Fall

Chapter 75: Like Fire and Powder

I'm not really sure how to feel about the fact that Elijah's gotten into my home, lied to my mother to do it, putting up a front for her. A voice in the back of my head tells me that I'm not much better, I lie to her all the time.

I quickly suffocate that voice. 

"So, you know, you're welcome to stay here and rummage through this stuff or Kara and I could help you load it into your car." My mom offers, oblivious to the way Elijah and I are staring at each other.

It isn't until my mom walks to my side that Elijah breaks eye contact to look at her. "Yeah, or I could get someone else to pick it up tomorrow." It's hard to pinpoint his accent, it sounds like an amalgamation of multiple and I can't help how alluring it sounds.

"Also a good plan." My mom lets out a little chuckle, eyeing Elijah and I with a weird look on her face. What, does she know?

The man in question raises his head a bit, a smile easing its way onto his face. "It smells delightful in here. Have you been baking all day?" He directs the question to me, his hand moving to his belt while he tips his head.

"Yeah, I was. Baking helps me think things through." I respond, leaning against the now closed closet door.

My mom, who is still next to me during this exchange, lets out a laugh. "Yeah, we've practically become a bakery here." I can hear the slight annoyance in her tone. I'll definitely pay her back for all the flour and sugar and eggs I used today.

He nods, something knowing in those deep brown eyes of his. "Ah. Something on your mind?" His smile has dimmed somewhat, both of us understanding what he is referring to.

"Just a lot going on, that's all."

"Well, I'm sure anything you made was positively delicious."

The way his tongue curls around the word, delivering it to me and my rampant imagination on a silver platter, I have to take in a deep breath. My mind goes to a different scenario where he could be saying that word to me and it's enough to make me blush. 

"I'd be happy to send you with some on your way out." I offer, tilting my head back to indicate to the front door. I don't care if it's rude. We had discussed meeting on neutral terms, and I don't appreciate him infiltrating my home. I'm sure my mom will chide me on this later tonight though.

Elijah presses his lips together and looks down like he's trying to suppress a smile. "Yes, I might take you up on that. Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, Jenna." As he walks to the door, I grab a cupcake to give to him. I hand it over and he turns to me while my mom tries to usher him out the door. "And, Kara...I hope to see you again sometime soon."

The door closes behind him and my mom, and I go upstairs to my room. He wouldn't dare go after Jeremy. And from the sound of it, Elena's in the shower. She takes very long showers, up to two hours if no one interrupts her, so I doubt Elijah will bother her either. I try to keep myself calm, closing my door behind me and trying to feel if I have a single weapon on me. 

Just because I'm drawn to him, have this seed he planted in my chest that continues to grow for him, does not mean I should trust him. As soon as I grab one of my homemade daggers out from under my pillow there's a strong hand on me, Elijah looming over me.

"I'm impressed you did not call out to one of your many friends." He says slowly, his touch like another brand on me. "Now, I would recommend you put the weapon away."

My heart thuds in my chest as I look from the glinting blade to his warm brown eyes, so much closer to me than ever before. It's not an easy decision, but considering how many people are in this house that could get hurt, I slowly push the dagger back under my pillow.