Chapter 23: Say my name, Leticia

Leticia searched for Devon but couldn't find him. Disappointed, she headed to the library to return the book. While searching for the movable shelf, a voice startled her.

"What are you looking for?" Quynn asked, his light red eyes blank as usual. Leticia flinched, turning to face him. "Um... nothing. Just looking around." She lied, aware that Devon might have kept the inner library a secret.

Quynn's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. He knew she was lying. His eyes landed on the book in her hands, and he seemed to understand. Leticia looked away, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Suddenly, he walked to a shelf and pushed it aside, revealing the hidden door. Leticia's eyes widened in surprise. "Woah, I thought only Devon could open this place. So others can too?"

Quynn moved aside, allowing her to enter. Leticia quickly returned the book and left the room. He closed the door and replaced the shelf.

She smiled at him, "Thank you so much, Quynn."

He glanced at her but said nothing, walking away. Leticia followed, curious. "Can I ask a question? I'm so curious." He's always been so silent and serious and she wondered how it would be talking to him.

Quynn remained silent, continuing to walk and they soon walked out of the library. Leticia sighed, "My question is... why do you barely talk? When I first met you, I thought you were dumb." Maybe that was the silliest way to start the conversation.

He glanced at her, and she smiled, "No offense."

Of course, Quynn didn't reply, his silence predictable. Leticia huffed in frustration as they walked down the hall, "Please talk to me, I'm bored around here." She whined, trying to provoke a response, her voice echoing in the quiet hallway.

Quynn stopped walking and turned to her and she bumped into him. She stumbled but his grip on her shoulder held her sudden and firm.

"Stay away from me. I don't like you."

His words were cold and he sounded like he meant every word. Leticia didn't know why those words made her heart pinch, but they did.

"Oh... You don't. Why not?" She managed to ask, her voice softer than intended, her eyes searching his face for a hint of emotion which she didn't found.

Quynn narrowed his gaze at her, his light red eyes piercing. "I don't have to explain why I dislike you. Don't talk to me unless it's important. Have a nice day, Miss Andros."

Leticia suddenly felt annoyed, her eyes flashing. "Okay." She took a step back, her shoulder slipping out of his grasp, and turned to walk away, leaving Quynn. As she left, he sighed lowly.

Though they weren't close, cutting her off was harder than he expected. Quynn justified his actions, knowing that Devon's interest in Leticia meant he needed to distance himself. He couldn't let these feelings grow stronger; it was dangerous.

Devon would never allow anything to come between them, and Quynn knew he had to prioritize his loyalty.

Pushing every thoughts about her aside, he walked away.

*****

Leticia slammed her door, "To hell with his cold ass attitude. Who cares if he likes me anyway? I don't like him either!" She sat on her bed, letting out a sigh.

Her mind wandered back to the book she had read about the Mythics. Anyone would be curious about that name. After reading, she had learned that they were supernatural creatures who controlled the five elements of earth: fire, water, wind, ice, and earth and were also shapeshifers.

They drew energy from nature and could also transfer energy to it. A normal Mythic controlled one or two elements, while the royals controlled all five. The book was lovely, and it had hooked her until she finished it. Mythics vs Vampires. And, in the end, the Vampires won, defeating the Mythics. What an epic plot twist!

She sighed again, feeling bored. She made a mental note to ask Devon to return her phone.

"Why are you in such deep thoughts?" Devon's voice suddenly interrupted her reverie. Her heart skipped a beat, as it always did when she heard his voice. She looked up at him, "Oh... I didn't hear you come in."

"That's because you were lost in thoughts," Devon said nonchalantly, sitting casually on her bed.

Leticia stared at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You suddenly vanished again." She pointed out, trying to sound indifferent.

Devon smirked, leaning close to her. "You really don't like it when I leave you, do you?"

Leticia blinked, leaning back, her eyes darting anywhere but into his. "Not that. I actually don't care," she said although she knew it was a lie.

Devon chuckled, his right hand reaching up to caress her blush-tainted cheeks. "You don't know how to lie," he whispered and his finger traced her delicate jawline. He held her chin and made her look at his face, but she still avoided his eyes. She couldn't help but feel like she was falling into an abyss of desire whenever their gazes met.

She'd always felt it somewhere deep in her subconsciousness but never made much of it, but now, she couldn't help but do.

Devon leaned in further, his forehead touching hers gently. The gesture was so casual yet intimate. His odd spicy scent invaded her nostrils, and she couldn't help but feel calm.

