The Oath by Apryl Baker

grabbed my hand, pulling me into him. His free arm wrapped around me, trapping me against his chest. He smelled delicious, soft and earthy, and again, I caught the distinct scent of stone. My breath hitched, and it took every ounce of will I had not to simply melt against him. I’d never reacted to anyone like this, ever. I hated it and I loved it all at once. Very disturbing.
    “Did you tell your father?” he asked softly, letting go of my hand so he could wrap it around my neck and pull me closer to those luscious lips of his.
    “No,” I whispered, licking my own lips. I’d never wanted someone to kiss me so badly in my entire life.
    “Good,” he whispered, relieved. “I don’t want to have to hurt anyone to protect you.”
    I frowned. “What?”
    “Rose, your father is on the Council. He takes that role very seriously. It would kill him to do it, but he would turn you in. He would see it as saving your soul from becoming a dark witchling.”
    “And you won’t kill me?” I asked, trying to ignore the truth of his words. My dad believed in the rules of the Council and had taught me growing up that none of us were exempt from those rules, including us.
    “Not if I can help it,” he said solemnly. “I do plan on saving you despite your best efforts to screw your life up. You have a gift, Melinda Rose James, one you don’t even realize yet, but if you do this, all that is lost. You won’t be able to do what you were meant to do, and then we all get screwed over.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I almost shouted. What nonsense was he going on about now? And why hasn’t he kissed me yet? Dammit.
    His nose found mine and rubbed alongside it. My knees buckled. If he hadn’t been holding me, I’d have fallen. The small gasp that escaped made him chuckle. “I have plans for you, Rose, that don’t include taking your head.”
    “Plans?” I squeaked, trying to slow my breathing. Did he just say…take my head?
    His lips feathered over my cheek. “Starting with getting you on this bike.”
    Xavier kept one hand firmly around me so I couldn’t escape, and then sat on the bike, pulling me even closer. “Your turn, Rose.”
    I eyeballed the spot behind him with dread. I did not like bikes. Amanda had been killed while riding behind her boyfriend, Max. Neither walked away from the accident. Just the thought of being on a motorcycle made me start to shake.
    “Trust me, Melinda,” Xavier leaned in and whispered. “You’re safer with me than anyone else on this Earth.”
    “Until you decide to kill me,” I reminded him, panicked. No way could I get on that thing.
    He laughed. “Stop stalling.”
    Gingerly, I threw my leg over the bike, and when Xavier released me, I slid in behind him. He showed me where to put my feet. “Put your arms around me and hold on, Rose.”
    I barely had time to grab on before he started the bike and we were off. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing. After a few minutes, I was able to calm down enough and actually feel the power of the bike beneath me and the wind rushing at me. I never got up the nerve to open my eyes, but I did enjoy the wildness of the ride. It reminded me of when I used Elemental Magic. The power of the Elements tore through me, giving me this crazy rush. Riding the motorcycle was as close to that same rush as I’d ever come. It was amazing.
    And sort of fun.
    But I wouldn’t admit that to Xavier. No need to feed his ego.
    When we finally stopped, I said a prayer to whomever was listening for keeping me alive. I opened my eyes and saw we were parked next to a cabin in the woods. That stupid movie popped into my head, and I shoved it aside. There weren’t crazy people ready to unleash horrors upon us to appease the gods. Nope, just one very sexy Protector who could kill me at any moment. How stupid did that make me to be here alone with him?
    Xavier hopped off the bike, took off his helmet, and grinned like a little boy. “Didn’t