Chapter 122 122- Never Play Spin The Bottle With People Who Can Breathe Fire
LEXI
The thought that I might not be able to trust Ellorie makes my stomach twist. It sits there, heavy and uncomfortable, and no matter how much I try to push it away, it won’t go. Because Blake put that thought there… And now that it exists, I can’t just pretend it doesn’t. I hate that. I hate that something good, something normal, is now tangled up in suspicion.
“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my tone steady.
“I don’t want you to take this personally… but someone in my life is almost definitely working with the hunters who keep trying to attack me. And I can tell if people are lying to me or not. So… do you mind if I ask you a bunch of super blunt questions so that I can officially, completely, and totally rule you out as even a possible suspect?” I ask. There’s a pause. I wince slightly, realising how that sounds out loud. I PROBABLY could have tried to ease into it. Made it softer. More subtle. But that’s not really me. And honestly… if she isn’t involved, then this shouldn’t be a big deal. Maybe a little confronting. Maybe even a bit insulting. But we haven’t known each other that long. And my situation? Kind of justifies a little paranoia.
“Uh… sure?” she says slowly.
“I guess? What kinds of questions?” She asks. Right. Good question. I… did not plan that part.
“Okay… um…” I stall for a second, scrambling.
“Are you, or have you ever been, involved with anyone who wants to hurt, kidnap, or hunt me?” I ask.
“No,” she answers immediately. And I feel it. Clear, certain and true. Relief washes through me so fast my shoulders actually drop.
“Have you ever betrayed me?” I ask next.
“No. Never.” She reponds. Again, true. With no hesitation. I exhale, the tension draining out of me in one long breath.
“Thank goodness,” I say, my voice softer now.
“I am so glad.” I add. I can trust her. That settles something deep in my chest.
“Wait, is that it?” She says suddenly, I blink.
“Yes?” I answer.
“You need better questions,” she says bluntly.
“Or more of them. There are so many loopholes there.” She points out. I pause.
“Huh?” I ask.
“What about asking if I ever plan to betray you?” she continues
*Or if I would hurt Blake, Or if I actually genuinely consider you a friend. Or if there’s anyung threatening me to get inkemation about you Or if there’s anyone I trust that I’ve been talking to about you that I haven’t mentioned. She clarifies. I just stare at my phone. My jaw actually drops a little. Wow she is WAY better at this than me. And now that she’s sald 11, I can see exactly what she meant. My questions were very basic Very surface laval Blake woshl have done better. That thought flickers through my mind before I can stop it
1/3
Chapter 122 122 Never Play Spin The Bottle With People Who Can Breathe Fire
“Okay… uh…” I say awkwardly, trying to catch up.
“I’m asking you all those questions then?” I tell her. Ellorie laughs softly.
“No, I’ll just answer them,” she says.
No, I don’t plan to ever betray you. I am still scared shitless of Blake, so I’m not screwing him over. Yes, I consider you a friend, basically the only one I have, actually. Unless you count Blake, and I’m not sure that really counts. I can’t figure out what he thinks of me.” She adds. I huff a quiet laugh at that.
Fair.
“No one has threatened me for information about you,” she continues.
“Layla asked if I’d heard from you earlier today and I told her no. And… I haven’t really spoken to anyone else about you. I told my parents you saved me and that we’re friends, but nothing else specific.” She finishes. I listen carefully. And every single word rings true. There’s no hesitation. No distortion Se
gaps.
“Well… okay then,” I say slowly.
“I feel like I should be writing these down. Or maybe I need to find a way to merge them into a more concise combination of questions.” I say thoughtfully
“You could start introducing yourself with ‘Hi, I’m Lexi, are you planning to ruin my life?” she suggests. I snort. Then laugh. Properly laugh. And it feels so good. Like something in my chest loosens for the first time all day. Talking to Ellorie… This is what I needed. Something normal. Something uncomplicated, Something that isn’t constantly teetering on the edge of danger or betrayal or… whatever the hell is going on with Blake. The thought of him creeps hack in anyway. Of course it does. Because even now, I still care. That hasn’t changed. I’m just… not okay with what he did. And I don’t know how to fix that vet. Or if it can be fixed. Maybe… Maybe talking it through would help. I’ve never really had a friend to do this with before. Not like this. Not someone I can test sol with and untangle things out loud.
