Folks Of Fury (#1; Tales Of Elysia [COMPLETED])

eight.

  Eloise was missing, or at least Toby couldn’t find her in the mess of the house and her phone wasn’t going through.
I meant to help so that we could leave this shit show.
There were Agnate children everywhere, witches eyeing me suspiciously and with obvious threat, vampires trailing my approach like I could be their meal.
The Hounds I went to ask about my friend were helpful enough but ignored anything else and just stared at me which made me uncomfortable.
I was back inside the house and I caught Ezra and Margot, she came up to him from behind. But his friends' strayed gazes made him turn his head just a fraction and his dark eyes seem to brighten so they’re almost silver.
He moved with the stealthy grace of a panther as he wove through the crowd.
I was standing near the wall, but I inched back the rest of the way.
He stopped in front of my sister. Dimples framed a smile that’s probably charmed more than a few girls out of their underwear.
One of said girls strode up in front of him, not missing a step despite the spiky heels on her vinyl boots.
She leaned into him, flashing a strategically placed tear in her fishnet stockings.
But Margot reached them and bore down on the other rival for Ezra's attention, with the cruel-promise of a smirk I was used to getting. I chuckled and shook my head at that scene.
I wanted to take away that power she held over every other person in the room. Show these people what true beauty and power really looked like, by stripping off my glamor and seeing how they will recover from the shock of it.
But I turned away. I had to look for Eloise and get out of here.
“Hey, you okay?” I turned to see Lionel, his strident green eyes peering with concern at me. “I mean, are you having a good time?”
I shrugged, “I would've if I wasn’t looking for my friend. Have you seen her, Eloise?”
He shook his head, “No I just said the to her brother. But she'll turn up, after sometime.”
I sighed and brushed back my hair from my face and rubbed my face. “I can't wait. I have to find her and get out of here.”
His hand came on my elbow and drew me back from walking away, he was tall and in that moment bathed with the darker shades of lights he looked even more sharper in contrast to other times in the light.
“Maybe I can help. Though I’d rather you stayed for a while, I could make you forget.”
“Forget what?”
He smirked coolly, an infectious expression. “Whatever’s made you so agitated. Come on, we'll go upstairs.” holding out his hand.
Waiting.
I hesitated for only a second, placing my hand in his and letting him pull me forward. There was no burning heat where our hands touch.
I shouldn’t be disappointed. It had to be a good sign. I was not going to lose control with him.
We wove through the partygoers in the corridors upstairs.
It was like every inch of the house was filled, until we reach a darkened room at the end of a hallway.
I didn’t stop to think about why we’re here or what it might mean. I already knew. And the burning need to feel rousing at the idea of being alone with a hot guy like him.
Even if he isn't the hot guy I really want.
The door shut behind us, cloaking us in darkness. For a second it was almost too much. When his free hand circled my waist, the only shiver I felt was one of anticipation. The good kind.
Definitely the good kind.
He pulled me against his red shirt. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” I managed to say. The place where his hand touched my waist tingled, the nerves jumping despite the barrier of my leather jacket.
He lowered his head until his lips brushed mine, so softly I barely feel it. Then they’re gone.
Just as I was wondering if that was it, his lips were back, the pressure stronger.
It was weird at first, a lingering taste of unripe berries and ice, but it was nice, too, like sharing a secret.
His tongue licked at my lower lip and I pulled back. He loosened his hold on my waist but doesn’t move away from me.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “If you don't want to go any further, we'll go look for your friend instead.”
“Toby will probably find her taking a swim or something.”
Lionel laughed, a soft interesting timbre sound. “Maybe.”
I felt his breath against my cheek and then his lips were on mine again. The weight of his chest pushed me back against the door as his tongue invaded my mouth.
His hand moved through my jacket and the shirt I had underneath, his fingers brushing bare skin.
I didn’t stop him. I waited to see if I felt anything strange.
But there’s nothing. No electric shock, no crashing through a world of explosive passions. No risk that I’m going to go combustible on him.
His touch was soft and warm and soothing. Not hot like Ezra's.
Lionel’s hands travel further north, bringing me back into the moment. Damn. I should not be thinking about Ezra right now.
I put my hands on his shoulders and kissed him back. I pressed closer until there’s nothing but the feel of his lips, his mouth, his hands.
He broke the kiss, his fingers still moving across my skin. His thumbs rubbed circles on my lower back. I can just make out his face in the dark.
  He looked different here in the shadows, better-looking than I thought at first, with impossibly high cheekbones and a strong jaw. There was a question in his eyes as he watched me, an invitation.
Then a pounding on the door startles us both.
“Senoy?” The door pushed against my back as it opened and I have to jump out of its path, away from Lionel.
Ezra’s shoulders filled the frame. “Is everything okay?” his eyes passing from his friend's to mine.
A tickle of nervous energy made my stomach tighten.
Is he jealous? I tried not to let myself hope for things that couldn’t possibly be true.
“We’re fine,” Lionel said. He slid his arm around me and pulled me back to him.
For the second time, Ezra looked directly at me. “Your friends are looking for you.” The words are neutral, but everything about his posture was tense. The slightest pressure and he’d snap. “They’re ready to go.”
“He can stay here if he likes.” Lionel didn’t even try to make the sentence sound innocent.
Ezra emitted a low guttural sound that’s almost a growl.
I shrunk back, clearing my throat. “I should go.”
Lionel whispered in my ear. “Back here in five minutes.” It was not a question.
I stepped forward, but Ezra still stood in the doorway, blocking my way. We’re too close, inches apart.
I almost felt the current of electricity that hung in the air between us. Only the fact that Lionel was right behind me kept me from running to the farthest corner of the room.
“Excuse me?” I said, my voice hoarse from kissing one of his best friends.
Ezra blinked and took a small step back. “They’re in the kitchen.”
I slid past him, twisting my shoulders so my body didn’t touch any part of his.
Eloise headed me off in the living room. “By the Saints, Senoy.” She raked her hands through her auburn hair.
“What’s going on?”
I almost launched into the whole story. About the weird jealousy for Margot with Ezra and my kiss with Lionel, but the worry in her tone stopped me.
“What do you mean?”
“What are you doing with Lionel Niccard?” She eyed me as we walked out of the house.
“Nothing.” The answer was pure reflex. It was far easier than trying to sort out the truth.
Eloise looked around to make sure no one was listening.
“Samantha Forrester saw you go off with him. She’s pissed.”
Join the club, I wanted to say.
Instead, I just waited, knowing she wouldn't be able to resist filling me in on whatever latest drama involved the cliques of our school. Which this time would be about me.
“Hello? You hooked up with Lionel! What were you thinking?”
“Honestly I wasn't exactly thinking past enjoying the moment.” I replied and looked up the sidewalk to see Toby drive up.
Eloise chortled, and I turned to see her smile, her cheeks pinked by alcohol and amusement. “Wow, it isn't everyday I get to see my best friend have a meaningless hookup at a party.”
I nudged her as she took shotgun, but smiled. “It isn't everyday I go to any party on this side period.”
     
                                       ~♤~