Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(41)

“If I knew, I would tell you, Joclyn.” I could tell he was trying to make his voice soft, but he was irritated. Whether that was because he had just woken up or because of what was happening, I wasn’t sure. But I was irritated too.

“When are things going to get better, Ilyan?” I asked as I slammed my back against the wall. “Ryland can track me faster than either of us thought possible. He is pushing me out of the T?uha but if I don’t go, I’ll die.”

I groaned and sunk sideways into the bed, dragging the blanket along with me.

“You still sound like surly a teenager,” Ilyan said, his usual morning grumble sneaking into his voice and mixing with regret.

“I am a surly teenager,” I spat. Had he forgotten so soon?

Ilyan intertwined his fingers through mine, his magic swelling through me from the ?tít as he relaxed my body. I peeked out at him from underneath the blanket; his magic surging as he removed the cast from around my wrist, his finger gently running over the skin of the now healed hand.

“Come on, Joclyn,” he said as he gently pulled me to a sitting position.

“Come where?”

Ilyan smiled and pulled me up, the door leading into the attic and into the house creaked as his magic opened it.

“Ilyan?” I was worried. I didn’t feel comfortable going into someone else’s house, although it did feel an awful lot like the crazy adventures I used to go on with Ryland. My heart thumped, more out of excitement than nerves.

Ilyan didn’t respond. He simply smiled at me and dragged me out of the little room, weaving us through cluttered walkways lined with boxes before stopping in front of the hatch and fold out ladder that led below.

“Ilyan,” I tried again, “what are we doing?”

“You’re hungry, aren’t you?” he asked as he rolled his eyes. “Well, they have food and bathrooms down there and I don’t feel comfortable leaving the house yet, so…” He turned toward the hatch as it opened to the dark house below.

“What if they see us?” I asked, but Ilyan only smirked and pulled me down the ladder.

Ilyan hit the bottom of the ladder and turned, grabbing me around the waist and helping me down.

“Don’t worry, Joclyn, everyone is asleep. And even if they were awake, I’d make sure they couldn’t see you.” Ilyan smiled as his magic flared in my shoulder to send warm ripples through my body.

Ilyan took off down the hall, his feet silent as he moved. I moved after him, but I felt like every step I took caused louder and louder squeaks around the quiet space. Finally I gave up trying to be quiet and took off down the hall to catch up with Ilyan.

He led us to the kitchen, stopping at a large, ornate bathroom on the way. It wasn’t as nice as Ilyan’s bathroom at The Motel, but it was five star after the tiny bathroom at the apartment.

“I want to take a shower later,” I said as we entered the dark granite kitchen.

“Later,” Ilyan whispered back, before placing his finger to his lips in a reminder to be quiet.

I rolled my eyes at him before turning to rummage through the cabinets. I could tell after looking through the first cabinet that we had walked into Ilyan’s own personal hell. I carefully picked up a box of ‘Chicken and Dumpling’ dinner, displaying it for him like Vanna White. Ilyan stuck out his tongue in disgust before he moved to the cabinet next to me. I leaned around to peek over his shoulder before having to press my hand against my mouth to stop laughing. The cabinet was absolutely stuffed with mac and cheese, ramen noodles, and Vienna sausages.

Ilyan made another disgusted sound and moved away, the look on his face what I would have expected if he had unwillingly walked into a butcher’s shop. I grabbed a box of mac and a small can of Vienna sausages and shoved them in his face.

“They go good together,” I said, unable to keep the smile off my face.

“If you’re human,” he countered. I rolled my eyes at his not-so-subtle reminder of his differing species.

“You’re half human. You could at least try.” I shoved the box into his hands, and he held onto them like they were poison.

“No, I’m half Chosen.” He tried to place them back in my hands, but I side stepped him, failing to restrain a laugh.

“I am all Chosen and I love them. Besides, the mac and cheese has milk in it.” Ilyan’s scowl deepened further, making my laugh grow more.

He attempted to get me to take the box back, but I side stepped him again only to run into the counter. I spun around and grabbed a container of flour off the counter, ripping the top off in a threatening manner. Ilyan rolled his eyes at me.

“Come one step closer and I’ll get you,” I said, as menacingly as I could.

Ilyan placed the mac and cheese on the counter before over-dramatically stepping toward me. I froze, the look in his eyes stopping all thought. I let one nervous chuckle escape me as he continued to come closer.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice laced with honey, “you will do what, now?”

I opened my mouth to retort, my rebuttal paused when the light to the kitchen flashed on.

“What’s going on in here?” The old man’s voice was loud and stern, shaking just enough to show that he was scared.

His yell combined with the sudden appearance of the light startled me. My magic surged through my hands and into the flour, causing the whole thing to explode in my face. The old man took one look in my direction, froze, and turned down the hall screaming and swearing as he went.