Beneath the Depths - Book Four (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Twenty

The next few classes drag, my fogged mind making time slow. Anxiety grips at me around every turn wondering when Vera would be back. It was making it hard to concentrate on anything and everything. Cordelia is much in the same boat, distracted and anxious, making her irritable at almost everything. I had to snap her out of a trance before she blew up her computer in our English class. Vera returning was messing with both of us, but Cordelia seems to be more affected by her return this time, more than usual. Before we part ways to our next classes, I pull Cordelia to the side.

“Is something else going on that you’re not telling me?” Cordelia’s eyes widen and she shakes her head too quickly for my liking. She plasters a fake smile on, and grips my hands in hers, giving them a slight squeeze.

“Really? I’m fine. There’s nothing else.” I look at her doubtfully but drop it, pulling her in for a quick hug before we part ways. She clings to me a bit longer than usual and I watch as she walks off to her next class. I do the same. Some students are already seated in the classroom when I enter, chairs haphazardly placed around the room, instruments scattered around them. I take a seat near the piano and pull out my music notebook. My heart leaps into my throat as a familiar face walks in laughing with a beautiful woman with long black hair, her hand brushing his arm as she leans into him. Jealousy rises up in me, which I quickly push down. There is no place for that emotion when MJ is involved. When our eyes meet my heart lodges itself further into my throat, as his mouth pulls into a blinding smile. The woman’s eyes follow his and a knowing smirk takes place on her face, and she grabs the hand of the guy standing behind MJ and pulls him towards some seats a little ways away from me. MJ beelines straight for me, making my palms sweat and my heart race.

“Long time no see.” He jokes as he sits next to me, too close for comfort, but also not close enough. I return his smile, unable to stop my reaction to him. “Are you feeling better from before? You seemed a bit off this morning.” I look away from him, hiding my expression from him as I nod.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” I school my features before glancing up at him with a plastered-on smile. He looks at me, unconvinced, staring at me as if he could see through to my soul, but seems to let it go. We turn towards the door as the professor walks in and class begins. Throughout the lesson his closeness is a distraction. Every time he shifts, or glances towards me. At one point his knee brushes against mine, if only for a split second, it was nice and was over too fast for my liking. I can barely concentrate on what the teacher is saying until she dismisses us with our weekly reading.

I pack up my books and stand to leave, MJ following suite. We leave the classroom together, the urge to hold his hand as we walk growing with every second. After walking a little while I’m pulled into a small alcove off the side of the music building. My heart speeds up at his closeness as he backs me to the wall.

“Sorry. I just… uh actually, I can’t explain why I pulled you in here. I just had the urge to be alone with you.” My cheeks heat at his words and his body gets closer to mine. His hand reaches up to stroke my cheek, and his thumb brushes my lips. I feel my body shifting toward him, needing to be closer to him. Something within me shivers as I gaze into his eyes, something within me singing to every part of me, making my heart race.

“There you are Sirena.” My racing heart stops hearing her voice, the blood in my veins turning to ice. I push MJ away and turn toward the familiar voice of Vera, my master, her eyes burning with anger. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”