Sianna and the Soulweaver

Chapter 13- The Flash of James

Then, before I can blink, I am overtaken by a blast of light, white hot and all-consuming. It blinds my vision and fills my lungs, sending me flying through the air for what feels like a lifetime.

A violent smack to my head knocks me unconscious before I can even register my body hitting the ground, my silly hope to gain momentum towards victory absolutely obliterated.

•••••••••••

"Oscar Wilde. Quite a melancholy read for such a merry day, no?" I look up from the page I'm on, eyeing the stranger pestering me with mild curiosity. He is handsome, very handsome, with tousled auburn hair and a jawline that could cut through stone like butter. His eyes are an enchanting shade of green with long lashes and a killer smile―although none of this excuses interrupting The Picture of Dorian Gray.

"What's so merry about it?" I ask him, waving my hand indifferently at all the twinkling lights decorating the deserted dive bar.

"Well, it is Christmas Eve. Is it too early to wish a pretty girl a Merry Christmas?"

I roll my eyes, twenty-four at the time of our meeting. "I'm far from a girl."

"A beautiful woman then, my mistake. May I buy you a drink to make up for it?" He's quick, easygoing, not missing a beat despite my contention.

"It would seem I'm already covered, but thank you." I raise the cocktail glass up to my lips and take a sip, essentially ending the conversation right then and there.

Or so I thought.

"To be fair, it looks like that glass is on the verge of empty..." He signals to the server passing by us, ordering two of whatever 'the lady is having' and putting my initial drink on his tab as well.

"Depending on who you're asking, it could be heading towards full." I respond, biting back the grin on my face.

"And if the person I'm asking happens to be you, what would you say? Empty or full?" I allow myself to smirk at his question now, his smooth charm catching me off-guard. He pulls out a seat and looks to me, waiting for my approval before sitting down. For some reason I feel myself nodding, inviting him to sit down when seconds before I was ready to never speak to him again. I am not sure whether it's his classic good looks or his beguiling personality, but I find myself wanting to know more.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see." I reply, downing the last drops of my cocktail and feeling my heart stutter when he gives me a breathtaking smile.

Wow. Who is this guy?

"I'm James. James Davies." He answers my unspoken question, prompting me for my own name as well.

"Sianna Byrne." I respond, turning to thank the server as she sets down our drinks. She's very pretty, noticeably so, with sharp black eyeliner and wavy blonde hair that cascades down her bosom. She says "you're welcome" but looks at James when she says it, despite me being the person thanking her in the first place.

James Davies doesn't look at her with a single ounce of interest, though. He is still looking at me.

"Sianna Byrne, cheers to you." He clinks his glass to mine, both of us taking a gulp and my chest growing tight.

I have a suspicious feeling that this won't be our last drink together.

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