With a loud thud, Lynx landed next to Orea, the impact rough but brief as the floor was closer than it appeared.
Glancing at her as they navigated the dimly lit space, he asked,..
"So, what did you think I was doing earlier?, his tone was laced with amusement,
Orea shot him a confused look
"When you stood in my way as I got closer to the spot you requested, Lynx continued..
You asked what I was trying to do",..What were you thinking?, he smirked, eyes locked on hers.
Orea's eyes went blank.. Really?, her voice laced with sarcasm
That's your question?,.. Not 'why did you ask to make a hole in the floor?'..Or 'how did you know there was something underground?'
Lynx chuckled,..Nah, I'd rather know what goes on in your head, he teased, his voice low and playful
Orea stared at him, her expression unreadable, before turning away
'There isn't enough light to see in here', she said as she began to search for a source of illumination.
Lynx stood watching her in silence, a hint of smile playing on his lips as he admired her sly way of changing the subject.
Valtor and Zara came to a stop on arriving the tower, they glanced awestruck at the high square-cornered building which seemed to go a thousand feet into the sky, made entirely out of reflective glass
What if it's a hologram, Zara suddenly glanced at Valtor
Deciding to confirm, Valtor placed a hand on the glass doors, he smiled as his palms rubbed against it's smooth texture.
It's real, he announced as he began to force the doors open while the doors creaked refusing to yield.
Let me, Zara said as she moved forward, her pupils turning purple in an instant.
Valtor moved aside as she produced a force field with which she burst the doors open with a deafening crash.
................
Kymani jolted as he perceived a blow out coming from miles away,
Did you hear that, he glanced at Rowynn
No, she replied, but I think we're wasting our time here, she glanced around them.
We've searched through almost every house and they're either empty or holographic, she complained.
You're right, Kymani agreed, let's move further and see if we can find something else.
Orea scowled on getting bumped into for the third time, but this time, she wouldn't let it go
What's your problem!, she snapped as she faced Lynx in annoyance,..Must you bump into me?
Lynx stiffened, narrowing his eyes slightly as he met Orea's glare,..
'Sorry but in case you haven't noticed, it's pretty dark in here and I can barely see', he retorted sarcastically
We probably would've found a light source by now if you helped from the start instead of sitting around, she continued,..and honestly it'd be better if you did, than walk around recklessly, she huffed.
Lynx's face darkened as he grew tired of her nagging..'Is that really all you're good at, complaining!?', he snapped
Oh I'm better at other things trust me, she retorted as she approached him
Noticing their close proximity, a grin crept up his face as he replied,..Other things, like what?
Orea grimaced at him, he had that annoying smirk on his face again..
'You're so dirty minded', she spoke up.
Says the girl whose imagination drifted someplace else on a mere close contact, he sharply retorted.., as he recalled her reaction during their previous interaction on the glass floor.
Orea's eyes narrowed in frustration, taking a step closer, she cocked her head confidently at him
You think you're all that?,..
We're face to face right now, do you think my mind's drifting?
No?, he muttered, his voice low as he closed up the gap between them, his fingers brushed against her temples, tucking some loose hair strands behind her ear as their faces hovered just inches apart.
Orea tensed beneath his warm breath, her pulse quickening as his fingers traced lightly across her cheek. His gaze dropped to her lips.
"How about now?" he murmured.
Her reply caught in her throat as she stared into his hazel eyes. They seemed to pierce straight through her, it must've been the reason she never broke contact when they met by the river.
Against her will, her gaze slipped downward tracing the sharp line of his nose, the curve of his bow-shaped lips, the firm cut of his jaw. Heat curled in her chest. What was she doing?
Orea tore herself back, stepping away as she grew agitated
Her voice tightened, What're you trying to prove Lynx?,
Nothing, his smirk deepened,
Like I said, I'm just curious to know what goes on in that head of yours.
He leaned close, his breath brushing her ear.
And by the way, he whispered,.."You looked lost for a minute there"
With that, he straightened and walked past her.
Tired of his antics, Orea squared her shoulders and faced him.
"And what about you? I once asked why you always stared back at me by the river, and you dodged the question."
"I didn't dodge it," he said smoothly. "I lied."
Orea's arms folded across her chest. "That's right, you said you had no reason. So what's the truth?"
Lynx's smirk lingered as he took a slow step closer. "That's simple…"