I looked behind.
Gena and Akira kissed the mushy forest floor already!
Before I could turn back around, Cyrus came grabbing my waist. I gasped.
Maybe a little moan slipped out, too.
But most importantly, why did he call me that?
The Devil's Daughter
Did he know?
There was no way.
He's merely human!
But his aura is different. Sin free.
I don't know anymore and I don't want to push it.
But I pushed him away.
"This isn't funny. You're exploiting your- your..." I wasn't getting the word. Cyrus tucked his hands in pockets and watched me help my friends up.
"Fans? Yeah, they're my fans." His voice was too nonchalant for my liking.
"You could also give me a hand and help them up. I'm bringing some water." I said and took off, knowing all clean water was like gold resource in the middle of the forest. With an empty canister, I took off towards the lake.
What is up with that guy?
Such stature.
Such arrogance.
Such...magnetism.
I was being drawn to him like a moth, wasn't I?
I came back and did the needful.
Akira woke up with a startle, as expected.
Admited that I threw water on his face a little harsher than necessary. Hehe.
"Hmm..." Gena stirred awake. Her directly hands rubbed her eyes and she looked up at the idiotic man who crouched to her height, right next to her.
Her eyes widened when noticed.
That her international crush was staring right back at her.
I took one look at her swindling body and said, "Oh please don't faint again—"
Yet, she fainted.
Few moments passed. The fire crinkled against the wind and burned all sorts of colors it was absorbing. I was reminded of home. And no, I didn't dare make any small talk. It was pointless. Something in me told me that Cyrus will only ever make ANY conversation...about himself.
"S-Sir...why have you followed us?" Asked Akira.
"I was attracted to your gun. It's one in...what? 20 billion." Cyrus leaned against his blade on his lap that acted as a table for his elbows to rest. I didn't think he'd carry around a sheath for that thing.
He had all valuables attached to his coat, his waistband, and in the pockets of his pants.
Yet, Cyrus looked like he owned nothing.
Talk about compact, huh?
"He's asking the real reason. Third time's the lucky charm." I said, not even looking at him. I was completely preoccupied with my thoughts about Gena's reaction when she jolts awake again.
"Well, I believe in numbers four and six. Odd numbers are well...odd." I rolled my eyes to the back of my head at Cyrus's response.
Gena woke up, yet again. She scanned her surroundings as if looking for a threat. In this case, a threat to her heart.
"Ack—! Oh, um...I'm sorry. I- I didn't mean to. I...I..."
"Yeah yeah yeah. I get it, Ms...Gena. You're a fan. Akira and Roxy are my fans too." He smirked while boasting.
"For the record, I'm not his fan. I don't even know him." My answer seemed to have stunned Gena. While wearing her glasses back, she gave me a look which said,
'How can you not know the hottest guy that roams the planet saving people from Shifter attacks?'
And that was actually her thought.
I was tempted to read her mind.
"Fine. Fourth time is now.
Care to tell us why you're following us?" I asked.
"I'm not following you." Cyrus replied with a scoff.
"Why aren't you leaving then?"
My question faltered his smile. His confidence? Crumbled. Ever so slightly, but it crumbled.
"I...have no idea."
"That's lame. Just get back to your work. We are fine without your help." I said and turned away from the discussion to focus on the fire.
"Why are you pushing me away? Can't handle a team of four?" His annoying words were back to taunt me. I rolled my eyes.
"We are on a guided mission to find a path for promotion. That's our agenda. What's yours?" I argued.
"I want to fight Shifters with you guys." He replied. The reply wasn't satiating me.
"Our mission is official. We have to report back to the Regime Headquarters and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't like it if we report you as our new teammate. We could get into problems!" I mentioned nonchalantly.
But my love sick puppy Gena had other thoughts. Adjusting her nerdy glasses, she said, "T-There is no clause in our contract mentioning another team member to be added. Only clauses on...reducing team number."
"Ugh! Gena! You were supposed to speak for me. Not against me!"
She shrugged.
Simply. Shrugged.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I accused the man who was smiling ear to ear. Cyrus narrowed his eyes, "And you're trying to push me away, aren't you?"
Well. Duh.
And that night, we became a team of four.
I couldn't have expected this to happen.
But it looks as though I need to glimpse into the future a few times a month so I won't get into unexpected situations like this.
Surprises, surprises...
I hated surprises.