Jeopardy
670 Words
Alice - POV
When I saw his toned body, I couldn't say anything. James smirked at me as he caught my gaze lingering on him, and I blushed with embarrassment. Thank goodness he put on a t-shirt, or I would have been drooling like a teenager for a few minutes.
"You had something to tell me," he said, and I handed him the last case so he could sign it and we could send it to court. Suddenly, a tremor of light came towards the window. Before I could understand what was happening, James's hand encircled my waist and pulled me out of the way. A large impact of fire magic hit the walls, creating an enormous gap.
"What's happening?" I muttered as James bounced back onto his feet and summoned a magic barrier. I watched as waves of various colored magic spears were hurled at us, but they didn't invade the barrier, and I sighed in relief when the spears stopped at once.
"Are you alright?" James came to me with a concerned gaze, and it surprised me that his steely gaze could also reflect other emotions. As James's icy finger traced my forearm, I realized I had sustained a burning mark.
"Why are you not healing? You're a shifter," he asked.
Though I am a shifter, healing is usually a quicker process for us. But how can I tell James that my dragon has weakened after breaking the mate bond? Healing will take time, just like humans do.
"Fine, don't answer," James said with annoyance as he used his enhancements to heal me.
The cooling effectively made the healing process quicker than I expected. It was like the near healing of a shifter. I stared at James, surprised that James' enchantment was stronger than any witches or warlocks I'd met.
"What?" he asked as I was staring at him.
"Who attacked us?" I asked. James's eyes snapped toward the window from the attacks launched, and his gaze seemed as if he were sensing or studying something.
"Some of my enemies," he muttered, laced with fury, and his dark aura surfaced, sending a shiver down my spine.
"James." His eyes looked at me, and the dark aura around James evaporated. James helped me get up.
"Let me drop you home." James left to change his clothes before I declined his offer. But deep down, I felt a little comfort in James dropping me off, as the sudden attack had triggered some terrible memories of Jeffrey, and terror set in.
Jake draped a jacket over my trembling frame as we entered the elevator. His minty scent enveloped me, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me. How could I be so comfortable around James, even though we didn't accept each other as mates? Should I put up barriers between us? What if James turned out like Jeffery, who was sweet initially but turned violent later in our marriage?
"Where to?" James asked calmly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I gave him the address and tried to compose myself, not wanting to slip into my dark memories.
"If you want to leave tomorrow, it's okay," James said, sensing my unease.
"I like to keep myself busy," I replied, trying to sound strong.
"Alice, you're shivering," James observed, concern etched on his face. I got out of the car without saying a word, feeling overwhelmed.
As I walked towards my building, I turned to see James looking troubled. Without thinking, I hugged him. He stiffened at first, but then his body relaxed, and he returned the embrace. It felt like we were silently fighting our battles together.
"Take care, James," I whispered, watching him walk away. Levy wasn't around when I reached my apartment, but a strange envelope sat outside the door. My heart raced as I recognized Jeffery's scent on the letter.
"You will regret my love and pay with your life for leaving me," the note stated. I collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down my face.
- Writer
