Free Fire and Ice by Michele Barrow-Belisle Page B

returned almost instantly. He frowned in concern.
    â€œI… I’ll be fine.” I nodded before he could ask. “Just need to focus on something else for a while. Talk to me.”
    â€œIf you think that will help…” He hopped onto the desk beside me and his thigh brushed mine, sending a ripple of heat down my leg. “You didn’t tell me what you’re singing tonight.”
    â€œI was planning on ‘Think of Me’, from the Phantom of the Opera .” I waited for a comment.
    He stared at me with lowered brows.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing, it’s just… is that your favorite piece from the score?”
    â€œMost of the songs are duets. I’m doing a solo.” I shrugged.
    â€œThat wasn’t my question.”
    â€œOkay, no. It’s not my favorite piece. I guess that would be Point of No Return .”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhy?” I repeated incredulously. “I don’t know. It’s so passionate, intense. And I love that scene… where Christine succumbs to her undeniable desire for her angel of music. I sing it all the time in the shower.” My face flushed. I’m such a moron. Why, do I talk?
    â€œThen sing that.” A light sparked in his eyes. Or maybe I just imagined it.
    â€œBut I told you, I’m —”
    â€œâ€”Singing a solo, I heard you. I think part of your problem is you’re afraid to let your emotions show.”
    â€œAre you psychoanalyzing me now? Because I get enough of that from your father.” It still bugged me he knew so much about me when I knew so little about him.
    Adrius paused looking unsure, then ran his hand through his hair. “If you had the option, would you sing a duet?”
    I stared blankly. “What are you saying?”
    â€œIf you asked me, I could sing it with you.”
    â€œYou… can sing?”
    He laughed.
    â€œI don’t mean anything by it. It’s just… I didn’t know.”
    His mouth twisted wryly. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Lorelei.”
    â€œObviously. So, okay. A duet… Sure. But…” Was a duet a good idea considering I had an angry vengeful cheerleader plotting against me? I’d feel awful if something happened to him on stage because of me.
    As if reading my mind, he added, “I wouldn’t worry too much about Brianne if I were you. I have a feeling her evening might not go as planned.”
    I looked up at him with a doubtful smile, feeling almost calm for the first time in days.
    Brianne was slated to perform right before me. But by the time we made it backstage, Davin was rushing her out the door.
    â€œWhat’s going on?”
    â€œBri had an allergic reaction to something.”
    â€œAllergic reaction? To what?”
    Davin shrugged, holding a puffy, moon-faced blonde in his arms. “They gave her a shot, but I’m taking her to the ER to be safe.”
    â€œWow. I hope she’s okay.” I reached out, trying to touch her arm. I always tried to use my gifts discretely when I could and physical contact was a must for me to help someone, even if only to lessen their pain.
    â€œStop talking to her!” Brianne wheezed through swollen lips, pushing my hand away. “And you… don’t touch me.”
    â€œI’m really sorry, Brianne.”
    â€œYeah, I so don’t care. Davin, I need to get out of here… Now!”
    As they left Davin nodded in my direction and mouthed a silent, “Thanks anyway.”
    I turned to Adrius, who had a strange look on his face. Not quite a smirk, but definitely something mischievous. I squinted at him, but before I could question him, the announcer was calling my name.
    â€œWe’re up,” he said, grabbing my hand, adding electric sparks to my butterflies. His rush to get us on stage left zero time to make up my mind about the duet… now it was no longer a choice. It was a done