Imdalind 01 - Kiss of Fire

really,” Wyn provided. “His mother still lives there. Our dad just got around a lot.”
    “I was born in Prague in the ‘80s.”
    “So, still too old for you,” Wyn taunted.
    My head snapped to Ilyan who winked at me again.
    “Oh! I didn’t mean it like that!” I said, embarrassment creeping into my face.
    “Neither did I, Joclyn,” Ilyan said. “Don’t worry so much.”
    I ducked back down to my Mongolian Beef and tried to focus on the movie, even though I had seen it a million times. It was still one of my favorites.
    “You need to be nice to her, Ilyan; she’s my friend, and if you scare her away, I’ll never forgive you.”
    “Fine, fine,” he said “Nezȁleží na tȍm, onȇ bude žít s tȁk brzy.” The words fell off his tongue like diamonds and pearls; I looked over at him, taken by the beautiful sound. It seemed familiar in my ears, even though I had no idea what language it was.
    “Ilyan,” Wyn pleaded.
    Ilyan stood before walking down the hall to the bathroom.
    “What language was that?”
    “Czech, it’s his home language.”
    “It’s beautiful,” I sighed. “Do you understand it?”
    “Enough to understand when he’s being rude,” Wyn said.
    I smiled and went back to the movie, sad that my food was almost gone. I would have to ask where they got this from; it was delicious. Ilyan returned a moment later, and I excused myself to the bathroom. The sun had gone down all the way now, and the first stars were beginning to twinkle from behind the frosted glass in the bathroom window. I sat down and grabbed the cell phone next to me without thinking. It wasn’t until I opened it, that I realized, it wasn’t mine.
    The phone flicked to a text conversation. The name “Wynifred” covered the top of the screen above the thought bubbles of the conversation.

    I think we are wrong about him
    What do you mean?
    Well he says he wants nothing to do
    with it, but its more than that. He uses
    kouzlo on her all the time to calm
    her, help her, keep her safe. What
    I thought was her is really him, it’s
    the residual that he leaves behind to
    help her.
    Are you sure?
    100%
    Hovno. Ovailia se Nebude libit
    Don’t swear.
    Respect, Wynifred
    Sorry, My Lord.

    I looked at the last bit of conversation; it just didn’t make sense. My Lord? And who were they talking about? The whole thing was too much like something out of a Bourne movie. Besides, they didn’t seem the types to be involved in some sort of role-playing game. I reluctantly looked away from the screen at a soft knock on the door.
    “Joclyn,” Ilyan spoke through the bathroom door, “I left my phone in there. Can you bring it out with you please?”
    “Uh... yeah...” I answered washing my hands before opening the door to see him standing against the door frame. His long blonde hair hung straight and sleek around his face, his blue eyes sparkling. I was once again hit with the familiarity of them, like I had seen that exact color somewhere else.
    “Everything go okay in there?” he asked, hand outstretched.
    “Gross, Ilyan,” I chided and placed the phone in his hand.
    “Thanks.” He flipped the phone open to look at the screen before turning back to me with a smirk.
    A smirk like that would usually excite me and send my stomach swooping, but then again, a smirk like that was usually accompanied by Ryland. Coming from Ilyan, it made me curious; I felt like I needed to get to know him better. I shook the thought from my mind.
    Ilyan crossed his arms over his chest as he continued to stare into me. I couldn’t help but notice how nice his pastel dress shirt fit against him. He had a nice frame and the fabric clung to him in the right places. I could feel a blush rising to my cheeks so I ducked my head to look at my shoes, unsurprised to see Ilyan sporting another pair of ripped designer jeans. He must like the style.
    “Do I need to leave you and your shoes alone?” Ilyan asked with a deep chuckle.
    “No, I’m fine,” I retorted my head snapping up to meet his gaze.
    “Well then, are you ready to go home? It’s almost ten and I don’t want you to get in trouble with your mom.” He continued to lean against the door frame, trapping me in the bathroom.
    “Yeah, I guess I better.”
    “Good, I’ll go get my car.” he said before jogging down the hall.
    “Your brother is odd,” I announced as I sat down beside Wyn.
    “He’s an idiot; don’t let him fool you.” She continued to bird peck at her food,