Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(44)

It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

The sound of a car coming startled the doe. Autumn’s heart jumped as the animal leapt into the forest. She stared after it, grinning at the incredible meeting with the forest creature. Touching the wild creature was unlike any rush she’d experienced. She moved off the road as another car left the school for the rest of the world.

Cheered by the interaction, Autumn began her trip back to the school. Her attention went to her surroundings. She hoped to meet another deer. The first time she tripped, her leg wrenched to the side, and pain tore through her. She froze, waiting for the pain to subside before straightening. A brief stretch released much of the pain.

She watched her step more carefully. Halfway down the driveway, she stumbled hard and dropped to her knees. Pain radiated through her. She sat on the gravel, tears springing from her eyes. Counting to ten, she steadied her breathing.

“You got this.”

Autumn looked up at the voice, unaware anyone was there.

Decker crouched half a dozen feet from her, dressed in black. His dark eyes were on her knee, his shadows restrained by both daylight and effort. The sight of him – and the memory of his kiss – took her breath away. He met her gaze. Warmth rose to her face. Embarrassed, she wiped her tears and looked away.

“I’d offer to help you up, but we both know what happens when I touch you.” The amusement in his voice made her face hot.

“I don’t need help,” she retorted.

“I guess it’s a form of motivation. If you don’t make it to your feet, I will touch you. I’ve never thought of that as a threat, before you.”

“I can do it!”

He laughed, the first spontaneous emotion she’d heard from him. For a moment, she couldn’t look away. His mesmerizing eyes, muscular shape … the thought of his touch. The fire in her blood replaced much of the pain she felt.

Autumn got to her feet gingerly and shook out her leg with a grimace.

“What’re you doing here?” she asked.

“In the neighborhood.”

She eyed him. He drew abreast of her though he kept his distance, as if not wanting to expose her to his shadows this time. She wondered if he had a hot date with another girl, too, like his brother did. The Turner twins were nothing but trouble.

Her first step was painful. For the next few, she focused on where she walked instead of him. Her knee loosened again.

“You’re pretty tough,” he said, eyes on her bad leg.

“I think that was a compliment,” she said, glancing at him.

“It was.” His voice was quiet.

“Thank you,” she murmured. Her gaze remained on him for a long moment. She wasn’t sure what to think about him being the Master of Dark. What he was – and how he made her feel – didn’t make sense to her. He walked as quiet as the shadows tracing his movements, his hands clasped behind his back.

He was trying not to touch her. She’d dismissed the idea he was actually affected by her after what she’d learned earlier about the Master of Dark. Was it possible he was as interested in her as she was in him?

“What?” he asked without looking at her.

“I can’t figure you out.”

“You probably shouldn’t try.”

“Why not?”

He shrugged. A dark look crossed his features. It made her uncomfortable. He was expecting something bad to happen. To her or to him?

“Are you coming here for Thanksgiving?” she asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” he replied. “My parents host it. We’ll see.”

“I wonder if Sam is allowed to come,” she murmured, thoughts on the yeti in the forest.

“What?” Decker stopped walking and stared at her.

“I thought he might be lonely,” she said, uncertain why Decker had tensed.

“You’ve met Sam.”

“Yes.”

“Seven foot tall forest monster?”

She nodded. “He helped me with my magick.”

Decker began walking again. She did as well. “He usually doesn’t talk to the students.”

“I can understand why. Maybe I’ll take him some turkey.”

“As long as it’s not after dark,” he warned.

“I remember,” she mumbled, flushing. “I won’t go in the forest.”

“It’s for your sake.”

Autumn sneaked a look at him. His eyes were on her.

“I’d welcome you with open arms,” he said. A trace of his hot-cold magick teased her as he held her gaze, starting a fire in her blood.

Recalling what Sonya told her, Autumn glared at him. “Me and every other girl in the Northwest. No thank you, Decker.”

“Open invitation.”

“If you ever decide to personalize that invitation to one girl, maybe.” She rolled her eyes then realized what she’d said. Where had that come from? “Not that it’d be me. Just …” she trailed off and stared at the forest, humiliated that she’d admitted she was interested in him. She had every reason in the world not to be and yet she was.

“I know,” he said softly. “That scares me.”

She understood why without asking. He’d loved once and lost her. He was afraid to take another chance. Compassion for what he’d endured took the edge off her emotions. She returned her gaze to his. Her talk of second chances must’ve hit him hard.