61. Ariel - Opening up

61. Ariel - Opening up
The following days pass uneventfully, and I spend most of the time with Elijah, Killian, and Khai. Asher is avoiding me like the plague, and that’s fine with me since I’m not his biggest fan either. 
Elijah and Killian told me about dragons being killed and the way they were murdered, looking a lot like how creatures from their homeworld, called leeches, would do it. They showed me all the reports, and I’ve read them very carefully, hoping I would find something they missed, but since this is the first time I’m doing this, as far as I can remember–nothing stood out to me. But it doesn’t stop me from reading the reports several times more. 
Two weeks after Elijah saved me from Noctyros, I’m eating a muffin while going over the reports once more. There has to be something in here that will help us identify the one who’s killing dragons and why. Elijah is more determined to find out more about how, but I don’t know how that will help us catch the criminal. 
Khai enters the kitchen wearing only a pair of shorts that hang low on his hips. He walks up to me and presses a kiss to my temple before he sits on the chair next to me.
“Would you look at that,” he murmurs. “A Muffin eating a muffin.” 
A smile spreads on my lips while I take another bite of my chocolate muffin. 
Khai groans, and my gaze goes to him. “Can I have a taste as well?” he asks. 
I extend my arm to him, the muffin in my hand, but Khai goes for my mouth. He kisses me hard and deep, his tongue licking my lips, before entering my mouth. More groans rumble in his throat as he continues to feast on me. 
“That’s the kind of breakfast I could eat every morning and never get tired of it,” Killian says from behind me. 
The guys are slowly waking up, which means my quiet morning is over. 
I free myself from Khai’s demanding kiss and turn my attention to Killian. “I think I will keep the muffins to myself from now on,” I muse. 
Killian laughs as he sits to my right. “Muffins taste better on your lips, so don’t blame me if I can’t resist the urge to have a bite or two.” 
I have a feeling he’s not talking about food.
Fortunately, Khai asks, “So, why were you up so early?”  
I pick up one of the reports. “I’ve been thinking…” 
“And?” Killian presses for answers. 
I shake my head. “I’m afraid I can’t be of any help.”
Khai pats my hand. “Thank you for trying.” He gets up. “I’m going to start making breakfast. Do you want me to make you something special?” 
“I’m fine with my muffin.” 
Killian snorts. “You need proteins.” To Khai, he says, “Make her some scrambled eggs and maybe some pancakes.” 
“That’s why too much food!” I protest. 
Killian sighs. “If you don’t eat proteins, you won’t have energy, and if you don’t have energy, you won’t be able to go running with me.” 
“We’re going running?” I ask quickly.
“Not if you are going to faint on me,” he replies. 
I haven’t been outside since I was sold to Noctyros and Ivan. My mates have insisted I stay in the apartment until the doctor said I’m all healed–which he did, a week ago–and still these infuriating dragons refused to let me put a foot outside. And now Killian says he won’t take me with him because he thinks I’m going to faint. Nonsense!
Between gritted teeth, I say, “I will whatever Khai cooks for me, but you still refuse to take me with you, I will kick you in the balls and go running alone.” 
A loud chuckle erupts from Killian’s throat. “Deal!” he says. 
I expect Khai to protest, but he doesn’t say anything, which I appreciate, since I need to exercise so badly. 
An hour later, Killian and I walk out of the apartment, and I take my first breath of fresh air in months. 
“There’s a park nearby,” he tells me as we wait for the elevator. 
Once in the park, we spend more than fifteen minutes stretching before we run–more like jogging, since I’m so out of shape, is not even funny. Twenty minutes of running, and I am done. I drop on a patch of grass while I try to catch my breath. 
“Are you alright?” Killian asks. 
I lie on my back and look at the tree canopy. “I am never going to run again,” I complain. My heart is breathing so fast. “I think I’m having a heart attack.” 
Killian huffs as he sits next to me. “You need to start dancing again.” 
I gape at him. “What do you mean by ‘again?”’
The corners of his mouth twitch as he looks in the distance. “When we first met, you were wearing dancing shoes. Remember? That’s how I knew that you love dancing.” 
The night I met the guys flickers in my mind. I barely remember the shoes I was wearing back then, but Killian hasn’t forgotten. It’s not the first time he has paid attention to little things. My chest feels funny, and before I can stop myself, I blurt, “I’ve been having dreams.” 
His brows draw together. “What kind of dreams?” he wonders. 
I haven’t told anyone about the dreams about Brian and his girlfriend. But I know can trust Killian not to tell anyone about them.
I chew my bottom lip before I reply. “Strange ones. I think…they are of my past.” 
“Oh,” he says. “Do…do you want to talk about them?” 
I hesitate only for one second before I say, “Yes.”

I've been dealing with burnout for the past month or so, and I needed to get some rest, which I did, and now I am back to finish this book :)