Scarlet Tempest, #1

by Juniper King

  I snorted and went back to wiping my dress. “Whatever.”

  After a pause he sighed. “Okay, you caught me. I think you’re good looking. Is that a crime?”

  “That depends. Why are you following me?”

  “Following you?” He looked around with a mock confusion on his face. “This is a market, isn’t it? A place where people come to buy food?”

  “You’re staying at a tavern, why not just get food at The Sluggish Nymph.” I asked.

  “Because I was in the town center working and wanted to stop for a snack?”

  “You expect me to believe you just happened to be in this shop at the same time as me?” Way too big of a coincidence for my liking.

  He grinned smugly. “Are you always this self-absorbed? I was already here when I noticed you walking in, so technically, you would be the one following me.”

  My eyes narrowed. You win this round. “Whatever,” I replied, now furiously rubbing at my dress.

  He sighed yet again. I had that effect on people. “Look, Ayre and I are in town for a couple of days. I was just here looking to buy a snack when you walked in.” The tone of his voice drew a glance from me. “I thought I’d try my luck without Ayre around to make an ass of himself, then that woman got to you first. But I meant what I said about venting, I’ve been told I’m a great listener,” he said with an admittedly charming grin.

  My features softened. Could he be telling the truth? Does he truly just want to console me? It is a small town, maybe it was a totally innocent meeting. Not that it mattered, he had already said he was attracted to me, the end game here was always the same.

  “One coffee,” he negotiated. “You feel uncomfortable, you can leave anytime you want, no questions asked.”

  I bit my lip, giving the invitation some consideration. “No obligations?”

  Whether he understood my exact meaning or not, he just nodded and agreed. “No obligations.”

  He did stand up for me with Denise. And he’d helped me clean myself up and pick up my groceries. “There’s a cafe down the street from here,” I said.

  He smiled brightly and swept his arm out, “Lead the way.”

  I felt bad about leaving my basket abandoned on the floor, but I’d be sure to come back and buy everything after coffee.

  As we reached the door, he pushed it open ahead of me and I swept through, avoiding his outstretched arm.

  This is a stupid idea. I always fell for this game, a kind word, a bright smile, a warm gaze. Was I really so lonely and desperate? I’d be sure to tell Jess about this, though, maybe it would get her off my back about dating for a few weeks.

  “I never did get your name,” The man mentioned near my ear.

  I startled out of my thoughts and he smirked. I felt my cheeks flush, both from embarrassment and the ebbing tingles in my neck from his mouth having been so close to my ear. “Selynna,” I mumbled after a brief pause.

  “Aksel.”

  I couldn’t deny he was attractive, though I wish I could. There was something about his breezy, lightly cajoling personality that drew me right in. “Let’s just get this over with,” I griped.

  “You seem like an utter joy on dates.”

  “You’re the one who wanted to go out in the first place. I wouldn’t be offended if you backed out now.”

  He huffed a chuckle from his nose. I could imagine the amusement reflected in his eyes but fought the urge to meet his stare.

  “Nice try. I don’t scare easily.”

  For the second time that day I entered Magnolia’s. Ruth saw me from behind the counter as the doorbell rang.

  “Oh, Selynna, welcome back. Oh my, what happened to your pretty dress?”

  “It’s a long story.” I could only hope I didn’t still reek of peaches.

  She had enough tact not to ask further. “And who’s your friend?” Her eyes were bright and inquisitive. She leaned over to me. “He’s quite handsome,” she whispered. I blushed. “Oh, but listen to me, buzzing on like a schoolgirl. Come in, come in.”

  I headed towards the window seat before changing my mind and plonking down a few chairs away. Sitting in my usual seat without Jess felt wrong.

  Ruth took our drink orders and quickly scooted away, but not before flashing me a sly look.

  “So,” Aksel placed his clasped hands on the table a few seconds later. “Vent away.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Just because you helped me out doesn’t mean I’m going to spill my guts to you.”

