Fortune Favors the Bold

10

"Behind you."

Kalani barely had time to turn around before a powerful push sent her stumbling into the wall of the third floor. She quickly spun herself around, lifting her arm in defense. But he'd already pinned the same arm against the wall above her head, bringing his fingers to her neck.

"Dead," Convict 286 deadpanned, his eyelids heavy with the lack of amusement her terrible progress drew from him.

"You didn't even give me a chance to react after you spoke," she exclaimed, her arm dropping to her side as he stepped away.

He readjusted the long sleeve of his shirt after it had ridden up his metallic arm. She hesitated when he turned around, lightly slicing his middle finger across the side of her neck. "You think people trying to kill you are going to give you a warning before slashing your neck?"

She frowned, pressing her hand against her neck to warm the area his cold touch had grazed. "But you're not going to slash my neck, you're helping me not get murdered."

"I'm wondering if I may have been in over my head."

Kalani scowled as he walked away. Then her eyes sparkled with the idea that drew her footsteps forward. She raced toward him, jumping up to warm her arm around his neck.

But Not-Castiel's hand was already wrapped around her wrist before she could secure a strong enough hold. She inwardly cursed when he grabbed the back of her shirt, throwing her over his head.

She would've cried out when her back crashed into the ground, but all the air had left her lungs. Kalani had to focus on inhaling to refill her body with the oxygen that had suddenly fled away. When she opened her wide eyes, he was still in his leaned position above her, watching her recover.

"You're not the only one...," she croaked, gulping. "...who went over your head." She swept her hand in the air above his head to demonstrate just how she'd flown above him. His eyes slid to her lips as she smiled, the knot in high eyebrows making it clear just how much he was judging the girl.

He pursed his lips. "You're unusual, Makoa."

"How do you know my last name?" She tilted her head.

Convict 286 shrugged. "Maybe from the eight-foot screen we pass every day," he answered sarcastically, standing up.

She lifted her hand. "Help me up?"

"No."

Kalani rolled her lips into her mouth, keeping her hand in the air even as he continued away from her. She groaned, sitting up and trying to keep her head from spinning. "Where did you learn to fight?" She asked, standing slowly as he stopped to peer into the hall outside of the room they were in.

He didn't answer.

"Were you drafted?"

Silence.

"That would explain the arm."

At that, he turned to face her. "Come here."

Kalani's eyes widened. "What?"

He didn't repeat himself, simply motioned to the ground in front of him with a quick glance down. She looked between his different colored eyes before slowly edging closer, wondering what it was he wanted that warranted such a small distance between them.

He's going to kiss you.

He's not, Kalani quickly silenced her best friend's voice.

I can practically taste the sexual tension!