Shadows Embrace

-Chapter 6-

Everyone went to bed. I was awake, staring at the wall before me. My mind was still reeling as I tried to process everything that's happened in the past two days. Kael, the fights, the kiss. My lips tingled at the memory, and I brought my hand up to my mouth, brushing my fingertips over my bottom lip. 

I shook my head and brushed my wavy hair from my face. It was sticking to my forehead and the back of my neck. It was wild and frizzy from the heat of the abandoned training center. "F this." I grumbled before standing and walking to the bathroom. The building was dark, and I struggled to find something sharp. Thankfully, my eyes are more than used to the darkness.

I finally found a glass shard from an old broken mirror. Standing before an unbroken one, I stared at the disheveled reflection across from me. My green eyes looked dull; my eyes sagged. My lips were drawn downward and my face lacked color. My freckles were dull from no light exposure. I was wearing a black sports bra and some dirty grey joggers. I sighed before grabbing a chunk of my hair and slicing through it with the glass shard.

The hair fell to the dirty floor, and I didn't stop. Hair flowed around me, fluttering to the ground in large pieces. I didn't stop. I didn't stop until all that was left was a jagged bob that ended right at my chin. The short hairs tickled my cheeks. A breeze hit the back of my neck and burst out laughing. I ran my hands through the short locks and laughed violently as tears streamed from my eyes. I spun around in a fit of potential insanity as I relished in the weightlessness of my hair. Why have I never done this before?

"Beautiful." I heard from behind me, and I froze. My head jerked around to see who was creeping on me. Slade stood at the bathroom doorway; his broad frame leaned against the wall and his arms crossed across his chest. He was smiling at me so warmly my cheeks warmed. I subconsciously lifted my hands to fiddle with the ends of my hair nervously.

"Don't be shy, Liara." He whispered. I laughed and spun around, "You like?" I asked and his grey eyes glowed. "Beautiful." He mumbled again and my stomach fluttered. My breathing hallowed as he approached me. His large hands found my waist and I sucked in a deep breath. One hand came up to tuck my hair behind my ear and stroke my cheek. 

"I can't stop thinking about that kiss." he muttered.

"Me either." I breathed and he took that as a sign. His hand gently snaked around my neck and pulled me in to lock our lips once again. My chest burst with fireworks and my stomach warmed as I felt a heat I've never felt before. Sure, I've kissed guys before, but never like this.

A grunt and a clearing of a throat break our kiss, and we pulled away as we looked to see who interrupted our moment. "I like the new haircut, Liara." Kael spoke gruffly as his red gaze burned into my soul. The invisible tether returned, and my heart ached in a confusion burst of unknown feelings.

"Sorry to interrupt," his deep voice grumbled, "but I need to tell you all something. Maybe once I say it, you'll stop being foolish and risking your lives for nothing." 

"Hey, we are not risking our lives for nothing, we-" I retorted but Kael silenced me with a wave of his hand, "Yes, I know, Liara. Your duty." I huffed and pursed my lips at his mocking tone. "Come, let's find the others." He huffed before turning. 

I glanced up at Slade and he shrugged. "He has no chance up against four of us if he tries anything. Let's just see what he has to say." I sighed and nodded, "Okay, I trust you." We followed Kael out into the lobby of the training center and gathered Novalee and Rivers. "Okay, what's so important you had to wake me up, Whisperer?" Novalee hissed at Kael, and he just rolled his eyes.

"The Whisperers are innocent." Kael started and we all burst out laughing.

"Of course you would say that, silly goose." Novalee giggled.