  “Okay, how about a civil conversation between adults?” he said with another smirk.

  This man was walking a fine line between drawing me in and getting on my nerves. I had half a mind to take him up on his offer and walk right out.

  Don’t you dare! I could just about hear Jess screaming in my ear.

  “How do you like working at a tavern?” Aksel asked.

  I defused a little and shrugged, “It pays the bills.”

  He tried again. “Seems like the kind of job where you might meet some interesting people. Maybe even some degenerates or dangerous people.”

  “Degenerates certainly,” I gave him a not so subtle up and down, “but I can’t say Woodburne is a haven for dangerous folk.”

  Ruth toddled over to serve our coffees. This time she gave me a little wink before rushing off again. I tried to will the red from creeping up in my cheeks.

  “You can let down your guard just a little bit, you know. It must be exhausting to always act so standoffish.”

  “It’s not an act.”

  “Whatever you say. But the way that woman treats you?” he nodded over to Ruth, “And the way you were about to dive in to save that clerk from that raging bitch.” He rested his chin on his hand, seemingly scrutinizing me under his gaze. “Why is it you hate men so much?”

  My throat became parched. I took a quick sip of coffee and burnt my tongue in my haste. I ignored the sharp pain, trying not to show my careless mistake. This guy was too perceptive for my liking. “Maybe I just dislike arrogant men like you and your friend.”

  He ginned, “You act like it’s such a terrible thing to feel an attraction to someone.”

  “There’s a line between feeling attraction to someone and sexual harassment.”

  “I wasn’t talking about Ayre.”

  “Who said I was attracted to you?” I snapped back as his smirk grew wider. A few seconds later my cheeks were on fire, noticing my mistake far too late. He’d never suggested I was the one who found him attractive, I’d offered that up all by myself. He took a sip of his coffee, taking in my demeanor without another word.

  He was not as obviously beautiful as Ayre — Ayre was sex-on-legs —but Aksel had more of a subtle, artistic beauty to him. Regardless of my attitude towards men, it would be difficult not to find him attractive. A beautiful olive colour without a single freckle, line, or mark, his face was almost too perfect. Not to mention eyes so piercingly green they were almost luminescent; you couldn’t help but be drawn in.

  It’s as though the entire thing is a fabrication.

  “What brings you to town? You said you were working?” He wanted a civil conversation? Fine, I could do civil.

  “We’re weapons merchants.”

  Traveling weapons merchants. Not uncommon, but rare in such a secluded town like ours.

  “Why Woodburne?” I blurted out.

  “Why not? There are mercenaries here as there would be anywhere.”

  “But you can’t have much business here. Why not go to a place like Korinth, or Willisden?” Larger towns with high foot traffic and an abundance of bounty hunters and mercs.

  “Because we didn’t want to go to those towns. We’ve never been to the Eastern Province before; I’d heard nice things. Regardless, it was worth the trip,” he gave me a coy glance before taking a sip of his coffee. “Whether or not we make a profit.”

  I ignored the comment. It sounded more like they were travelers who just happened to sell weapons to support their no
madic lifestyle.

  “So where does your supernatural blood come from? Fairy? Nymph?” He changed topics abruptly.

  I bristled, he must have overheard Denise call me a half-breed and made the connection. “That’s an incredibly personal question.” So much for civil.

  “Is it? It’s not like I’m asking for your three sizes.” He joked, but my face remained as cold as steel. “But I’m sorry if I offended you, I didn’t think it was an intrusive question.”

  My posture crumpled slightly, a sharp remorse hardening in my stomach like a rock. He had no way of knowing why that would be a hard question for me. I’m sure people ask about others’ families and backgrounds all the time in a normal conversation.

  “I don’t know,” I muttered.

  “You don’t know what?”

  “I don’t know where my supernatural blood comes from because I’ve never met my parents.”

  “You’ve never met your parents? Not even your mother?” He seemed genuinely interested.

