Ryker was slouching so he was eye level with me. I nodded. I didn't understand what was going on. All I know is that Jax needs help. I couldn't shake the image from my head. He was begging for me to help him. I was going to figure out who was controlling him. Even if it's the evil in himself, I'm going to get Jax back.
"What are you two doing here?"
I jumped as I noticed Graizen standing outside of the elevator doors. I averted my eyes from him. We hadn't spoken since my ceremony. It had been over a week. I had been avoiding him as much as I could. Graizen didn't really seem to care. He probably didn't even notice I wasn't hanging around him anymore. I bet he has already moved on to his next victim, pretending they have such an effect on him.
"She just wanted to see him. I was there the whole time." Ryker said calmly. I could sense the nervousness in his eyes as he shifted his feet awkwardly. Graizen looked as if Ryker had just punched him in the face. My anger grew as I stared at him.
"Last I checked, you aren't my father. So, you don't have the right to be angry with Ryker." I cut in.
His eyes didn't change as they landed on me. Graizen only crossed his arms, letting me speak. "If you want to be mad at anyone, look at yourself. I sure as hell wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had that attitude of yours."
I knocked into him with my shoulder as I made my way to the elevator. His eyes didn't leave mine as the doors opened. I slid myself in, as the doors began to close. A hand forced its way in as the doors opened again. I groaned to myself as Graizen came in, the doors closing behind him.
"What is your problem with me? I keep saving your life and this is how you repay me?" Graizen almost laughed as he practically towered over me. I seemed so small, staring up at him.
"You're the one who puts me in danger half the time!"
"Keep telling yourself that. You'd be as dead as your mother if it weren't for me."
Slap.
My mouth dropped as I stared down at my hand. Did I just slap him? There was an angry red mark that took up half his cheek. I held my hands to my mouth as I stared at him. I can't believe I just did that. He wiped his face as he turned away from me. I felt the need to apologize, until I remembered what he had just said.
"Don't you ever disrespect my mother's name."
My voice was dripping with anger as I yelled to him. I wanted to slap him again. I wanted to hit him until my hands bled. He was getting in my head again and there was nothing I could do about it. I looked down as I leaned against the wall. I wanted to get out of this elevator as fast as I can. Suddenly, the elevator stopped, sending us both to the floor. I yelped as my ankle twisted underneath my body. The lights went out as I stared into complete darkness. I cried out in pain as I untwisted my leg from underneath me.
"Thia! Are you okay?"
I heard Graizen call out from the abyss. I hear movement as I felt his arms around me, lifting me up from the ground. I winced as a jolt of pain shot up my leg.
"I think so," I groaned. "I landed on my ankle when I fell."
"You're always getting yourself in trouble? Aren't you?" Graizen laughed. I pushed at his chest in anger.
"This is your elevator. You guys can move water. But, somehow, you can't have a running elevator?" I teased.
"Who do you think I am? Harry Potter."
"No," I countered, "But I wish you were."
Graizen's muscles tensed as I heard him let out a small laugh. "I didn't know glasses and a bowl cut were your thing."
"They aren't. I just appreciate a guy who cares about other people."
His shoulders dropped at my words. "You don't know me, Thia." Graizen's voice was soft, and low. "You've only been here for a little under a month. You haven't seen what my life has been like these past 20 years." He breathed out. "So, stop pretending you do."
I didn't say a word as my eyes slowly adjusted to the dark. The only thing I could make out were his striking silver eyes. Silver eyes that were staring straight into mine.
"I'm sorry." Graizen blurted out. "For what I said, about your mom. She has quite the daughter, though."
"Does she?" I perked up. I was enjoying this playful side of Graizen. Honestly, I had no idea it even existed.
"She's quite stubborn. And, she can also be really annoying." Graizen teased. I rolled my eyes. "But," He continued. "She's strong. And, she's so damn brave. She makes me do things I never thought I'd ever do, for anyone."
My eyes didn't leave his. I felt him begin to lean in as the lights returned. The doors came open, Ryker standing outside of them. I pushed away from Graizen's chest, limping towards Ryker. Graizen let me go, as Ryker gave me a questioning look.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be." I quietly said. I didn't look back at Graizen as Ryker led me up to my room. I almost let myself fall for his lies, again. I must be stronger than that. Ryker could tell I wasn't in the mood to talk as he guided me to my bed.
"Do you want some ice or an extra pillow for your ankle?"
"No, thank you." I shook my head. "It'll be all healed when I wake up."
Ryker nodded, giving me a sympathetic look.
"Hey, if you ever need to talk to anyone, I'm here."
I felt so grateful for him as I stared into his eyes. I threw my arms around his neck as I pulled him close to me. "I'm so glad I found you and Rayner."
"I'm glad I found you, too." Ryker mumbled. I could hear emotion in his voice as we continued to embrace eachother. As I pulled away, I noticed he was crying. I gasped, suddenly feeling tears well at my eyes.
"Oh my gosh, I didn't mean to make you cry." I put my hand on my chest as I stared at him with wide eyes.
"No, no. It's just, you remind me of her. Freya ." Ryker choked out. "I never thought I would get to see her again. But I do, every day, in you."
"I wish I could've met her." I sighed.
"You two would've been such a pair. I don't know if the city would've been able to handle the both of you." Ryker laughed as he wiped a tear from his eyes. I felt a tear slip from my eye as I joined in on his laughter.
"Get some sleep, kiddo."
Ryker laughed as he messed up my hair. I rolled my eyes as I fixed my hair, settling myself in my bed. He closed to door, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I let myself slowly doze off, dreaming about what it would be like to have a sister.
YOU ARE READING
Every Broken Part (Series)
Romance"Every broken part of me is a puzzle piece that fits perfectly with all the broken parts of you." ~~~~~~~~~~ How would you feel if your entire life you were hid away to be protected from the monsters you only thought existed in storybooks? How woul...
Chapter Thirty-Two.
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