“No, you’re arguing with a girl. You’re gonna lose.”
He shook his head but said no more. He did drive with a little smirk on his lips, though. Theo turned the radio on which effectively ended further conversation, and I was fine with that.
We drove on and on and I knew by the end of this trip I would never want to be in a car again. I was going stir crazy. All I could to do was look out the window because the minute I tried to read a magazine, car sickness would kick in.
I watched the Welcome to Wyoming sign fly by and then the Welcome to Montana.
As soon as pale morning light began to paint the sky, Theo pulled into a hotel.
“We’re leaving a few hours before dark this time,” he commented. “I don’t want another ambush.”
I grabbed my bag and followed him to an empty room. I didn’t know how he knew it was vacant, but it was. He held his hand to the doorknob, and three seconds later it swung open without a key. It was amazing the things he could do, but I’d never tell him that. He was already arrogant enough as it was.
Theo flopped across the bed, the only bed, and stared at the TV until it came on.
“There’s only one bed,” I cried, my cheeks flaming.
He looked around like he hadn’t noticed. He patted the space next to him and grinned cockily. “Hello, snuggle buddy.”
I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw so that I didn’t start screaming at him.
Calm enough, I said, “For a protector, you’re pretty annoying.”
“How do you know we’re not all like this?” he countered, motioning to himself. “Might be a part of the nature.”
“No, I think it’s only you.”
“You think you have me figured out, don’t you? You think you know me?” Theo asked, sitting up and leaning forward. There was a glint in his eyes, maybe anger or maybe a challenge.
I looked him in the eye. They were such a unique gray color; now that I looked closer I could see hints of purple and blue.
“I don’t think anyone knows the real you. Not even yourself,” I murmured.
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for. Maybe it’s your child-like looks that make you seem so young.” He sat back, crossing his legs at the ankles.
“I do not look like a kid,” I defended. “I’m practically eighteen.” Theodore didn’t know it but that was a sore spot with me. I did look like a little kid. I just had an overall young look to me. The only curves I possessed were the ones on my hips.
“I think your attitude makes you seem younger too,” he commented, his words digging into me like he’d intended.
I shook my head, my teeth grinding down, and sulked into the bathroom fighting tears.
This whole situation was entirely overwhelming and dealing with Theo wasn’t exactly easy. I wanted everything to go back to normal. I wanted to be home, with my dad, joking with him or reading a book. I took it all for granted. I never imagined a life when I wouldn’t have that. Now I didn’t know this place where we were going or the people or anything.
And on top of it, a bunch of evil enchanters were chasing us—chasing me.
All I wanted for my eighteenth birthday was a cake and maybe a gift card.
Not this.
I didn’t want to be an enchanter. I didn’t want to be chosen. I didn’t want any of this.
But I had no choice, and that was the suckiest part of it all.
I leaned against the closed bathroom door and took a breath. I wanted a shower, but I didn’t have my bag. I sighed and reluctantly opened the door.
Theo was standing on the other side, one hand poised to knock, and the other holding my bag. He smirked.
“Here, doll face.” I snatched the bag from his hands and slammed the door in his face.
He cackled on the other side, completely unaffected by my rudeness.
I took a long time in the shower, wanting to avoid Theo. I had never met someone who made me so crazy. He was infuriating. But yet, I couldn’t stop the stubborn attraction I felt toward him.
I shook my head back and forth.
There were more important things to worry about.
Getting out of the shower I pulled on the same pair of sweats and t-shirt I had worn before and slipped out of the bathroom. Theo was nowhere to be found.
Not finding him, I sat down on the bed.
“Hey, doll face.” He winked from the floor.
I squealed in fright and reeled back.
He chuckled. “You scare easily.”
I put my hand to my racing heart. “Why are you on the floor?”
“Since the thought of sleeping with me is so appalling I decided I’d sleep on the floor.” He spread his arms so that I could see the blanket and pillow. I knew the floor of the hotel was the furthest thing from comfortable and I instantly softened.
“Theo, I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “One bed is fine. There’s plenty of room for both of us.” There really wasn’t much room but we could make do.
He grinned and grabbed the blanket and pillow before hopping in the bed. “I knew you couldn’t wait to get me in bed.” His smile was cocky.
I narrowed my eyes at him and turned the light off on my side of the bed. I wondered why they always bolted lamps to the tables in hotels. Did people really try and steal the ugly brass and flowered lamps?
“Goodnight, Theo,” I said, scooting under the covers.
“Night, doll face,” he purred in the darkness as he turned the other light off.
My eyes stayed open and I prayed for sleep.
“Wake up, we gotta go.” Theo shook me awake.
Apparently, I had been able to sleep.
I opened my eyes and the late afternoon sunlight blared into the room.
Theo was freshly showered and shaved. It was funny; I hadn’t even noticed how much dark scruff coated his cheeks until it was gone.
I rubbed my eyes and grabbed my duffel bag, disappearing into the bathroom to change. I really hoped that once we got to the manor I would have access to new clothes. I only had three pairs of jeans and three shirts in my bag, plus the one pair of sweatpants.
I brushed my hair and my teeth before slipping on my black flip-flops.
“Let’s roll,” I said to Theo.
“A roll in the sack?” He smiled slowly, his eyes flicking from me to the bed and back again.
I punched his arm. “You know what I meant,” I said and hated the red staining my cheeks. If he noticed, he didn’t comment.
We climbed in the car and sped off. Hopefully, we wouldn’t have any more visits from The Iniquitous. That had not been fun.
“How much longer until we reach Seattle?” I asked.
“Approximately ten hours.”
Ten more hours and we would reach the safe house. The place where I was supposedly supposed to be safe as the name implied and learn to control my magic. Suddenly, I wanted to tell Theo to turn around. But I knew it was my silly nerves getting to me. After all, I was about to enter a place full of magical beings. I sighed. I was one of those magical beings now.
Well, I guess I’d always been, but I hadn’t known it.