  “My…” I cut myself off, deliberating how best to phrase my thoughts. “I was left at an orphanage just after birth. I’ve never actually known my parents. Not exactly uncommon for someone like me.” I tried to shrug it off as something that didn’t bother me. Way to be a downer, Sel.

  He appeared pensive, I must have upset him with my comments. I was about to open my mouth to introduce a new topic, but he interrupted my thoughts. “At the store earlier. Does that kind of thing happen to you often?”

  I shrugged, “Yes and no. People often react to me, but in different ways. Some people just avoid me or avoid eye contact, some gawk at me like a strange animal. It’s uncommon for people to so brazenly assault me verbally or physically, but it does happen from time to time. I’m used to it.” My smile was tense as I tried to hide my discomfort.

  His brows drew together as his gaze remained linked with mine. “That sounds terrible.” He sounded genuinely contrite.

  I looked down to the table, uncomfortable with such genuine and intense eye contact. “It’s something I’ve lived with my whole life. I’m the product of a Super and a human going to bed together. It’s an unpleasant thing for most people around here to consider, and I’m just a walking reminder that it happens more than they like to think.” I had never spoken so openly to anyone about my genetics before, not even Jess. It was kind of liberating, being able to talk about it with someone who might understand… if my hunch was correct.

  “But you’re clearly human, you were raised by humans and grew up around them. The only thing different about you are your ears,” he said. I immediately tensed.

  He must have seen the apprehension reflected in my eyes because he quickly amended his words, “I noticed the point the other day in the tavern. Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Well, at least he didn’t seem freaked out. I sighed. “I’m sure it’s an easy distinction for you, but for humans, I’m far enough over the line that it makes them uncomfortable.”

  His eyes narrowed a fraction, “Why do you say it’s such an easy distinction from me? What makes me so different?”

  “Well, because you’re a Super, of course you can see I’m nothing like you. But humans are more critical I suppose. They frighten easily or become aggressive without much prompting when confronted with something they don’t understand. And Supers are creatures they definitely don’t understand.”

  His demeanor darkened, eyes growing sharper —more inquisitive. “How did you know?”

  “Well like you said, I’m more human than anything, I know how they feel—”

  “How did you know I wasn’t human?” All traces of his laidback attitude from only moments ago had vanished. He spoke in low, intimate tones, making sure no one could overhear him. I didn’t realize it had been such a guarded secret.

  On reflex, I shrunk in my seat under his sharp gaze. Maybe I had overstepped my bounds, I shouldn’t have said anything. “Because of your, um, shimmer? I’m not sure how to describe it.” I waved my hand around to try to encompass his entire form in my awkward gesture.

  “What do you see?” Under the hardness of his voice, his interest sounded authentic.

  “The air around you has a kind of… hot quality? Like wavering air rising off hot pavement. It’s very slight, but I can see it clearly if I focus my attention. You still look human, just…” My voice trailed off.

  “You shouldn’t be able to see that,” he said, sounding more thoughtful than angry.

  “Can’t everyone?”

  “No.”

  I was at a loss for words. The fact he was a Super was obviously some kind of secret he was keeping. Why else would he walk around in the guise of a human? But he clearly wasn’t doing it for the sole purpose of blending into society, or else why would he be walking around a small town with a Super as noteworthy as a satyr?

  “It was interesting what happened to that girl in the market today,” Aksel piped up, changing the subject completely.

  What was he getting at? “Karma,” I said shortly.

  “Hmm, I’ve never seen karma throw a bottle off a shelf before.” His eyes bore into mine as he spoke. His tone was light, but the weight behind the words felt threatening.

  The prickling sensation of sweat settled on the nape of my neck. This conversation had taken a very serious turn very fast. Even if he had seen the bottle fly off the shelf, what would make him associate that with me? Could he sense something because he’s a Super? No other Supers have ever acted differently around me before.

  “Guess karma was really pissed off at her,” I replied.

  “Karma should really watch her temper.”

