Page 11 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“I don’t need your help, Colton,” I say, getting to my feet.

“Your pride says one thing, but your aura says another,” he muses, his gaze fixed on me. Nyx could read auras too. I wonder if that’s an ability I may have one day.

“And you’re suddenly an expert on reading auras?” I turn away from him, my cheeks heating.

“Oh, I’m an expert on many things, my little enchantress.”

“Apparently not an expert at winning over the ladies.” I can’t help the smile that curves my lips.

“Funny, you are a real charmer,” he says, getting to his feet and moving directly in front of me. I don’t shy away from him. Instead, I hold his eye contact, no matter how uncomfortable this close proximity makes me. “Give me your hand.”

“No. Why?”

“Give me your hand. I’m not going to bite, not unless you ask me to.” He winks, and I give him a vulgar gesture before he takes my hand in his, laughing.

“You are a little spitfire, aren’t you? I bet Nikki boy didn’t know what to do with you,” he says, shaking his head. I pull my hand away and for the first time take a step back.

“Let’s get a few things cleared up. I don’t understand what you’re playing at with wanting to help me, but I don’t trust you. Not only do I not trust you, I don’t like you. However, if I am going to allow you to assist me with my magic, then you are going to stop bringing up Nyx, you got it?”

“It’s a deal, Princess.” He takes my hand, his grip firm, a jolt of electric shock shoots up my arm, and a light bursts from my palm as my fire rushes to the surface.

“What the fuck was that?” I exclaim, darting my eyes from my hand to Colton’s face.

“I’m sorry. Did you think you could learn defensive magic without a little pain involved?” He reaches over, petting Chepi and laughing at me, and I can’t help but gape at him.

“A little pain? That really hurt.” I rub my hands together.

“But did you notice how quickly your magic reacted, ready to defend you? It’s easy to let it come to the surface when you trust it and get out of your own damn head.” He presses his finger to my temple, and I pull away, giving him a dirty look.

“I really don’t like you.”

“Lucky for you, you don’t have to like me for this to work. And by the looks of it, that’s the most fire you’ve been able to conjure all morning.” Colton glances at the wisps of smoke still scattered around us. I won’t admit it to him, but he is right.

“I’m listening.” I cross my arms, my eyebrows raised.

“You don’t have time to learn to control your magic right now. It might be dangerous in Zomea, and if something comes after you I want you to act first and think about it later. You need to have terrible, sad, and infuriating memories at the ready, and when you need your magic you go to the deepest darkest place you can find within yourself and let it out. Fae magic will always run off emotions. Emotions are your friends right now. Don’t be afraid to get upset.”

His eyes never leave mine, and I don’t like what he’s saying. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, realizing I’m going to have to think about things I’d rather stay buried forever if I am to survive this.

“Yeah.” I look down at my feet.

“Hey, after you unlock the bridge and make it back from Zomea, I’ll teach you anything you want to know about Fae magic. That is if you haven’t killed me yet,” Colton says, his voice a bit softer for a moment. I let my lips turn up on one side of my mouth. It’s a nice thought—if I make it back from Zomea.

“Let’s get started.” I clear my throat, looking up at him. I can’t help but take a closer look at Colton’s appearance. His sandy blond hair, cut short but with longer, wavy strands brushing his shoulders, adds to his striking appearance, augmenting his rugged handsomeness. Meanwhile, the stubble adorning his jawline enhances the overall air of hardiness and virility that is characteristic of a seasoned warrior. He is built like no man I have ever seen and would be a force to reckon with even if he didn’t have any magic. I know close to nothing about this man and can’t help but be curious about his past.

I shake my head, pushing these useless thoughts out of my mind and square my feet in front of him, ready for whatever he’s going to throw at me next.

Colton begins to circle me like a predator stalking its prey. “Ready, Princess?”

“Stop calling me that,” I retort, annoyed with all the nicknames.

“Then show me you’re not one. Show me the dark enchantress I know you are,” he teases. “Show me you can handle a little attack.”

In an instant, he thrusts his hand forward, fingers splayed wide, and a gust of wind rushes toward me with startling force. It takes me by surprise, and I stagger back a few steps, bracing myself against the invisible onslaught.

“You need to anticipate the attacks, Lyra,” he instructs, still circling me.

“Easy for you to say,” I snap, brushing a wild strand of hair from my face. As if on cue, he raises his other hand, and the earth beneath me starts to tremble. Roots erupt from the ground, snaking toward me.