{"id":3509,"date":"2017-12-16T11:28:27","date_gmt":"2017-12-16T11:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/?p=3509"},"modified":"2023-02-20T06:03:58","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T11:03:58","slug":"basilisks-creed-chapter-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/basilisks-creed-chapter-five\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basilisk’s Creed: Chapter Five"},"content":{"rendered":"

Transparent<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a small, undefined stretch of eternity, my brain ceases to function, disintegrating into a billion fragments and barely putting itself back together before my heart attempts to rupture my chest; the lone muscle pounding like a hammer inside me, pumping more blood than it can probably handle far too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

A second later, a multitude of tingles erupt inside my lower belly, fanning out in a collective hum in between short bursts of intense tickles.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Butterflies”, girls often call them.<\/span><\/p>\n

These aren’t butterflies.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are blind, oversized moths, fluttering in a rabid, uncontrollable frenzy, colliding with each other to produce absolute chaos inside my body.<\/span><\/p>\n

And it’s all conjured by a single look from the devastatingly handsome man in front of me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crow black hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sinful, distracting lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insane build.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impeccable posture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tall as a mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

And his eyes\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, my God<\/em>, his eyes!<\/span><\/p>\n

Wow<\/em>...<\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t even voice my awe, the words stuck in my throat. In fact, I think I may have lost the ability to speak all together.<\/span><\/p>\n

I find myself blinking rapidly, my eyelashes fluttering in tandem with the crazy moths in my belly, and I can\u2019t control it. It\u2019s like my eyes are trying to make sure they\u2019re not deceiving me, or themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holy cow, he\u2019s hot!!! <\/em>I think to myself. Like, illegally, irresponsibly hot!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

He obviously doesn\u2019t notice my silent praise, advancing toward me with a scowl on his lovely face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he demands, his voice insanely deep. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m too stunned to speak\u2026to move\u2026to do \u0627\u0649 \u0634\u0626 <\/em>but stare at him like a frickin\u2019 idiot.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a few strides he\u2019s in front of me, towering over my significantly smaller frame with both immeasurable sex appeal and unspoken threat oozing from his body. \u201cI asked you a question,\u201d he snaps, narrowing his eyes at me.<\/span><\/p>\n

I just keep staring in awe\u2026which, apparently, does nothing but infuriate him even more.<\/span><\/p>\n

His eyes go deadly, their sockets shadowed by a callous, unapologetic glare. A full fledged scowl quickly follows, tainting his striking features.<\/span><\/p>\n

He looks unbelievably<\/em> menacing.<\/span><\/p>\n

His imposing, overwhelming presence makes me extremely uncomfortable\u2014somewhat frightened even\u2014and yet, I still can\u2019t bring myself to look away.<\/span><\/p>\n

So we just keep staring into each other\u2019s eyes: something I find bizarre and weird because I normally can\u2019t maintain eye contact to save my life, even with people I know\u2014and certainly never with eyes like his.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not that I\u2019ve ever seen anything remotely like them before: a striking gradient of teal, sapphire, and cornflower blue, each vibrant hue bleeding into the next, creating an astonishing mesh of color laced with a unique, crystalline quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like twin galaxies\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never seen anything like them: so surreal and intense and\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexy<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Really, really <\/em>sexy.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen my fair share of gorgeous eyes before but his are just\u2026stunning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond exquisite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Powerful<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shit, did I mention they were sexy?<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, my God\u2026I can\u2019t believe how much I\u2019m getting turned on.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This stranger is yelling and glaring at me like I just killed his family dog and all I can do is stand here dumbfounded, getting all hot and bothered and unable to take my eyes off him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ugh, what the hell is wrong with me?!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s dead silence for a moment, and I wonder why he isn\u2019t saying anything all of a sudden.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s obviously creeped out by the way you keep staring at him, you dunce, <\/em>the voice in my head scolds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Waves of embarrassment heat my cheeks at the realization, and I quickly avert my gaze from him, feeling unbelievably awkward. I continue to stand there for God knows how long, feeling the heat of his own scrutinizing eyes on me.<\/span><\/p>\n

A long, uncomfortable pause ensues, stretching on for way too long.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abruptly, his deep voice reverberates in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou find me attractive?\u201d he says quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

That stuns me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflexively, my eyes dart upward, reflecting my utter shock as I meet his breathtaking gaze again. I blink rapidly against the tidal wave of confusion that engulfs me, even more surprised to find that his previously hard glare has softened somewhat and become more neutral.<\/span><\/p>\n

