Mercury Rises by Scarlett Kol

Author:Scarlett Kol
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dystopian, YA Futuristic Romance, Danger, Kick Butt Heroine, First Love
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Published: 2017-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ALL THAT SPARRING AND scrubbing had left me starving. I could’ve crept down to the kitchen, but figured I’d try the casual dining room so to avoid drawing too much attention to myself. Hopefully there should be cereal or something still in there from breakfast.

I’m sure I looked like hell after what I’d been through. I probably should’ve showered first, a damp layer of sweat gluing my clothes to my skin, but my stomach rumbled with a hunger so fierce my knees would’ve buckled and I’d have cracked my head open on the tile floor. Besides, I didn’t have time for a run to the emergency room right now. I needed to get fed and get back to the Sanctuary before five o’clock or everyone would leave without me.

I stepped around the corner and stopped so fast I almost fell the rest of the way into the room. Mom and Christophe sat at the table talking in hushed voices, quiet enough that I hadn’t heard them from the hallway. Dammit. They both looked toward the door and I ducked back into the hall, hoping they didn’t notice me.

Heavy footsteps echoed on the other side of the wall. I turned to run.

“Mercury,” Christophe called from behind me.

I froze midstride and exhaled. Busted.

“I didn’t mean to disturb your conversation. I’ll just come back later.”

“Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything important anyway.” He closed the gap between us, forcing me to face him. “What happened to you?”

My stomach clenched as I tried to look myself over without being too obvious. Did I still have gravel in my hair? “What do you mean?”

“The huge bruise on your face. Are you okay?”

I reached up and rubbed my cheek, the dull pain so minimal compared to getting my ass kicked by Red all day, I’d actually forgotten. I glanced around looking for inspiration, but the wallpaper and his charcoal suit jacket weren’t providing any. “Punching bag. I was in the gym and it swung back and nailed me in the face.”

He looked me over, his eyes serious, likely seeing through the weakest excuse I’d ever used. Then he laughed.

“You got hit by a punching bag. Since when are you into boxing?”

“It works for you, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Never know when it might come in handy one day.” I put up my fists, giving him an awkward smile and a punch in the shoulder.

He laughed again and shook his head, amused. “All right, whatever you say. But next time call me first and I’ll spot you.” He reached up and ran his knuckles the length of the bruise, his skin hovering just above mine so I could feel his fingers without him actually touching me. “I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“Thanks. But I’ll be all right.” How many times would I need to say that today? “But I’m sure you’ve got important business to attend to.”

“I do, actually, and you should probably get in there since your mom saw you lurking in the doorway.

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