Violet Eden Chapters 04 - Endless

blurted, regretting that I hadn’t made it a priority to tell Lincoln what I’d done earlier. The truth was I’d expected Phoenix to show up either instantly or not at all. When he hadn’t, I’d started to wonder if I’d been wrong about his intentions.
    At this revelation, Lincoln looked at me with disbelief. ‘You brought him here?’
    I bit my lip.
    Using Lincoln’s distraction, Phoenix launched himself onto his nemesis, bringing him down to the ground, ramming a fist into his jaw. I was fairly certain I heard something crack. Lincoln responded in kind – the impact of his own closed fist across Phoenix’s jaw stunning him enough for Lincoln to throw Phoenix off him and into the air.
    Phoenix landed on his feet, feline-like.
    But before Phoenix made it back into the striking zone and Lincoln was up and ready again, I leaped between them.
    ‘Move,’ Lincoln snapped at me.
    I ignored him and faced Phoenix. I knew who the real threat was.
    ‘Lover,’ Phoenix said, dabbing a finger at the cut on his lip, showing how hard Lincoln’s hit had been; drawing blood from an exile was never easy. ‘Be patient. This will only take a moment and then you and I will have all the time in the world for …’ he glanced at Lincoln, ‘other things.’
    ‘Shut up, Phoenix. God, I’m so sick of hearing you call me “lover”. You asked me for help. I know you did. I let down my shields, I showed you the way to us because, as crazy as it is, I think you might actually want to stop Lilith from hurting those kids.’
    Phoenix’s face twisted and I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfaction to see my scolding was having an effect.
    ‘Now,’ I continued, hands on hips, ‘you can come inside and talk with us. You will tell us what we need to know and how we can stop her, or you can go. But you,’ I glanced over my shoulder at Lincoln, fury still raging in his eyes, ‘and your male egos will not be fighting tonight because, let me break it down.’ I looked between them again. ‘If either one of you lands another punch then this conversation is over and those kids are going to die.’
    Silence.
    ‘I’m going to put the kettle on,’ I said, taking their silence for agreement. For now.

    We sat around the kitchen table, coffees in hand, tensions running high. Suddenly the cabin seemed very small.
    Lincoln andPhoenix sat opposite one another, their eyes burning with malice.
    It was strange seeing them together. It caused an awkward sensation in my gut.
    Phoenix looked incredible as per usual. He was dressed in black slim-line pants and a fitted black shirt. His opaline hair rippled with dazzling silver highlights.
    He’s just a creature of lust , I reminded myself.
    I couldn’t deny that being in close proximity to him affected me. It wasn’t in the same way as with Lincoln; it was raw and laden with guilt. Because I knew it wasn’t real. What Phoenix did to me was a controlled manipulation of my own emotions, but I longed for it anyway. I’d just explained to Lincoln earlier that I’d been addicted to Phoenix’s abilities and now, looking at him, I realised it was more than that. I was drawn to him on a deeper level, because of our connection and what we’d once shared.
    ‘You helped us in the subway. You led us to the other child,’ I said. Statement not question. When Phoenix didn’t respond, I went on. ‘You’ve been trying to get to me in my dreams – not to hurt me, but to help us.’
    Phoenix was statue-still.
    Finally, he shifted. ‘You kept pushing me out and once you were behind the Academy shields it was impossible.’
    I remembered the force field that divided us last time.
    ‘Have you always known I could sense your emotions more than others?’ I asked, noting that Lincoln was stewing silently. But I needed to know. What I felt from Phoenix was more than just his emotional run-off and unlike anything I felt from anyone else.
    Phoenix flinched. He knew what I was asking. ‘Ever since I healed you the connection has been there.’
    I explained to Lincoln, ‘I think I can sense some of Phoenix’s emotions even when he doesn’t intend me to.’
    ‘Sensational,’ Lincoln said, flat.
    ‘It’s not like that,’ I said, blushing. ‘But I think that it helps me understand him at times.’
    ‘And she does seem to know every single inch of me,’ Phoenix taunted.
    ‘What are you doing here, Phoenix?’ Lincoln ground out each word.
    Phoenix’s facade broke, just for a few seconds,