When The Sky Bleeds ✔️

Chapter 22

Sitting across from Meradyth, Garrick, and Lily in the bustling cafeteria, my heart was burdened in my chest. Nala had joined our table this morning, and her budding friendship with Meradyth was evident as they chattered animatedly about their shared bird guardians. But I could tell Nala was seeking comfort, her usual table now marked by empty spots—a painful reminder of the lives that had been lost. My fingers toiled tirelessly, scraping and picking at the crevices of my nails as my friends conversed. Despite thoroughly washing away the dried blood from battle days ago, the phantom sensation of it still lingered beneath my nails.

Desmond stared at me from across the room beneath lowered eyebrows, his eyes narrowing to thin slits. As I absentmindedly picked at my breakfast, I could sense his stare, like a physical pressure on my skin.

I struggled to match the excited conversations of my friends at the table. Josephine's death weighed heavily on my soul, coupled with the guilt of the recruits I had taken part in killing. It was hard to even look at Desmond after that traumatic experience - a stark contrast to what I had thought was love before. Did I still love him? Did I ever really know what love truly meant?

Back home, I had never experienced such emotions - sure, there were flings and relationships, but nothing that matched what I had for Desmond. Perhaps it was because he was different, with powers beyond most. Or perhaps it was because I saw the potential for goodness in him despite his flaws. That thought gnawed relentlessly at my insides - was I in love with the idea of who he could be rather than who he was?

Then again, we were equals now. We both had caused irreparable harm with our vitalities. A wave of nausea washed over me as I thought about what we had become—what I had become.

What would have happened if I had defied his orders again? Would we all be dead? And then there was the added pressure of keeping the secret of being able to summon earthquakes—lying straight to Lily's face every time she mentioned the gaping hole that swallowed up our friends.

"How is my recruit faring?" Desmond's large arm descended upon my shoulders, pulling me from contemplation. The weight of him practically threw me off the metal edge of the bench. His tray clattered loudly as he carelessly slammed it down on the table and squeezed himself between Lily and me. His sudden intrusion made Lily scoot further down the bench; her eyes narrowed in irritation. The force of his presence overwhelmed the small space, and Lily and I shrank back in our seats. His body seemed to take up twice as much room as it should, his broad frame spilling over the edges of the bench. Even sitting, he exuded a sense of physical dominance that made those around him uneasy.

Meradyth's body visibly stiffened, her posture conveying obvious discomfort as she sat across the table. I scrunched my nose in agitation as I tried to shrug off his arm, but it was a futile attempt. Callum growled within my mind, protesting against the unwelcome contact.

"Can you not?" I muttered, shooting Desmond a pointed look. But he only grinned at me, unfazed by my complaint. I was all too aware of his proximity, his face dangerously close to mine. I could smell him - the heady aroma of pine, mountain air, and wood smoke enveloping my nostrils, causing me to breathe through my mouth reflexively. I couldn't stomach his intoxicating aroma at the moment. I couldn't stomach him.

"Stop making it obvious," he growled under his breath for only my ears alone, his eyes flicking to mine in a warning. He alluded to the emotions visibly displayed in my expression, secrets that I struggled to conceal.

I scoffed as Desmond turned on his charm and directed it toward our group, reveling in the awkwardness, basking in our discomfort like a cat in a sunbeam.

Nala held her lips in a tight line, clearly unnerved by his presence. The atmosphere at the table became stiflingly uncomfortable as all conversation ceased.