you will die." That was Thorn's voice, but I don't think I'd ever heard anything so sinister in my life.

The girl, Mina, jumped back and said something else before glaring my way, and sauntering back, the way she’d come.

The feelings of darkness and cold that she’d brought with her dissipated a little, but I still had that sense of impending doom.

“Come, I will take you home.” He reached for my hand and it was only then that I realized I was shaking.

“But I have classes.” I tried to keep up with his hurried pace as he dragged me across the room with his siblings following behind.

“Not to worry, Natalia will collect your lessons for the day.”

The noise of the cafeteria flooded back in as if someone had turned a switch. No one seemed disturbed, leading me to believe that they hadn’t seen any of what had transpired. But how can that be?

“Thorn what’s going on, who was she?” it was hard to keep the green fangs of jealousy at bay. I mean he obviously knew her and she was gorgeous and the way she spoke to him...

My thoughts were cut short when I found myself pushed up against the nearest wall and his lips were on mine, his body pressing me into it hard.

This kiss blew all the others out of the water. He sucked on my tongue in a way that told me he never wanted to let go.

It was hotter than hell, making me forget for those few precious moments, just where we were.

When he lifted his head from mine and looked down at me with all that heat I had no control over my actions.

I pulled his head back down to mine and bit his lip hungrily. Now why did I do that? The growl he made reverberated through my body and warmed me between my thighs.

“We have to stop love; b’lyad’, fuck.” He rested his forehead against mine. “She’s not prettier than you lyubov moya, no one is. Don’t cry.”

He dried my suddenly appearing tears before turning and continuing down the hall, with my hand gripped firmly in his. His brother and sister were standing at the door, waiting for us, on full alert.

I wasn’t dumb enough not to know that there was something very serious going on here. They checked even the sky as they rushed me to Thorn’s car.

“I’m taking her home with me, you may follow after you’ve collected her things.”