  I wasn’t being baited by that one, I let the conversation die. Ignoring my elevated heart rate, I redirected. “So, what are you, then?”

  He smirked, though his eyes weren’t quite as airy as they had been before. “Now that actually is a well-guarded secret.”

  I glared at him. He was grilling me about my magic—my secret—right after flirting with me, and wouldn’t even give a hint at what he was? Unbelievable.

  “Glare all you want; I’m not going to tell you. Besides,” he leaned in a little, eyes glinting, “that ‘glare’ just makes you look cuter.”

  My cheeks warmed, at a complete loss for words yet again. I couldn’t tell if this guy was messing with me or genuinely flirting. Either way, it was clear he was enjoying himself.

  I guess he wasn’t interested in holding a grudge, though, luckily for me. I didn’t need to be on the shit-list of some mystery Super.

  “Nothing? Don’t tell me you’re actually accepting compliments from a man now.”

  “Don’t act so familiar, you don’t know anything about me.”

  “You’re pretty easy to read actually,” he grinned, sipping his coffee for effect. “I think you put on a big show of being tough and callous, but really you’re just a kindhearted, lonely girl looking for some companionship —not necessarily sexual companionship.” He held up his hands, no doubt due to the glare which was still plastered on my face. “And, judging by your attitude towards this date, I think you’ve had some rotten luck with people in the past, particularly men.”

  There was a pause in our conversation as I processed everything he’d said. “You don’t impress me,” I said quietly. That was a lie.

  His subtle sneer coupled with the deliberate, probing eye contact suggested I had given him the exact response he was looking for. “Can I ask you a question?” he said, changing the topic with ease. “Why do you stay?”

  My brows snapped together, “Excuse me?”

  “Why don’t you move to a city that’s more supernaturally friendly, a place where you have some anonymity and solace?”

  “This is my home.” I said as obviously as I would have said the sky is blue or the grass green.

  “But can you really be happy here when people treat you so badly?” His voice was soft—kind. Anything but judgmental. In fact, he seemed honestly concerned about my well-be
ing, offering advice he thought might help.

  Wrapping my hands around my coffee mug and sinking slightly in my seat, I stared down at my fingers. “Not everyone treats me like that.” Thoughts of Jess, and Branek, the kids and Leanne, even Ruth filtered into my head. Surely they wouldn’t be happy if I left.

  “That’s no excuse, you deserve better.” His hand seemed to unconsciously drift towards mine, before sharply pulling back.

  I slid my hands across the tabletop, pulling them tighter into my body. “It’s no concern of yours. Woodbourne is my home. I was raised here and I’m going to stay,” I said with conviction. Who the hell was he to tell me what I should do with my life? So what if he was perceptive, he didn’t know me. And he certainly didn’t care about me.

  After a moment he nodded, his eyes hooded. There was no trace of the smile left on his face. We sat in silence, the mood around the table darkening after the awkward barrage of conversation.

  He sighed heavily and finished his coffee in one last sip. “Well, I’m sure you’re sick of me by now,” he stood up and threw a silver on the table, paying for both his and mine. “It really was nice seeing you again, Selynna.”

  He walked away, leaving me alone at the small table, blinking at his retreating form. The doorbell chimed with his exit and my chest grew tight, the coffee in my stomach sitting heavily.

  I’d often felt angry, or betrayed, or upset, but I had never felt guilty after a date before.

  5

  My shift ended fifteen minutes ago, but Meghan had yet to arrive. I dropped off a plate of chicken wings to a pair of young men. “Enjoy.”

  I was dying to get off my feet, take a hot shower, and curl up with a few chapters of my latest mystery novel before bed. Anything to get my mind off the events of yesterday. Throughout my entire shift, and while lying awake in bed last night, I’d been replaying my date with Aksel. All the questions he’d asked me, how mysterious yet nonchalant he’d been acting, how he seemed to know all about my telekinesis but refused to even hint at what his own magic could be.

  How his eyes lit up when he smiled.