My breath hitched in my throat when Adam stopped at my words, and turned to face me. But not just his face now, but his entire frame; his rib area was on the hay, and his body was at a 180 degree angle.
His eyes were full of emotions that were not healthy to my heart.
“Why did you turn? I think you should return to your former position.” I met his gaze head on, aware that any slight movement I indulged would sell me off-that I was affected by him.
If my words hadn’t revealed that much already.
“Do I make you uncomfortable, Dora?” Adam’s eyes perused the contours of my face as if commiting the edges of my face-or rather mask-to memory, though I noticed that his gaze lingered the most on my lips when his eyes caught them.
“Yes, you make me uncomfortable, Adam. I don’t like you, your brothers included. You all have this negative aura. Are you going to continue the story or not?”
He huffed then, and turned away from me, returning to his former position.
Thank the goddess.
“Would you ever get past your hatred for me and my brothers? Or at least tell us why you are so angry with us?”
“I just mentioned it, Adam. I don’t take you as one with a sickly hearing. Or are you?
Adam laughed then. A mocking laugh. “You don’t have magic, Dora. So, how would you sense that? Or did you forget that I know of your no magic-ness?”
I gritted my teeth, and sat up straight. Enough about hearing his confession. I needed to get rid of this toxicity.
But before I could get up from the hay, Adam drew me by the arm sharply, such that I fell into his arms, with a gasp.
What the hell!
“I ask again, Adam. Are you that desperate to have me in your arms?” I questioned sharply, after shrugging his hands off my arms.
He looked at me squarely for a full minute, before his next words. “The only girl I had been desperate to have was Maya.”
“Right. The girl that suddenly disappeared. Complete her story will you…” I said, choosing to sit up this time around, and not lie down.
If Adam noticed, which I am sure he did, he didn’t make any comment about it. He must be tired of warring with me.
“You wanted to know about my relationship with Claire, but I think I will finish my tale about Maya first. I think you’ll understand things better from there.”
There was a slight pause, and then he continued again, this time, he spoke as if he was counting the words.
“As I mentioned earlier, Maya had been put in a holding cell. My brothers and I had tried talking with the elders, but then we were sent out of the room, to give space for the final decision. I went to the cell thereafter, and then I discovered that Maya was gone. I don’t know how that had happened, or who had helped her escape. I even asked Claire about it, but she had denied helping Maya to escape.”
I shook my head while sitting, catching myself when Adam furrowed his eyebrows at me.
“Why are you shaking your head? Do you know something about Maya…?”
“Why would I? In case you haven’t heard, I have been by myself in the city of the humans. So, I know nothing of Maya..” My answer was void of truth, but was schooled as one.
“You might have met her there, you know…if she escaped…”
“Escaped? How!”
I bit my lips in annoyance both at my lack of control over my emotions, and Adam’s lies.
I almost cussed out loud when Adam shifted backwards for my loud voice, his penetrating gaze scalding my cheek. He must be wondering what that was about.
Why was I giving myself away?
But can I be blamed? He was lying! He and his brothers had sabotaged me, and here he was, playing the blame game.
Well, two can tango.
“So, you didn’t beat her up, probably kill her, for staining your reputation with your father?”
I looked at Adam starkly, to catch his reaction, but what I saw there wasn’t what I expected.
I expected a lying gaze. I expected a surprised gaze at being caught. But what I saw was confusion.
Adam blinked his eyes vigorously like he was trying to remember something, then shook his head, as if he gave up on remembering that particular thing.
“What is the problem, Adam?” I couldn’t help but ask, noting the blank sorrow on his face.
“Nothing really. I am just trying to imagine myself doing that…” He laughed now. “But I can’t. I could never do that to Maya. That would be evil. How would I?”
There was truth in his eyes, but I had been the one beaten. I had been the one that had suffered in their hands. I had seen the hatred in their eyes, right before they had delivered the last blow that had sent me to the abyss.
So, how can I be convinced that he was innocent? That was impossible. It only could mean that he was a good liar, and that this meeting had just been a waste of my time.
“What about Claire then? If you knew that she had been the one behind the attack, why are you still frolicking with her?”
I changed the topic, not wanting to dwell on the subject of my almost death.
“Well, for a month or so, I avoided her. That’s until my father caught wind of the act. He, in his ways, had gotten us both together again, since we were supposed to be mates. That changed swiftly though when Rachel showed up. You saw it for yourself. I feel nothing for her, not even pity. I never forgave her for doing that to Maya. What you see is called keeping up with appearances. I am not sure she is aware though.”
I nodded my head. Claire was not aware. That one was way over her head.
I stood up on my feet, and dusted my thin gown, my eyes leaving Adam to go to the huts. The lamps were still on. My family was waiting for me. I need to go.
“Dora…”
I jerked suddenly, when I heard my name whispered into my ears.
Adam.
When had he gotten up from the hay? What was he doing right behind me?