Page 29 of The Never List
“In all fairness,” I say, “the invitation rather explicitly required my consent if chosen.”
“Ah, but it didn’t specify a time, did it?” Axl grins at me.
“No, I suppose it didn’t.”
“And consent can be withdrawn at any time,” Axl says.
“That wasn’t in the contract,” I say before I can stop myself.
“It’s one of our terms,” Axl says, motioning toward the other Legends. “You set the pace. And you choose who you want to start your first month with.”
Hope spreads through me for the first time since Jax called out my number. Their stance on my role here, intentionally granting me that power, is a welcomed surprise. It separates the Legends from the kings’ earlier actions more than anything else they’ve done so far.
“Do you have a preference?” Kal asks. “Because we can choose for you if you feel overwhelmed.”
I smile at him, shaking my head. “I appreciate the option.”
I scan their faces. Each of them makes my heart thump, but it damn near stops when I look at Jax. He seems the least invested out of the four—Pierce is a close second—but I can’t help but remember the man who flirted and danced with me at the party. Can’t help that burning connection practically begging me to say his name, to choose him first, as he’d chosen me.
But he’s the Nightmare. His father is an evil piece of shit. And because I want him the most, he’s the most dangerous of them all. With him, all my defenses come down, and I lose sight of everything but him.
No, I need someone I can easily win over. Because Imustwin them over to survive this.
I glance at Pierce again, and my skin heats at just the thought of being with someone as intense and intelligentand ruggedly handsome as he is. He can enter the minds of others at will, but he must not have attempted to enter mine, or he would’ve arrested me already. He’s also kept himself at a calculated but polite distance, so he may be hard to reach.
I study Axl next. He seems to be pure fun and adventure, with a side of danger. He’s been nothing but welcoming and friendly, but I have the sense that a timid partner would quickly be swept under and drown in his wake, and I’m not ready to make that cliff dive just yet. Then finally, I look at Kal, who has been the kindest and most attentive of them all throughout the night. Plus, he fed me, and that small act of service means more to me than he’ll likely ever understand.
Who can I make fall first? The Nightmare, the Mind, the Player, or the Dreamer?
“Kal,” I say. Hopefully, he’ll have the fewest obstacles blocking my way to gaining his trust. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to spend the first month with you.”
Kal’s smile is genuine as he nods, rising from his chair and offering me his hand. “It would be my honor,” he says.
I take his hand, unable to stop myself from looking at Jax one last time. I swear I see a hint of disappointment in his eyes, but I blink, and it’s gone. In a blur of movement, he sheathes his blade, shoves away from the table, and stalks toward the elevator.
Pierce follows him with a cool “good night.”
Axl stops before us, and he’s so damn tall, I have to arch my neck to meet his eyes. “You know, just because Kal looks like a teddy bear doesn’t mean he won’t bite.” He laughs when Kal rolls his eyes, then drags a knuckle along the edge of my jaw, making my breath hitch. “See you soon.”He disappears into the elevator with Jax and Pierce, leaving Kal and me alone in the room.
Kal squeezes my hand and tugs me into the elevator once it’s returned. “I’ll show you to your room,” he says after we descend a couple of floors, stepping into a long corridor.
Even the hall is stunningly decorated, with lush carpets of ruby and gold, walls adorned with gilded art, and little wooden tables holding priceless vases full of fresh flowers. Ivy and Layce would love it; Erin would’ve already marked everything she’d lift from it.
I smile sadly as we walk, my heart aching for the sister I can’t find and the friends I was forced to leave behind.
“This is you,” Kal finally says as we come to a set of double doors on the left. He opens them, guiding me inside. He doesn’t bother shutting the doors behind him, but he lets go of my hand, allowing me to venture around the room on my own.
It’s bigger than any bedroom I’ve ever slept in. A bed fit for a king is tucked in the corner, with a four-poster frame draped with luscious red curtains. There’s a sitting area on the opposite side, complete with a lush couch and chaise longue with gold details. There’s also a wet bar and a giant wardrobe next to a set of glass doors that leads to a balcony overlooking the city below.
I turn around, looking up at Kal, who has been watching me the entire time.
“Does it suit you?” he asks.
“More than,” I say. “Thank you.”
Kal hesitates, and my heart races as the air between us tightens.
They said it’s my choice.
