EIRA POV:
Please, God—bring a tsunami today, or an earthquake. Anything to swallow me whole. I should have listened to him. I should have come later.
He hasn't taken his eyes off me, not even for a second. If a glare could kill, I'd already be buried six feet under. My whole body is shaking under the weight of his stare.
Then, suddenly, laughter.
What the hell? That boy—he's laughing? Not even afraid? He was clutching his stomach, trying to hold himself up.
"Look at your face, dear! You look as if you've seen a ghost," he said, still fighting laughter.
"No… worse than that," I whispered.
Shit. I think I said it too loud. His laughter exploded again. God, I need steel tape for my mouth.
Adrain still hadn't moved, his glare burning me alive.
"Hi, I'm Drek. Adrain's best friend," the boy introduced himself casually.
My lips parted, but nothing came out. Not a word. My voice had completely abandoned me.
"Come inside!" he insisted.
I couldn't move. My body was frozen, locked in fear. I wanted to, but it felt like my legs weren't mine anymore.
"Don't be terrified of him. I'm his brother," Drek added lightly, glancing at Adrain. "Stop frightening her like this, Adrain."
But before I could even process, Adrain grabbed Drek by the collar, hurled him out of the house, and slammed the door shut with a bone-rattling thud.
Drek started banging on the door, shouting. A few seconds later, silence. He was gone.
Shit. I'm dead.
I didn't dare look at Adrain. My heart thundered painfully, and my throat dried.
"I… I should… also go. I'll come later," I stammered, trying to escape toward the door.
But before I could touch the handle, a hand gripped my elbow with brutal force and spun me around.
I met those eyes. Those dark, merciless eyes I had been avoiding, now locked on me with no escape.
He was too close. Too close. I tried to step back, but my back hit the cold, unyielding surface of the door.
"Adrain… I… I'll talk to you in college," I whispered, swallowing hard.
I tried to sidestep him, but his hands slammed against the door, caging me in.
"Why do you never listen to me?" His voice was low, dangerous.
"This house is in the middle of the forest. Can't you see the danger?"
"I told you to stay away from Peter. But you never listen." His eyes bored into mine, his voice a thunderous growl.
"Why, Eira? Why can't you ever listen?"
His fist banged against the door beside my head, making me flinch and whine with fear.
"I… I just came for Tessy. I need your h-help," I gasped, struggling to breathe.
He seized my wrist, dragging me closer. My body collided with his hard chest.
"How can you even think of going near him again?" he snarled through gritted teeth.
"Are you stupid, Eira? Tell me! Why do you always want to throw yourself into danger? Why do you always want to die?" His grip tightened painfully.
"You're… you're hurting me," I whispered, my eyes brimming with tears.
Something flickered in his gaze. His fury cracked, replaced by something softer—conflicted. For a moment, his grip loosened. His eyes—God, his eyes—were full of emotions I couldn't name.
I didn't realize when he let go completely. He broke eye contact and stepped back.
"Her engagement is on Sunday," I said quietly.
"He will destroy her life."
"Does it look like I care?" His glare cut like a blade.
"Please, Adrain. Don't say that. Please… please!" I begged, tears threatening to spill.
"Leave, Eira. And close the door behind you." His voice was final, cold, as he turned toward the stairs.
Why can't he understand? Doesn't he see Tessy's life will be ruined—worse than ruined—if she marries that jerk Peter? I don't need his help. I'll do it myself.
"I don't need anyone. I'll handle this on my own," I snapped, anger bursting through my fear.
"You're a coward, Adrain! A coward!"
He stopped. Slowly, he turned, his eyes burning holes through me. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
"Stay away from Peter," he said in a voice so sharp it cut straight through me.
"I won't let him marry her," I shot back, and stormed out.
ADRIAN POV:
I've been running in the forest since the moment she left. Her eyes. Her trembling. Her tears. None of it will leave me. Not for a single second.
Why? Why do I lose control around her? Why do I become so weak when it's her?
Every time, every damn time—she makes me falter. And I know her. She won't listen. She never listens.
Goddammit, Eira. Why can't you? Just once… why can't you listen to me?
If I don't do something, she'll throw herself into danger again. And this time, I might not be able to save her.
I grabbed my phone, fury burning in my chest.
"Hello. I want every single piece of information on Peter Dawn," I ordered, my voice like steel.
And then I kept running.