Chaos Within

    He still was unsure. "What of Aaliyah?"

    "It's a teen dance. McNiel's too old," Sif said, waving his paw off handily.

    Eli didn't answer. His face contorted in a doubtful scowl. He sat at the table and pondered their words. Aaliyah, too old? No, she was only what…twenty-five, twenty-six? No, that was when they had first met. Now she had to be well into her thirties. Until now, the age difference had never mattered. Why should it now? Yet twenty years was a big difference. And Melissa was his age, and here, and was one of his best friends. Why not ask her to the dance? Even if they went as friends, it was better than going alone.

    Leaning back, he stared at the ceiling. Maybe this was for the best. If Aaliyah was hiding from him because she no longer loved him, then he couldn't keep grieving and making himself sick with worry. The big game was on his birthday and the school dance a few days after, it would be good for him to move on. Perhaps find someone new.

    "Cleo, what do you think?" The level headed cat was the best at judging what he should do.

    But Cleo's natural calmness broke into hysterics. "Go! Go! Ask her out for crying out loud!" he practically shouted, jumping at his young master.

    Bewilderment gripped him as both familiars started encouraging him at once. It was rare to see the two agree on anything let alone his private life. But they were both jumping up and down as if they had been waiting all their unnatural lives to be asked this question. A warmth he had not felt in ages grew inside him as Raven's creations started gabbing about the big night and how he should ask Melissa today so she could design herself, rather than Alexis, an outfit. The decision was practically made for him.

    More giggles came from the living room. They had heard their conversation! Eli realized to his embarrassment. He put his head in his hands. If he went back in there, he knew he would have Miao snickering at him and the others watching his every move. And if he waited, they would beg him nonstop until he asked her. This was just horrible timing. He wished he could just make everyone disappear, but Melissa. If his magick level was back to normal, he probably could have, but right now he would not dare such a thing.

    Sighing, he got up.

    "You're moving too slow!" Cleo complained, transforming to his true form. He pushed his head into the small of Eli's back, forcing him back into the living room.

    "Cleo!" Eli protested, stumbling into the well-furnished room. He gripped the edge of the black grand piano to keep from falling.

    "Everyone but Melissa, out!" the winged panther ordered.

    There was a bunch of laughter and giggles as the three filed out of the room. Nathan placed a reassuring hand on Eli's shoulder as he walked by and gave a small wish of good luck. The light in his eyes and smile were so perplexing, Eli wished he could read the man's mind. If only he could focus for more than a few seconds.

    Once the room was empty except for him and Melissa, Cleo shoved him to the couch and practically on top of the girl.

    "Cleo!" he yelped, up righting himself. He glared at the feline who simply gave him a lopsided smile and trotted back to the kitchen. Hanging his head, Eli laughed. "You've got to love him."

    She giggled. "He's very persistent."

    "To say the least."

    Silence filled the space between them, the only sound coming from the entertainment centre. Eli kept his hands clasped in his lap. He felt so awkward. First, he woke up beside her, which was innocent enough, they were both fully clothed, and now he was trying to figure out how to ask her out. He could not keep the heat from his face. Was this how Miao felt around Alexis before they started dating? Like a deer in the headlights of a Mack truck? Nervously, he took off his glasses and began cleaning them.

    "Eli, do you like me?"

    The question caught him off guard. "O-of course."

    "How much?"

    Good question. She was such a sweet girl, loving, caring, pretty, but not Aaliyah. He mentally kicked himself. Forget about Aaliyah, he chastised himself. "Uh…I…" His face must have deepened by two or three shades because she also blushed.

    Leaning forward, she placed a kiss lightly on his lips. "You said you owed me," she teased, pulling back.

    Eli's mind became mud. He wasn't sure how to react. Her lips had been so soft, so delicate, like butterfly wings. He touched his lips, mentally comparing the kiss to Aaliyah's. Melissa's had so much innocence and yet to be discovered passion.

    "So I figured we can go to the dance together."

    He was nodding before he knew it. "Sure."

    "Yeah?"

    "Why no--" He forgot his glasses as she jumped him, knocking him flat on his back on the old sofa. His glasses fell to the carpeted floor, luckily not breaking. His lungs felt trapped in his throat as he stared up at her. How such few words brought so much happiness, he would never fully understand. Even in Selena's clothes, which were a size or two too big, she looked elegant. He bit his lip as she folded her arms against his chest and leaned against him.

    "Thank you, Eli."

    Seeing her so joyful and knowing he was the cause, made his heart sing. "You're very much welcome, Melissa."

    "Hmm…I like the way you say my name. I love your accent." Her smile grew, revealing perfect white teeth. She suddenly grew serious. "Eli, I was wondering, would you--"

    "Yes." The word came out before she even finished her question, but he knew it was the right response. Yes, he would go out with her. Yes, he would be her boyfriend. Yes, he would forget about Aaliyah. Yes, he would get on with his life. Yes. Yes. Yes. Aaliyah…

    Her lips claimed his in a passionate kiss. Her delicate hands held his cheeks, long fingers stroking his hair. Her warmth filled him. For a moment, the fear of betraying Aaliyah, his first love, gripped him, but it quickly disappeared as Melissa pushed herself into him, her breasts pinned between their bodies. His arms wrapped around her small body, one hand cupping the back of her head. Her satiny black hair draped around their faces, making it seem like they were the only two people in the world. It was the best feeling in the entire universe.

    "What the hell!"

    Or so he thought.

    Just when life seems to be returning to normal, all hell breaks loose for Elijah Hawke. Dubbed as the most power magician of his time, Eli's battled countless rivals and even the Chaos Demon itself. But what was believed to be a won battle turns into an eternal struggle as the demon attempts to take possession of his very body and soul. And this time he must rely on himself to defeat Chaos while trying to save his friends from a warlock determined to rule the magickal world.