Chapter 158 Practice (2)
Alessia’s POV
I continue to watch him calmly
“What now? Am I trying another face?”I ask Alex as he stands stock still looking at me.He shakes his head as if in a daze before responding.
“ I want to time you and see how long you can hold the transformation.” He turns his watch around staring at it intently.
“You want to time me?” I repeat slowly not sure I heard correctly.
“Yes Alessia”
We are both silent for a moment.
“You are not sure I can hold it long enough to get into La Geneva” I say calmly
His gaze meets mine sharply “Have you ever tested how long you can hold it for?” He asks and I shake my head “No Frederic didn't say anything about the time limits.” but that could also be because I didn't ask and at that time I didn't know we would be attempting to retrieve La Rosa so soon. It's Thomas and all his failed attempts that are pushing us into action.
“Even though when you had the lesson we didn't know we will be entering La Geneva so soon.” He sighs “it's very important we know it will help us when fine-tuning the infiltration plans.”
\-He is right of course
Alex thinks of everything and it hurts a tiny bit I don't want him to doubt me. Nonetheless I cannot get angry ,I cannot get hurt ,My face will ripple and I will fail the test! I tuck all my emotions back into my mental box then lock it up for examination later.
\-Closing my eyes for a moment I remember Angelicas tinkling laugh, the ways she bites her lips when translating scripts. The way she sticks her tongue when teasing Luca, the curve of her neck.
I inhale and exhale strengthening my glamour by adding these little details. Remembering Frederic’s words “You must mimic every little detail”
Opening my eyes once more I turn to him “How many minutes”
“Two minutes.” He says
I smirk “ Pfft that is nothing.”
I feel a slight sheen of sweat gathering on my forehead from the effort, this is one thing Frederic didn't tell me holding on to the glmaour is harder than shifting.
“Three minutes” Alex repeats and I turn to him
An idea sparking in my mind “Imagine if Luca had been here” I ask him
He smiles “His face will drain of all colour within minutes and he will be muttering prayers under his breath.”
I let out a tinkling laugh
Angelicas exact giggle
Woah - damn I'm good
Alex turns to me his face full of pride “You nailed ot Alessia”
Warmth fills me with his praise even though I know I earned it.
My spine starts to tingle and I know I am almost at my limit.
My fingers start to twitch involuntarily
Alex watches everything
Every nuance
Every twinge
“Take a deep breath” he whispers gently.
I shift on the floor mimicking Angelica’s movements deliberately.
“Alex” I whisper shakily my body starting to feel tired.
“Hold on let me check.” I glare at him in Angelicas exact expression he raises an eyebrow at me then he checks “Five minutes “
“You can slowly drop it now” he adds
I let out a deep breath of relief the corridor suddenly feels warmer than before I don't know if it's from my use of magic to create the glamour or the protective wards in the place sensing magic use.
My vision slowly starts to dim at the edges and I know I am at my maximum shutting my eyes I start transforming slowly.
Painfully
My shoulders revert back
My spine
My hands
My hair
Finally the most painful my entire face, my jaw ripples into place as Alex let’s out a loud audible sigh he steps closer and crouches low in front of me.As soon a I open my eyes he is eye level with me.
“How do you feel?” he murmurs
My breathing is coming out in short spurts
forehead covered in sweat
“I feel like I ran a marathon” I whisper wetting my dry lips.
“You did very well” he confirms quietly.
“Definitely better than yesterday” I manage between breaths.
He reaches for me scooping me up from the floor like a baby and I let him. My whole body feels like jelly I dont think I will be able to stand on my own even if I tried.
“How long?”
“Five minutes thirty seconds” he whispers into my ears.
A sense of pride fills me even though I am exhausted.
“I did it” I whisper to myself
“We did it” Alex corrects gently
“Are you not glad we practiced now?” Alex chides gently.
I nod not able to say a word
My body is tired
Fatique is hitting me quite hard now that I am back in my own skin.
Alex walks back towards our room “I am sorry I pushed you so hard.” he says softly kissing my hair.
“It's okay we were in agreement.” I can't let him take the blame I was also curious to see how long I could hold it.
“And to be honest with you I didn't expect five minutes you exceeded my expectations.” he adds
I let out a huff of breath not able to laugh. He knocks on the door gently and it's opened.
“Alex what happened to her?”I hear lucys panicked voice reach me and I smile.
“We were practicing glamour” Alex replies calmly
I hear Angelica walk up and join her “Glamour at this hour?”
“Yes We wanted to discover how long she can hold it.” he says simply
“How long?” Lucy inquires
“Five minutes and thirty seconds” Alex says with pride
They both let out shocked gasps “Alessia-”
“I am okay” I mumble even though it is obvious I am not as Alex walks over the threshold to lay me on the bed. Propping my head on the head board gently.
“You should get some sleep” he instructs
I can't even see him clearly as my eyes have started to close on their own with almost closed eyelids I reach for his hand looking towards him as he moves to leave “Alex please let me know-”
“I will Alessia” I promise he kisses my cheeks softly
“Please rest.”
I adjust myself on the bed as exhaustion pulls me under like quick sand.