The Secret Trinity Unearth by Jenna Bernel Read Free Book Online

exchange. I had become more unglued than usual.
    His grin turned crooked again, “Ah, blood sugar issues, that explains it.” He was mocking my sorry attempt at lying.
    “May I buy you breakfast then? If you faint on me I would feel responsible for making you tardy for your next class. Although…I would not mind seeing some rose return to your cheeks.” He chided playfully with an undercurrent of concern.
    He was probably right about my cheeks. The moment he suggested we dine together, I felt all the blood drain from my face. I thought I might faint, not from hunger but from the shocking turn this conversation has taken.
    I looked at him blinking rapidly in surprise. Was he serious? I had made such a fool of myself. I instantly wanted to vigorously nod yes to his proposition, however, I thought a guy buying me breakfast would definitely breach my pact with the girls.
    “Um, that is really sweet, but I can buy my own breakfast. You could join me if you want.” It just fell out of my mouth. I clenched my lips shut trying to hide the surprise of my own words. I could not have breakfast with him. Quick, say something clever. I willed my brain to think but nothing materialized.
    “You know, just as friends, not like a date or anything.” Shut up, shut up, shut up! I screamed in my head.
    I decided that if I said one more stupid thing, I would jump into the manhole I had been eyeing in the street and escape underground forever. I was stunned when he started to laugh and then looked down at me with a flirtatious grin.
    “Alright friend, how about we pop in the café over there.” Liam said pointing across the street to a coffee shop.
    I simply nodded and started walking. If I looked at him now, the little will power I had left would be shattered. He probably just wanted to know what it is like to dine with a crazy person.

Chapter 9: New Energy
     
     
    We sat at a table for two next to the window and a waitress sporting a short green apron took our order. The menu was minimal, so I chose scrambled eggs with a fruit cup and toast. Liam ordered a cheese omelet.
    “I’ll be right back with your lattes,” she muttered as she scribbled our orders on her pad and disappeared into the kitchen. We were alone.
    I looked out the window not knowing how to begin. Thankfully he made the first move. The flirtatious grin reappeared on his face as he leaned forward and stuck out his hand.
    “How rude of me. I have not formally introduced myself to my new friend. Hello, I am Liam McKenna.”
    I decided to play along, “Hi, Aria Darwin, pleased to meet you.” I took his hand in mine, and gave it a firm shake.
    The moment our palms touched, a pulse of energy coursed through me so intensely I almost gasped. My eyes went wide with shock, and he looked down at our hands with an expression I didn’t understand.
    Trying to hide the astonishment on my face over the sensation of his touch, I pulled away gently, hopefully coming off as casual and attempting to ignore what his contact had done to my stomach. My whole body buzzed and I was feeling faint.
    What the hell was that? I had never felt anything like that before in my life, not even when I had levitated. I gulped hard wondering if he felt it too. My breathing had become irregular when he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, watching me. He looked at me slowly from head to toe and I fidgeted in my seat.
    A cloud of dread steamed over me now, dripping soggy drops down my spine as the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. This poor, regular Joe, had no idea what was going on. He unknowingly was having breakfast with a freak of nature who could defy gravity, and apparently, could pulse energy through other people, or whatever that was…
    After what felt like a lifetime of silence, Liam leaned onto the table and laced his fingers together, “So, tell me Aria...” Oh no. He’s going to ask what just happened, and I didn’t have a clue. I eyed the door ready to bolt.
    “Why