I stare at him with both astonishment and embarrassment, blinking rapidly as his words replay in my head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh God, did I end up saying what I was thinking of him out loud? <\/em>I fret, panicking internally. I don\u2019t remember saying anything, though.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he says, his voice seemingly deeper. \u201cYou didn\u2019t actually say anything. But you did think <\/em>it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t help but stare at him with what I\u2019m sure is the most quizzical expression my face can muster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ummm\u2026come again?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure you heard me the first time,\u201d is his response, cocking his perfect eyebrow almost sarcastically.<\/span><\/p>\n

My eyes grow wider than they ever have, stretching to their limit, and then some.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, my God\u2026 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

H-He can read my mind? <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

How\u2026how on earth is that possible? I-Is he a soothsayer? One of those palm-readers, maybe? <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cH-How\u2026how do you know what I\u2019m thinking?\u201d I stutter like the confused idiot I am at the moment, verbalizing my scrambled thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

He replies in a matter-of-fact tone. \u201cI can read your energy. You\u2019re pretty transparent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

My eyebrow arches without my permission.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transparent? <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

What the hell is that supposed to mean? <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I am <\/em>so not transparent. Hell, last time I checked, I was pretty darn <\/em>opaque.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI meant transparent in terms of your expressions and body language,\u201d he says, gesturing with his large hands, \u201cnot your physical appearance\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you meant,\u201d I interject, cutting him off with a roll of my eyes. \u201cAnd would you stop reading my mind? It\u2019s rude.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He shrugs nonchalantly. \u201cIt\u2019s not like I\u2019m trying to pry,\u201d he says. \u201cYou\u2019re practically screaming the words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I fold my arms over my chest in annoyance. \u201cYou are<\/em> prying,\u201d I retort. \u201cI haven\u2019t said \u0627\u0649 \u0634\u0626<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not,\u201d he insists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are<\/em>,\u201d I counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAm not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAm not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh. What are you, five<\/em>?\u201d I blurt incredulously, surprised that someone so charismatic and ominous can also be this childish. \u201cFine. Since I\u2019m practically screaming the words<\/em>,\u201d I mock, repeating his earlier remark, \u201cthen cover your ears or something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He chuckles at that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gosh, he has such <\/em>an attractive laugh\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Ugh, I need to stop with all that!<\/span><\/p>\n

Get it the fuck together, Eli. He can read your mind, remember? That means he can tell you\u2019re as hot as a horn dog for him, you know. Have a little self-respect.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay, I need to get out of here before I make a complete ass out of myself in front of this mind-reading, suit-wearing, beautiful stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n

I take a step forward, trying to walk past him but, as soon as I do, he stops me in one effortless motion, cornering me against the pulpit with his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an instant, I find myself trapped between the marble podium and his large, muscled body.<\/span><\/p>\n

I look up at him questioningly, unable to stop myself from admiring how good his suit looks on him up close.<\/span><\/p>\n

God, he\u2019s big\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I shake my head in frustration with myself as soon as the thought forms.<\/span><\/p>\n

I really need to get a grip and stop with all this eye-candy-ogling madness and focus.<\/span><\/p>\n

He speaks again, his voice remarkably calm and quiet this time, gentle even. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for yelling at you earlier, but this is private property and you, my dear, are trespassing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I try to keep a straight face and not look like I\u2019m about to instantaneously combust from his piercing gaze and super close proximity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know I was,\u201d I say, feigning aloofness. \u201cIn any case, I\u2019ll be on my way now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To think I\u2019d be told such a thing in my <\/em>own dream of all places!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Avoiding his gaze, I try to step forward again, hoping he\u2019ll get the hint that he\u2019s crowding me and move out of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Homeboy doesn\u2019t budge.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Transparent     For a small, undefined stretch of eternity, my brain ceases to function, disintegrating into a billion fragments and barely putting itself back together before my heart attempts to rupture my chest; the lone muscle pounding like a hammer inside me, pumping more blood than it can probably handle far too quickly. A second later, a multitude of tingles erupt inside my lower belly, fanning out in a collective hum in between short bursts of intense tickles. “Butterflies”, girls often call them. These aren’t butterflies. These are blind,… \u0627\u0642\u0631\u0623 \u0623\u0643\u062b\u0631<\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[172],"tags":[],"series":[101],"class_list":["post-3509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ongoing","series-the-basilisks-creed"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/TBC-Wattpad-Header-1024x341.jpg","blog_images":{"medium":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/TBC-Wattpad-Header-300x100.jpg","large":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/TBC-Wattpad-Header-1024x341.jpg"},"ams_acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3509"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emendedhearts.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=3509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}