Time ✔️

Chapter Four

Word Count: 1543

~Rosie

I'm quite utterly mortified.

My feet stumble backward, as I look an escape. It becomes apparent quickly, however, that escaping is a foolish endeavor. Maybe it's magic, or maybe it's simply his gaze, but when I look into his eyes as Time as he walks in, I'm paralysed from the shoulders down. There is no hiding from him anymore. I should have stayed at the bakery.

Only when he tears his gaze from me, letting me blink away the shock of golden colour in my vision, does all the feeling return to my body. He eyes a stool, pulling it out so he can sit on it. He motions for me to take the upturned bucket I was previously sitting on.

"I simply want to talk, darling," he purrs, noticing my hesitation. That accent, it's so light, so twisted, like nothing I've heard before.

Quickly, I oblige him, sitting down in front of him.

I have a feeling Time isn't just here to talk. And if he is, I can't imagine what my information is any use to him. Then again, I can barely believe I'm sitting in a room with such a powerful immortal. His power consumes this room, a sharp reminder not to step out of line, otherwise he will find ease in taking me life.

"Shall I start by saying, I'm not offended you tried to hide from me. I would too," Time says softly, folding his gloved hands over his lap. I'm quite sure him saying that is not to make me feel better, but to offer an even ground. I somehow feel worse.

I don't say anything, licking my dry lips. Time watches the movement keenly, letting nothing go past his watchful gaze.

I shiver, unable to control myself.

"Apologies about being so abrupt. I'm just curious about the girl who stepped off the train into my territory. No one has done so in many years," Time informs me. It's something I've heard multiple times, and I know about as much as any of them. I simple sat upon the train and let it deliver me wherever it pleased.

Time waits a few moments, expecting me to speak, however, I remain dead silent. He sighs. "Think of me like one of those Hunters. Imagine me on their level. Speak to me, as such. I'm not here to hurt you."

It's hard to consider an Immortal as earnest. I look at him, his handsome perfection immeasurable, like nothing I've never seen, but it doesn't mask the danger attached to him.

"What are you here for, then?" I question.

I can see Time chewing the inside of his cheek, considering how best to answer this. "Call it impulsive of me, but when I hear commotion in my only village, I find it best to investigate right away. And when I heard rumours of a beautiful girl with green eyes wander in, I couldn't help but be intrigued. And might I say, the rumours are true."

My cheeks flush. Did an Immortal just call me beautiful? I hate how it makes me react, but I can't help the warmth that flushes through me, the shivering in my fingers that won't stop. I pray he doesn't notice these small weaknesses.

"Is that all, sir?" I ask, lowering my gaze. I heard others outside refer to him by that, so I assume is is expected of me also.

He suddenly pulls the chair forward, grabbing my chin.

I gasp, as he pulls me so close to him, I'm almost completely encompassed into the depths of his eyes, feeling the warmth of his breath on my mouth. "You are no submissive, my girl. I can see in your eyes there is something else in your head, so don't call me sir again, and speak louder next time."

He lets me go, and I relax my jaw. For a moment, I can barely breathe, unsure of where he got that from. Maybe he can see into my head, just like I heard his twin brother can. I hope not, otherwise he would know how all the warmth in my body he's caused me is centralised down below.