Zola Flash (The Zola Flash Series Book 1) by T. Marie Alexander Read Free Book Online

soothing tones, guiding me through.
    The next thing I notice, I am standing face to face with myself. Well, not myself-self, but a white fox-like animal on all four limbs. As if we are two different beings who need each other to be made whole.
    Thinking about Pin’s words, I begin to walk forward. I reach for the fox, shaking, but it claws at me. I hear Pin telling me to let the pain take over. But what does that even mean? I look at the animal. It looks back, mimicking me. But what if this being is the pain? After all, the only time I feel pain is when I morph, and maybe letting her claw me is taking in the pain.
    So, I just let this thing claw me?
    When I open my eyes, I’m myself again. Zola Flash. I take in my surroundings, surprised by how things seem so much brighter— like awaking from a dream and finding myself in a better place. The colors of everything seem to sing to me.
    Saving the best view for last, I glance up at Pin, and it is like I have never seen him before now. His aura sparkles like the Glucoxi galaxy, after a star shower in the midst of a dark winter.
    Pin has both worry and relief in his eyes as he stares back at me, but before I can even try interpreting that, his eyes go blank. Empty. No emotion in them at all. He gets up and grabs a small, thick quilt off the bed, and tossing it over my shoulders, he pulls me into a hug.
    I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face in his damp hair. “Pin,” I whisper in his ear, “you make me happy.”
    I can’t read Pin’s face when I draw back, but I know it shows nothing good. He breaks away from me and leaves the room. How did such simple words ruin a perfect moment? Why did I speak those words?
    With the quilt still tightly around me, I head from out the room after him, and as I enter the kitchen, I find him is pacing the floor, deep in thought. Like a student trying to solve a physics equation. Pausing, he glances toward where I stand in my shredded uniform, with the quilt wrapped around my exposed body.
    “I’m—” I quiet the rest at the intensity in Pin’s green eyes.
    Striding to me, Pin yanks the quilt from my shoulders. “Shhh,” is all he says before his lips are on mine.
    I can’t believe this is happening right now. Am I dreaming? Is Pin really kissing me?
    Yes, he is!
    When I don’t kiss him back, he pulls away and peeks down at my face. “What’s wrong?”
    “You’ve never kissed me before.” Of course he hasn’t, rationality argues—it’s only been two days. “I like it,” I tell him.
    Pin pulls me close. One hand cups my face, while the other wraps around my waist. His next kiss is not soft and slow like the other, but hard and deep. There is so much passion in the kiss, it only makes me want Pin more.   
    I move my hands to the first button of his shirt and undo it. With shaky hands and without breaking the kiss, I quickly undo the rest.
    Pin picks me up and cradles me in his arms. The ease with which he takes me to the room and tucks me in bed, all without breaking the kiss, makes me believe Pin must be a guy with plenty of experience. Unlike me. I have no experience at all.
    I break the kiss. “I’ve never done this before. You’ll tell me if I do something wrong? Won’t you?”
    Pin’s eyes widen, as if what’s happening between us has suddenly registered. “No, because I am not going any further with you.” As if to prevent any argument, Pin covers my mouth with his hand. “You should sleep.”
    I want to disregard his demand, but as exhaustion settles over me, I realize I have little fight left and sleep sounds like the best option.

Chapter Fourteen
    “MOM, MOM!”
    I scream but my mother is standing too far away. A solar flare is headed straight for her, while she stands as lifeless as the Victian Memorial, the lack of expression upon her face incongruous upon so lively a person.
    “Why do you not speak to me, Mom?!”
    Mom tilts her head upward, and as I follow her gaze, Rican emerges from the