"I missed you, Leticia," Devon confessed, his voice soft and sincere. He had to go on an emergency business trip and found himself unable to get her off his mind through out.

Leticia blushed, looking down, her heart pounding heavily. Is he serious right now? Why is he suddenly so touchy? He's usually always trying to scare her whenever he touched her but this felt different.

"Won't you tell me you missed me too?" Devon teased, his hot breath tickling her skin. Leticia wanted to whine at the sensations passing through her.

His hot breath fanning her face, his cold hands on her cheeks, his lips so close to hers... 'Gawd... Is he going to kiss me again?' The thought lingered on her mind as she replayed their first kiss in her head.

"I did," she admitted, knowing he would know if she lied anyway. Devon smiled softly and stroked her silky hair and Leticia wondered if this was the Devon she knew. He's so gentle although that mischief still lingered in his dark red eyes, "I know you did." He leaned closer, locking eyes with her. His eyes were clouded with a feeling that made her tummy churn.

Without thinking, she closed the gap between their lips. Immediately, she came back to her senses and tried to pull away, but it was too late. Devon had already wrapped his arms around her waist, locking her in place.

"Master..." she tried to caution him, but he was lost in her beautiful eyes.

"My name," Devon suddenly said, his voice low and husky. Leticia was confused, her eyes blinking cutely,realising what he wanted. "D...Devon..." she whispered, and immediately, his lips collided with hers. The kiss wasn't as soft as their first, but it still sent them to cloud nine.

He kissed her deeply, his mouth hot like an inferno. His hands didn't hesitate before they began to caress her waist, ghosting over her stomach and moving back down to massage her thighs. She was wearing a short yellow dress so it was easy to access her body.

She felt so soft in his palm and he had to hold back a groan as desire coursed through him.

Meanwhile, as he touched her, Leticia struggled to keep up with his kiss. His tongue in her mouth was doing wonders, and she couldn't think of anything else but him.

His lips left hers and he trailed kisses down her neck, nuzzling her collar, and she moaned softly, her hands tangling in his glossy hair.

Devon wasn't even stopping but Leticia suddenly pushed him away, her rationality screaming. Devon looked up at her, his eyes so dark that Leticia almost thought they were black.

Devon smirked, "Why did you pull away?"

Leticia shook her head, her heart pounding, "That... That was wrong." and she felt dumb the moment it left her mouth.

"Who initiated the kiss?" Devon's question caused her to blush blushed and she looked away from his eyes.

"You liked it," He spoke, his voice so sure. She shook her head, about to protest but Devon's hand slid up her leg, cutting her words short, "You're mine, Leticia." He was obviously reminding her and something in her chest squeezed. Right. That's why he's currently allover her. "I can do anything I want with you and I know you'll definitely like it."

Leticia's eyes flashed, "Are you going to turn me into a sex toy?!"

She didn't know when she blurted.

Devon's expression turned serious, "What makes you think I would?" Leticia looked down at her hands, her voice barely audible, "You're my master. You just said you can do anything you want with me."It kind of hurt her to admit it, but it was the truth.

Devon held her chin, his dark eyes burning into hers, "When I said you were mine, I didn't mean I'd turn you into my toy. I could never do that,Leticia. I adore you and that's a fact."

He sounded genuine and she blinked, her voice still shaking. "But... you hurt me. You always say you will..."

"Only when you make me mad," he replied, his smile hinting at a deeper truth. "I'm used to hurting others, but I'll do my best to ensure I don't physically hurt you again." He smiled at her dazed face. "And when I meant you're mine, I meant you're mine to possess, mine to hold and own. Not mine to use at will and then discard."

Leticia gaped at him, her mind racing. He smiled again, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You look so cute right now"

"Mas...Devon," she corrected, noticing the fleeting look on his handsome face. She'd never thought he'd want to call him by his name. "Devon," he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "What?"

Leticia took a deep breath before asking a question she had been longing to ask, and now seemed like the perfect moment. "Why didn't you kill me immediately when you knew I poisoned you?"

Devon's signature smirk returned, his voice low and husky. "Number one, I wanted to make you cry in agony... which I did. Number two, I just couldn't take your life. I was attracted to you."

Leticia's face flushed, her heart racing. "Oh..." His confession was making her heart skip beats like never before.

He stared seriously at her, his eyes intense. "And I still am." Without waiting for her to process his words, he crashed his lips onto hers.