Shifted

Chapter 10: The Campbells

As we began down the staircase, Dillon shoved my jacket in my arms. He sped ahead, taking the stairs two at a time, leaving me struggling to keep up. I had to run after him so I could reach out and grab his arm. He spun midway down a flight to face me. His striking eyes were shining a brighter blue than I'd ever seen, almost sparkling against his flushed face.

"What is going on?" I nearly yelled.

"We've just got to get out of here, out of the cliffs. It's just time to fully activate your power and get it over with. Anyway, I could ask you the same. What's going on with you and why were you falling all over Raine?" he pressed, his cheeks burning brighter.

"Why do you care? Raine is kind and intelligent! We actually have a lot in common," I said through my teeth. Dillon's face twisted in surprise and confusion as he stepped up a step closer to me.

"Raine isn't all that you've cracked him up to be. You just met him this morning! We all have our secrets and faults, especially Raine," Dillon seethed.

"And I've only just met you a week ago. What secrets are you hiding?" I threw back.

"Don't act all holier than thou, you've got your secrets too," Dillon huffed. He took another step closer to me so his face was only an inch or two from mine. I could feel the heat and frustration radiating off of him, but the familiar exciting electricity flowed between us just as strongly as it had the few times we'd gotten this close.

"So what if I do? Why should I trust you with my secrets?" I breathed.

"Because, I'm here to protect you, not exploit you. And you may as well trust me because I already know most of them."

"How would you know the first thing about me, let alone my secrets?"

"Because I've shared your thoughts and point of view for over two damn years now. I see you every time I close my eyes," his voice became surprisingly soft. "I used to hate those visions for taking over me, for taking over my life. But the more I had them, the more I've wanted to know you." His voice was calm but his eyes were still intense and angry.

"So you think after spending a few hours with Raine he wants to exploit me? What even is there to exploit?"

"Briony, don't act like you don't know there's something special about you," he sighed.

"What's so special about having feelings? That's all I do really, I feel things and happen to be able to make other people feel those feelings too. Maybe I just don't want this," I huffed.

"You frustrate me to no end, woman," Dillon fumed and turned back to dashing down the steps. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I followed after him. We came out of the stairwell to a large dinner crowd strolling around the boardwalk.

Dillon waited for me impatiently and grabbed my hand as soon as I made it to him. My hand tingled as his fingers wrapped tightly around mine.

He led me through the crowd toward the elevator that leads to the Puffin's Nest. Instead of taking me over the main bridge, he turned left to another narrow stairwell similar to the one that led to Raine's. We darted down two flights of stairs and came up to an ornate wooden door. Dillon pulled out a key, unlocked it, and pulled me inside. When we were finally alone, he let go of my hand.

"What is this place?" I asked as we stepped on a long royal red carpet that covered the stone floor. Lavish lanterns lined the wall that looked to be centuries old, but they were powered by electricity. There were ancient portraits on the walls that reminded me of Victorian-set movies.

"Just a corridor that extends off of the castle," he murmured.

"The castle? Dillon, tell me what is going on," I pleaded. He was undoubtedly part of the royal family, but why was he keeping it a secret?