Chapter 3
Perhaps Elliot felt awkward looming over me. He bent his knees and leaned down until we were eye level.
That was when I noticed his eyes. They were unfair. Warm, expressive, and absurdly sincere. The kind of eyes that could look at anyone and make them feel chosen. Soft but bright, like they were always on the verge of meaning something more.
I'd never really noticed that before.
But the chat was way more observant than I was.
[This guy's a pro at flirting.]
[Check his hands. That little finger twitch? He's nervous.]
[Classic. Calm on the outside. Absolute chaos inside.]
Flirting, really?
That counted as flirting?
I must've lost my mind, but out of nowhere, I felt this urge to compete.
"Elliot." I leaned in, closing the gap between us until we were practically nose to nose.
"There's something different about you today," I teased, keeping my voice low.
There was barely any space left between us. I could see every reaction clearly.
His face went stiff, lips pressed together, and his eyes darted nervously.
He totally panicked, looking completely lost.
You could argue it was surprise. That explanation almost worked.
Except for his ears. They had turned red. Deep red. The kind of red that didn't happen unless someone was very aware of themselves.
People didn't blush like that from fear.
That wasn't fear. He was shy.
[One more inch and he's going to overheat.]
[His thoughts right now: She's close. Why is she close? Do I move? Do I apologize? Am I dying?]
[You guys are so mean! Me? I'm just smiling uncontrollably.]
I sighed internally.
But honestly, I'd gotten used to it.
As long as the audience were having fun.
I pressed on.
"Why aren't you asking me what's different about me today?" I teased, keeping my voice playful.
I had learned that trick from the fans. Thought I'd try it.
If it didn't work, I had backup.
If it didn't work, I had backup.
Now there was barely a hand's width between us.
"What's up, Elliot? Lost in thought?" I teased.
He snapped back to reality a second too late. "N-no, I just… I mean…" he stammered.
He tripped over his own feet and crashed to the floor in a heap.
He landed on the stone floor in a mess of tangled limbs, his outer cloak slipping halfway off his shoulder.
"You were too close," he muttered, head lowered, voice barely audible.
As a Mystic, I heard him perfectly. Naturally, I pretended I hadn't. Teasing him felt surprisingly fun.
It was a whole different vibe compared to messing with Noah, but it was surprisingly just as entertaining.
Maybe everyone really did have their own kind of charm.
"I'm sorry," I said sweetly, crouching in front of him. "What was that? I didn't hear you.
"Want to say it again? I'll listen properly this time."
Our eyes met. He looked like he was about to speak. His lips parted. Then he stopped himself.
Heat spread visibly across his skin. From his neck to his ears, across his cheeks. Even his hands flushed faintly pink.
He looked so good it was almost criminal, with this subtle, irresistible allure that I couldn't quite put into words.
He started messing with his fingers again, looking completely out of his depth, not knowing what to do with himself.
Seeing him like that made my heart clench with guilt, like I'd just bullied someone way too nice, and maybe pushed it too far.
Had I overdone it?
[Oh ho ho, look who it is! Isn't that Elliot Monroe, the top Mystic at the peak of the Soulbound stage? Why's he tumbling around like some regular mortal?]
[He fell with such style, and he's not even trying to hide his little act. The best hunters always pretend to be the prey.]
[Aww, he's down and won't get up unless Rebecca helps him.]
[Even professional charmers would applaud this.]
Wow. Elliot, I saw you in a whole new light today.