Chapter Six


Chapter Six


As Bramble pulled away from the stranger he leaned in. His lips brushed lightly against her ear lope as he spoke, hot air fanning her neck, “I trust you.”

“What?” Bramble surprise could not be hidden. It was displayed on her face, which was a dark shade of red by now, in her eyes and her in voice. She had been expecting many different reactions from him. 

That was not one of them.

He chuckled and the sound filled her mind with warmth, “I can tell you don’t want to hurt me.”

“And how, exactly, can you claim that?”

A blonde eyebrow arched at her question; his lips pulled into a lopsided smile. He didn’t answer her. Instead he walked casually around her to so he was standing face to face with Chance. The teenager had just managed to locate them in the maze of shelves.

“Do you have it?”

Bramble was sure that was a silly question. Chance’s hands were empty.

“No, give it another week. Maybe less, if father can find the time,” Chance’s eyes slowly drifted from his costumer to Bramble. They stopped on the knife she was wielding, “What in the world are you doing with that?”

Bramble regarded her own hand with wide eyes before rising them up to Chance and then to Cress’ grandsons neck. There was a small red rivulet making its way towards his tan collarbone.
She was certain Chance had already put the pieces together and was about to come clean when her victim spoke up.

“I startled her,” he began, “She was cleaning when I snuck up behind her. Wasn’t aware of what a vicious little thing she is.” His smirk was undeniable.

“I suppose that’s why the shop is currently using books for carpet.” he said while gesturing to the mess behind them. Bramble couldn’t seem to get over the fact that, despite the situation, he still gave off the impression of boredom.

“Yes.” They both chimed in at the same time. They looked at each other, Bramble with a frown and him looking as smug as ever.    

“Well then, I’ll leave you two alone.”  

Bramble silently watched Chance retreat to the front of the store. A few moments later she raked her gaze back over to Cress’ grandson.

“Why are you lying for me?” No matter what he just did, Bramble still didn’t trust him. The way he made her heart race with just a twitch of his lips wasn’t normal. 

“Because, I trust you.” It was a simple answer. Bramble wasn’t buying it.

“Then tell me your name.”

“It’s Airin.”

“You were yanking my hair less than a week ago,” She ran a hand through her short hair to prove her point, “and now, after I attack you, you’re going to tell me you trust me?” 

Bramble was a lot of things. She wasn’t stupid. This man, he was up to something. There was no reason for him to trust her. Especially, not if he really was who he said he was. No one just waltz up to their grandfather’s kidnapper and suddenly declares an alliance. It wasn’t logical. It was foolish.

                The smirk that had graced his lips before slid of slowly, “I only did that because you told me you had killed Cress,” He emphasized killed, “I had only been keeping tabs on you for information.”

                “Keeping tabs?” She hissed. He was following her? “For how long?”

                “From the moment you wanted me to look at you.” That victorious smile returned.

                “The moment I wanted you to look at me?” Bramble’s eyes browed furrowed, “I never said I wanted you to look at me!”

 “You didn’t have to.”

With that he slowly rolled up his right sleeve. He did so slowly, almost as it was a game. When his bicep was finally exposed, Bramble drank in the dark, flawless skin. Flawless except for the palest green light that twinkled playfully.

She couldn’t stop herself from thinking that the hue of his spark matched his eyes.  

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