Chapter 12 · Playing Villain

"Don't you dare run."

Vivian's staff slammed across my chest and pinned me to the brick before I could even get my gravity field up.

"I'm not running," I gasped. "You're literally holding me here. Physics, Vivian."

"You ran last time." Her eyes were bright, pissed, locked on mine. "You always run."

The alley stank like trash and rain. Her light was everywhere, that stupid golden glow that made her hair look like she walked out of a commercial. And her staff? Right against my collarbone. Pressing hard enough to bruise.

My collar was burning under my suit. Like, actually cooking my skin. Silas's little reminder. Mission active. Do not disappoint.

"Let me go and I won't have to," I said.

"No." She leaned in. Closer. "You don't get to do that anymore. Hit and vanish. You don't get to play games with me."

"Who's playing?" I tried to grin. It came out shaky. "You're the one with the stick."

She pushed harder. I felt the heat of her through the suit. Her breath hit my cheek. God, she smelled like ozone and something sweet. Like sugar. It was distracting and unfair.

"Take off the mask," she said.

"No."

"Tess."