AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s beautiful here,” I say, turning to look at him.
“I agree,” he replies, stepping closer.
Suddenly there’s a sharp pain in my head, as though someone has taken a dull knife and stabbed it into my skull. I wince and reach a hand up to massage my temple, but the pain only increases. I hiss, falling to my knees and shaking my head.
“Malia!” I hear Cove’s voice and the sound of him falling to the floor next to me. “Malia, what is it? Are you okay?”
As quickly as it came on, the pain is gone again, and I look up at Cove from my knees, feeling foolish.
“Sorry. Just a headache.”
Cove looks at me suspiciously, but after a beat he nods and helps me to my feet.
“Well, maybe I can help you relax somehow,” he says with a suggestive grin.
I shake my head, but let him pull me closer, right into his arms. His kiss is soft and not unwelcome, but I don’t want to take things further. My head’s a mess, and I don’t just mean from the sudden stabbing pain.
As if sensing my reluctance, he breaks off the kiss and presses his forehead to mine. His cool skin soothes the lingering niggling pain there, and I sigh contently.
“Shall we walk down to the ocean?”
“Sounds perfect,” I reply.
He laces our fingers together and gently tugs me in the direction of the beach, and I easily fall into step beside him.
I’m grateful for his company but at the same time, I asked for some space and he isn’t giving me that. I need time alone to think, but I don’t want to seem rude. How am I supposed to process everything when I can’t get a minute to myself?
As soon as I think it, frustration builds within me, like a slowly growing set of waves, until I feel my restraint break.
I pull away from Cove and turn to face him. He looks at me with concern – or maybe confusion – etched on his face. I can’t help but feel guilty for pushing him away, but I need to be honest with him.
I can’t help but feel like half of our problems wouldn’t exist if we’d all just been honest with each other in the first place.
Although if four random guys had approached me months ago and said ‘magic is real, and we think you’re some unknown supernatural being with the power to save the world…but only if we kill you’ I would probably have run away screaming and admitted myself to the nut house.
Maybe I should still run.
Focus, Malia!
“Cove, I appreciate your company, but I need some space to think. I asked for it yesterday, and you didn’t give that to me.” He looks a little wounded and I feel guilty so I add, “Last night was amazing. I loved it and don’t regret a thing. But it was the opposite of space. This morning, more than ever, I just need room to breathe. Is that okay?”
He nods, understandingly. “Of course, Malia. I understand. Take all the time you need.”
He stares at me until I become uncomfortable. I’ve never felt like this around Cove before. What’s happening to me?
“Alone?” I prompt him, hoping he’ll get the message and I can avoid any awkward confrontation.
His face twists in an expression of remorse but he doesn’t step back or give me space.
“I get it, Malia, I do. If we were at home I could absolutely give you space, but here, I can’t. The danger is still out there. We can’t risk losing you.”
Because you care about me, or because you care more about the star?
When he reaches for my hand again and tugs me forward, I snap. A surge of something white-hot and pissed off flares within me and a split second later Cove hisses and yanks his hand from mine.
“Fuck! Ouch. Did you feel that?”
Did I just…shock him?
