Villainess on Ice

Chapter 20

The driver pulled up to Fordnast University gate and I stepped out first. I paid him the entire fare — over a thousand — dropping a tip of a few hundreds. I didn’t stay to watch his mortified expression.

I needed to find Kai as soon as possible.

I didn’t trust those people. My heart was in my stomach. What if they were still lurking around? What if they were still trying to get him alone? I couldn’t let that happen.

I looked around frantically, trying to see if he was here yet. We had agreed that he would meet me here.

What’s going on?

“Elara.”

I snapped my head to where my name was called. I didn’t know when I started running but I did.

I tackled him into a bone-crushing hug that almost knocked him over.

“Elara, you—” he started to say but stopped, most likely noticing my tears.

I didn’t know what came over me but I just started sobbing. Maybe it was the thought of Kai almost getting hurt, or the fact that I was still emotional from dying myself. I saw myself in Kai’s situation. The same way I didn’t want anything bad happening to my siblings was how I didn’t want anything bad happening to him either.

I didn’t know when I started caring for him, but I just knew I didn’t want him getting hurt by anyone.

“Are you okay?” He asked, noticing my crying had stopped.

“Yes, I am fine.” I pulled away from his embrace reluctantly. It seemed he didn’t want to either — his hand still rested on my waist.

“Let’s go to my dorm, yeah?” He asked, tilting my head to face him. His hand caressed my cheeks as he wiped my tears away. I solemnly nodded my head in agreement.

He led me towards his car which was parked by the side, put me in the passenger seat before getting in himself.

I felt tired after everything that had happened and wanted nothing more than to sleep the night away.

The drive was quiet — just the hum from the car and the gravel outside. We made it to his dorm in no time. I didn’t wait for him to help me out. I stepped out and headed inside with him.

He led the way. It was mostly quiet except for a few people that loitered around. They threw us curious stares as we passed by. I couldn’t help but recall those same words from Paisley.

“The first girl he voluntarily touched without being annoyed.” I recalled, staring at the back of his head.

If I wasn’t so emotionally exhausted I would have laughed at how absurd this was. A few weeks ago I couldn’t stand him, but now… Not only did I sleep with him, but I literally rode three hours into the night just to see him.

I was the same girl who swore off men. Now I am crazy about one.

He opened the door and led me into his room. It was neat and tidy. A few sport memorabilia hung on the walls — from jerseys to trophies and medals.

“Turn around,” he commanded.

“What?” I squeaked out. I saw the ghost of a smirk on his face at my reaction.

“We have slept together before, Elara.” He raised an eyebrow at me as my cheeks heated up at his words. “That dress is uncomfortable, but if you are okay sleeping in it that’s fine by me.” He shrugged. I just turned around at his words, giving him my back.

His hand felt hot on my skin as he skillfully unzipped my dress, his fingers briefly caressing the open skin.

“Here.” He tossed me a shirt. “You can go change in the bathroom.” I squeaked out a thank you, lifting the hem of my dress as I rushed inside.

I shimmed out of the dress and put on the shirt he gave me. It covered enough and it was okay to use for tonight.

I stepped out to see Kai arranging the bed.

“Hey, I am done,” I spoke, alerting him of my presence.

“Hey. I was just arranging the bed for tonight.” He patted the spot closest to him, signaling me to sit.

“Thank you. I am sorry that I have to burden you like this.” I played with the hem of the shirt he lent me.

“Not at all. It’s the least I can do. You saved my life after all.” I winced at those words. I already suspected what he would say next. “You mentioned something about visions on the drive here. What’s it about?” He asked. The question itself was dreading.

“It’s a long story.”

“If you’re up to it, I would listen to you,” he offered.

I took in a shaky breath and just verbally vomited everything I had been holding on to. From dying, to waking up in the past, to all the visions and even the ones now.

I saw his face switch through different emotions before settling on disbelief.

“Are you serious right now?” He asked, incredulous.

“Yeah. That’s what happened. I didn’t understand it myself. I just woke up at that game with all those things.” I weaved my hands together. “I understand if you don’t believe me. I wouldn’t either. It’s too much to think about.”

He took my hand into his. I lifted my eyes from the sheets to his face.

“I believe you. I believe that you have some weird future-telling power,” he said, caressing my arm. “If anything, this power of yours helped me not get kidnapped.” I yawned at his words. My body felt heavy after telling him.

“Come on, let’s go to bed. It’s getting late and you need to rest.” He lay down on one side while I took the other, facing him.

“Don’t you want to know who is responsible for the attempted k********g?” I stared at him. His eyes were closed.

“Tomorrow. I don’t want to work myself over it. We will talk more tomorrow.” I let out another yawn as my eyes became heavy, slowly closing.

Everywhere became dark again before the light crept back in.

I looked around and it looked like I was viewing through a person’s body.

Dante walked in carrying a file and placing it on my desk.

“Miss Elara, we are about to submit the files for prosecution of all parties involved. But if this goes to trial they would face a minimum of 15 years each.”

“Who are the parties involved?” I heard myself ask.

“Rozetta Pierrepont, Damon Blanton, Zane…,” he listed off a few names — people I was familiar with and some not familiar at all. “…and finally Katherine Draven,” he continued.

I looked down at the files, flipping until I was at Katherine Draven.

I stared at her in horror. I thought the name would be just a coincidence.

My consciousness was pulled like before. I jumped out of bed, yelling as I did so.

“What’s wrong?” Kai asked, still groggy from sleep.

I looked at the bedside clock. It read 2:35 a.m. I had only been asleep for less than 30 minutes.

“Nothing. Just had a nightmare.” I lay back down.

Kai wrapped an arm around my waist, bringing me to his side. I sucked in a breath at that.

How was I going to do it?

If this vision was right, then a time would come.

A time would come when I would have to lock Kai’s mother up.

What should I choose — revenge or my budding relationship with Kai?