“Are you busy right now?” I ask.
“No, I’m just in my room. Why?” Elloric answers.
“Can I come hang out with you for a bit?” I say.
“Blake and I had a sort of… issue. And I could use some perspective.” I tell her. There’s a pause.
“That depends, if I give you advice he doesn’t like, is he going to rip my head off?” she says cautiously. I hesitate
“Pretustaly and 7” i ufler.
“But I don’t here to sell him what you say) add quickly. There’s another pass
“Well in that case, yes? ble agrees Belief flickers though spat she pret me ples, et few bila was changing into prjames he thus pit’s mught before hanging the phones the salle is stuctly what I need
I change into pyjamas berause appetently that Har xike this) bombelem & short probably l
Lext tim
in the NANA
alt sprite, sega a
banging out It’s only a few halls wer
Chapter 122 122- Never Play Spin The Bottle With People Who Can Breathe Fire
He answers immediately.
Blake: Okay. I am going to go look for Matthews. I want to check the potions lab while I’m at it. Stay with Ellorie.
Blake: Be safe.
Lexi: I will. Thanks.
I smile at the messages. Despite everything, he’s still trying to look after me. Even now. Even when I’ve pulled away. Even when I’m not giving him what he wants. Even when I told him we’re not together. That… matters. It softens something in me that I don’t want to soften too quickly. Because I can’t forget what happened. But I also can’t ignore this. Blake isn’t cruel. He isn’t careless. He doesn’t hurt people for fun or without reason. He just… Has his own way of looking at things. And maybe he gets it wrong sometimes. Maybe hr gets too focused. Too certain. Too convinced that what he’s doing is right, he stops seeing the impact it has on others. And I can see it more clearly now that I’m not in that room. Not feeling trapped or cornered. It’s easier to recognise everything he does for me when I’m not fighting him at the same time. I exhale slowly, rubbing my thumb over the edge of my phone. I do need to figure things out with him. Avoiding it isn’t going to solve anything. And neither is pretending everything is fine. Something has to change. Not just him, us Boundaries. Clear ones. Ones that actually work for both of us. I just… don’t know what they are yet. But I will. I have to. Because I’m not willing to lose myself just to stay with him. And I’m not willing to lose him without at least trying to fix this either. My gaze flicks back to my messages. He believes me. About Ellorie. He didn’t before. He questioned it. Pushed it. But now… Now that I’ve actually checked, actually confirmed it in a way that makes sense to him… He accepted it. That tracks. Blake doesn’t trust easily. But when he does, it’s because he’s sure. And I can work with that. I tuck that thought away for later. For when I’m ready to actually sit down with him and talk this through properly. But not yet. Right now, I need clarity. And I need perspective. And for that, I need Ellorie. I push myself off the bed and glance toward the door.
“Hey… is it safe for me to go to Ellorie’s room right now?” I ask the Academy.
“There’s not, like, someone waiting in the halls for me or anything?” I add. I pause, considering my wording.
“I mean, if there is, please don’t let me walk straight into that.” I clarify. For a second, nothing happens. Then the lock on my door clicks. I tilt my head slightly, watching it. Okay. That’s… reassuring. I think…
“Thanks. I would like to get to Ellorie’s room without running into anyone, if that’s at all possible.” I explain. The door swings open. Slow and deliberate Like an invitation or a path being cleared.
“Well, alright then? I murmur stepping towards it. I take a breath, then step out into the hallway.
Comments
Rossella Marika D’Alterio
Miss Author there’s a typo page 11, line 7 Amazing work. I really enjoy your writing
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
