Recover

Chapter 17 Adrian

"The party is being broken up now, hopefully our clients will be resourceful on how to get the new comers into the tower Sir." Jeb says, wiping his still sticky face- he won't say what happened.
"Thank you, so our numbers have gone up?"
"They are continuing to increase the more newbies we get."
"Father will be pleased with all your hard work. Keep it up."
"Will you-?"
"I better, unless something comes up." I smirk, though inside in hoping something will come up, I hate these parties in the tower, it's too much all at once. Looking at Jeb and Warren-  Warren is texting making sure everyone's okay and ready for later as Jeb updates me with what Warren missed in the briefing earlier. We're in Warren's room as it's closest to the tower for the later evenings events.
Suddenly the window is being pulled up and a girl is climbing in and slamming it shut again.
She turns around quickly. "Don't tell please. Just carry on whatever you were doing- don't snitch." Her voice is like a layered cake with the accents I can detect from her, but the primary one is English.  She sneaks into Warren's wardrobe and we all look at each other with the same shell-shocked face.
"Be natural." I hear her hiss through the doors.
"She threw her drink in my face!" Jeb bursts out with breaking the silence. Warren and I start laughing.
"What did you do?" Warren snickers.
" I-" Before Jeb can say anything almost a knock on the front door.
Warren goes to answer it as Jeb and I look at the wardrobe where the girl is.
"Guys, it's Wikkis." The main Night Warden.
"Hey Wikkis, what's wrong?" I say casually, referring to him by his surname like we do all The Staff. He's a man in his late forties or so, we can get away with anything from him.
"The newbie parties, you know what they're like. No one's come in have they? You know the rules."
"Do you see any one other than us?" Jeb challenges but makes it sound like a joke.
"You can never be too careful. If you see anyone please get them home safely." Wikkis asks. I
"Of course, you know we will." Warren winks throwing himself on his beanbag.
"Thanks boys. I swear they never keep time and always forget. One day it'll get them out..." He mumbles darkly before leaving us, shutting the bedroom door behind him.
We all hold our breath until the front door is slammed shut. Warren quickly checks Wikkis is actually gone before giving us the all clear.
The girl comes out the wardrobe and sighs in relief. "Thanks. I didn't fancy getting in shit before I've even got in the front door."
"So you climbed into Warren's bedroom?" I challenge her, leaning forward. There's something about her that's...wrong. Or too right.
"Gotta work with what ya got, don't cha?" She puts her hands on her hips, raising her eyebrow at my challenge. Oohh she has some kick.
"And this was it? Get surrounded by guys? Is this what you like?" I get up, moving closer to her, trapping her.
She smirks cheekily - how is that possible? "I-" But something behind me snags her attention and her shutters go down, making her warm light eyes cold and dark. For fucks sake what happened? What was she going to say?
"It's you." Her eyes narrow.
"You ruined my top." Jeb snaps.
"What did he do?" I ask her. I want all her attention, what's going on?
I let my extra abilities out and subtle check out her scent ...And I'm thrown.
She has two scents.
That's not possible...
But somehow she does- a musty charcoal smell that's slightly familiar from somewhere and a burst of a freshly bloomed violet. They only give off a scent the day they bloom, after that they don't have a smell. It's an unusual human scent actually. Why is she so different? I reign in my abilities quickly, not wanting to tire myself out while concentrating on them.
"He grabbed me after being a dick. He wouldn't let me go." She tells me, looking me in the eyes.
"Jeb." My voice is low, but the authority isn't missable. "Apologise. Now."
"I'm sorry for being a prat." He grounds out. "Unless you need me I'll be off."
"See you man." Warren answers as I continue watching this girl.
"What?" She finally asks, clearly getting irritated and I can't help but grin at her acknowledgement.
"Nice outfit." I look her down and up leisurely. Her long hair's down- it's a glorious colour of blondes and browns- is it real?- It looks Just like silk, I want to touch it and  it keeps getting in her eyes, it's dead straight, and she's got a black best top on, with a 'V' neck and lace around the top, and I know it goes around the back before trailing down too, making her bra strap visible slightly, and I'm sure not complaining there. And black short shorts that have making lace on the bottom, showing off more of the smooth creamy-milk coloured skin of of hers- I could've sworn there was a scarf, but hey, it's not like I had time to really look. Her eyes are wide, with long black eyelashes framing them, they're a beautiful misty grey colour, with tints of blue and green flecked in there for good measure.
"Thanks. You too." She dead pans as she mimics me, checking me out. I welcome it- I know I look good- I have too as a Prince of Nightmares.
"You gonna stand and check me out all day or let me walk you back to your room?"
She gawks at me as if she can't believe what she just heard. "Are you fu-"
"Uh uh uh please try to contain your language little one. It's not good for you."
Warren sniggers.
"Shut up." The girl and I say in unison, looking at him. We whip our heads back to look at each other in surprise. I like this girl.
"I'm walking her back to her room then I'm off Warren. I'll see you tomorrow." I hope he gets the hint that I'm missing the party- liking this girl even more now I get to give the tower a miss. "We'll take the front door this time okay?" I tease her, guiding her by almost touching the small of her back. " where's your room? "
"Six-two-six."
She's one of Ava's new roommates she was telling me about. "Ahhh I know where you are. You're Ava's new roommate. Lucie right?" Lucie . It suits her now I look at her.
"How'd you know?" Lucie queries.
"Ava said you travelled." And your cake voice gave that away.
"Oh. " she goes quiet. "How'd you know Ava?"
Is she jealous? Is she asking if I have a girlfriend?
"My cousin. "
"She has a cousin?"
"I hope so. Otherwise this is awkward." I joke, and Lucie laughs, it's a sweet laugh.

We talk more as we travel, and get to her place much quicker than I wanted to.
"Well this is my room." She points to a slightly open window with her thumb.  "Thank you for your help..." Lucie pauses. "Shit I never asked your name I'm sorry."
"Adrian. It's Adrian."
"Thank you Adrian for your help. And riveting company, but I think it's time for me to hit the hay as they say. "  She smiles. I like her saying my name is that weird? It's weird.
"Goodnight Lucie." I say, not wanting her to go yet.
"Goodnight Adrian." And with that she climbs in through her own bedroom window this time. Can I keep her here any longer? No. There's nothing I can say. She waves with her fingers at me before shutting her window and leaving her room. Is she going to Ava?
Ava. That's it! I'll get to her again through Ava.
I'm a fucking genius. I walk back to my own tower with lighter steps than I've had in a while and I'm whistling, as I come up with my marvellous plan.
I'm going figure out this Lucie.