The Fire Within Her

This was certainly awkward. “I’m Carter.” He held out his hand. I smiled lightly, watching his bright blonde hair swoop over his forehead. I reached to shake his hand, and before I could fully shake it, the plate he was holding shook aggressively in his hands, dropping ounces of food. “Shit, I’m so sorry.” He apologized, rushing over to clean the mess. I bent to the ground, my hands reaching for the food that was now scattered across the ground. When I finished helping him, I excused myself, crawling out of the crowd and over to my table. As I set my plate down, I watched Junior pull open his chair and take his seat. I narrowed my eyes at him, carefully eyeing the clear mug of black coffee inside. “You’ve got good reflexes,” I broke the silence, my hands reaching over to the table cloth in front of me. “For someone who can knock down food from quite a distance.” Junior sipped carefully before gently placing down his mug, his pale blue eyes focused on me. “Oh? Why thank you,” He said, his tone almost too flattering. “I’m only looking after my…” He paused, a grin tugging at his lips. “Teammate.” “Jealousy is more like it.” I rolled my eyes, proceeding to pick up my fork. “Oh,” He sipped once again. “Now, why would you assume that?” His tone was almost too deep for me to believe it could exist. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Seems like it’s something to expect out of the son of a deadly ninja.” “Jealousy is not my type, sweetheart.” He placed the mug down, his eyes narrowed in my direction. “There isn’t anything that could possibly make me jealous, regardless of the subject.” He chuckled. “Because if I want something,” His fingers were now drumming slowly against the table, each waiting for the other to finish. “I'll take it.” “Sounds to me like you have no patience.” I frowned, focusing my attention on my steaming sausages. “Would you like to defy that theory?” But it wasn’t a genuine question. He’s looking at me like he could burn through my own powers. “Not everything is easy to be claimed, Junior.” I frowned in his direction. “Just cause daddy has a good reputation—” “I’d watch it with that sentence.” His voice ripped through my statement. I couldn’t help but feel satisfaction that this was how he got intimidated. “Sorry,” I smiled lightly, though it was nothing near an apology. “I must’ve pulled a nerve.” “I’d advise you not to pull another.” He nodded slowly. “I don’t take advice from people.” I leaned back in my chair. “Certainly not from a murderer.” He snorted out a laugh. “I like your confidence.” “I like your cockiness.” I retorted. “Shame your blood runs cold similar to its owner.” His jaw twitched. “It’s quite a shame the legendary fire ninja couldn’t live up to her parents’ expecta—” I jumped out of my seat, lunging myself at him and before I knew it, his chair fell back, taking me down with him. I fell right on top of him, my knife hidden between the bare silk of my shirt and my palm. The hilt of the blade was grasped tightly by my fists, the tip of the knife resting on his collarbone. Only I had a blade pressed to my collarbone. One wrong move, and I was surely bound to rip open a new wound. The crowd gathered around us as I stared at Walker Junior, a ruthless murderer lying down on the ground, with me toppling right over him. My eyes were wide open before they slightly narrowed. I slowly shook my head, the echoing sounds of his words ringing in my head. “Don’t.” I gritted my teeth. “Don’t try to do that.” He let out a little snort. “I warned you, love. You should’ve taken my advice.” I gritted my hands around the blade, tempted to shove it down his— “Now what funny business is going on here.” A cold and icy voice instantly met my ears. “Shit.” I muttered to myself, my gaze still set on Junior. I cocked my head to the side, spotting Malcolm watching us with full satisfaction. “Now, now, Master of Fire,” He clasped both his hands together, walking closer to the utterly humiliating scene. “I wouldn’t get ahead of myself, if I were you.” The crowd laughed. “There’s always the bedroom.” He snorted. The crowd laughed harder. My gaze narrowed at Malcolm just before I finally got off of Junior’s stomach. “Now as grown adults,” Malcolm chuckled darkly, his head cocked in my direction. “Or maybe we still fully aren’t.”