Chapter 69 Caught
828words
Kayn was the shark, and he was out for blood. Derek's blood. I didn't feel a thing from Kayn for a while, but now I was drowning in his anger. It took a great deal of restraint not to step in and hurt Derek myself, to relieve myself from the fury clawing inside my chest like a demon. "Put him down!"
A terror-stricken Derek cried out for help as he hung upside down inside a tree. He attempted to reach for the electric-blue cord tied around his ankle and branch, holding him in place.
Veins began to swell on his forehead as he strained himself, struggling to reach up.
I doubted he would be able to loosen it even if he reached it, as it was one of Kayn's magic tricks he had up his sleeve.
My dread conflicting with Kayn's anger knew he could do worse. Not only that, we were in a public place. Anyone could walk out and see the catastrophe unfolding.
"What if someone sees you?" I cried out. "He's not worth it, Kayn. Just let him be."
"Not until I get my message across, loud and clear." Kayn rolled his shoulders as if he was winding up the damage he planned to inflict.
"I'm pretty certain he's learned his lesson!"
"Guys like him? They don't learn. Not immediately, anyway." Kayn lifted a hand, and without going near Derek, a slapping sound could be heard. Derek's face jerked to the side as if he got slapped, and he cried out in pain. A large red bruise swelled on his cheek. "Aint that right, buddy?"
I pressed my palms to my cheeks in horror. "Could you—"
"Oh. My. Word." I turned to find Ember and Poppy walking toward us. Following short on their trail were Ella and Rake. He had amusement written across his face.
"Where were you guys?" my voice trembled. "I was looking for you."
"Ember doesn't deem me trustworthy enough to accompany Ella alone anywhere, so they followed us around," Rake explained.
"We didn't follow you," Ember scowled, but I knew she was lying. I didn't blame her.
Poppy was pale, her eyes on Derek. "What the actual crap?"
"Man, this evening keeps getting better and better," Rake chuckled, glancing at me. "I have to give props to you. I expected all hell to break loose much sooner."
"Shut up," I scowled, turning to Ember. "You need to stop him. He's not listening to me."
Ember shot an unsettled glance toward Ella and Poppy. "It might already be too late."
"Ember," I cried out as Derek swung back and forth from the branch. His mouth formed in a wide 'O', but no sound came out.
"Hey, asshat," Ember shoved her brother against the arm. "Humans present. Do you have some kind of backup plan once we all get exposed?"
Kayn didn't respond.
"You know, this will get Carly killed too," Ember pressed on. "Carly," she repeated my name as if it should have some kind of magical effect. "Carly could die."
Derek dropped like a sack of bricks from the tree with a loud thump. He whimpered on the ground, rolling to his side, and threw up.
We all groaned in disgust.
Kayn finally turned, looking quite pleased with himself. "Made sure he got the message."
"I'm pretty sure he's scarred for life," I retorted, my shaking fists clenching by my sides.
"Let's hope so," Kayn sounded smug.
"Around humans," Ember sighed. "Great job."
"They're your friends," he supplied.
"I freaking knew it!" Ella squealed. "You are a fairy!"
"What?" My eyes automatically swiveled in Rake's direction, filled with suspicion.
"Don't look at me." He also seemed surprised by Ella's accusation.
"Now that's insulting." Kayn brushed his fingers through his hair. His eyes made contact with mine for a fraction of a second before turning back on Ella.
"Do you have wings?" Ella went on, bouncing like a kid on a sugar rush. "Or, are they, like, invisible?"
Ember dropped her face into her hands and groaned.
"You like fairies?" Rake's one brow arched. He was so enjoying this.
"She's in for a surprise," Kayn muttered. He turned back to me. "Are you okay?"
His concern took me off guard, and I stumbled for words before I managed to speak an intelligible sentence. "Yeah, considering the circumstances, I'm fine."
I turned to Poppy. "I'm more worried about her. Poppy?"
"I need a moment," Poppy's voice cracked. She stared at Derek like she was about to get sick.
Ember reached for her arm, but Poppy jerked away.
"I said I need a moment," Poppy repeated.
"Please, don't tell anyone," Ember pleaded. "It could literally get us—and you, killed. If anyone finds out, please, Poppy."
"Like anyone would believe me," Poppy sounded robotic. Her pale face turned on me, her eyes wide. "I need to go."
"Poppy—"
