Written in the Sand: Book 1 of the "Written" duology

Blade and Chalice

I looked around when I got outside and remembered the way Hamish and I had come from, and decided to take the opposite way. Walking along the path for quite a while, I ended up near a building. I looked up at it, shielding my eyes from the light.

The building was called Blade and Chalice. "Funny name," I remarked as I walked in.

The place was busy, but not like a bar would back home. I took one of the few open seating at the bar. The bartender looked at me and gave a smile. "Anything I could get you?" She asked.

"Can I have some water, please?" I said, giving her my best and polite smile. I looked around at the place. It seemed like something my dad would go to on a Friday night with his buddies after work. I barely got my glass of water when someone sat down beside me.

"Hey," The person said. "Isn't it a bit early for day drinking?" They said.

I looked over to see a very handsome man in a beanie. His hair was sandy blonde and had beautiful green eyes. His teeth were oddly straight and white, which threw me off.

He's no Hamish.

"Er, hi?" I said, taking a sip of my water.

"My name is Trevor," He said, looking at me and not making a move to shake hands or anything. "Trevor Wilson," I gave him a suspicious look.

"Well, Trevor, what are you doing sitting here. I don't talk to people I don't know," I said ironically, thinking back at how I met Hamish, Randall, and Lilith.

Those were different circumstances, though, I reminded myself.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I'd like to get to know you," Trevor said, looking at me with big hopeful eyes. For some reason, that look repulsed me. Well, not me exactly, but it repulsed Spitfire.

But it also intrigued me at the same time. This guy seemed nice enough, and he can probably make me forget about things for a while...

"Okay," I said, then added, "Trevor." I sipped on my water, looking at him over the rim of my glass. Trevor gave me a beaming smile. "It would be helpful to know your name," He pointed out.

I shook my head, smiling. "Sorry, my name is Mazikeen Sage," I said, setting down my glass. Trevor looked at me funny. "Is that some sort of nickname you give yourself, or a stage name?" He asked. I couldn't help but laugh. "No, God given," I said jokingly.

Trevor gave a shrug. "Alright, then, Mazie,"

I gave a flinch. "I don't like nicknames," I said flatly. "Especially that one," I didn't want Trevor to use nicknames in general only because he was a person I barely knew, and I didn't trust him fully yet.

Trevor held up his hands in defense. "You don't have to tell me twice, Mazikeen," He said, saying my name as if it was a lemon. I missed the way he said it, and gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Trevor," I said as I focused back on my drink.

"Wanna get out of here?" He said. Trevor was still looking at me, never taking his green eyes off me. I felt like a bug under a microscope. But maybe that feeling was wrong. Maybe it's because I read way too much romance novels and watch to many movies. Or maybe it's a feeling that came from Spitfire.

I gave a shrug. "Why not, I have nothing planned for today, anyways," I said, drinking one last drink of my water before getting up. I pretended that forgot my wallet or money, and I stood there awkwardly. "Um..." I said. Trevor seemed to notice, and shook his head. "The water here is free," He reassured me.

I gave a sigh of mock relief as I stood up and rubbed my hands against my thighs.

"Ready to go?" Trevor asked, a look of pure mischief gleamed in his eyes. I gave a nod, smiling hesitantly. Trevor led me from the campus bar and out into a direction I didn't know.