The Trials: Drinks and Decisions
Part Two of 'The Trials' expanded fic.
(Part One here!)
Plot Summary: Theo and Jane meet at the McKittrick to discuss cooperation over drinks, leaving them both grappling with their internal feelings.
Pairing: Theo Deschamps x Jane Warfield/Reader (note: reader-insert friendly! Jane's physical description kept very vague.)
Can be read alongside listening to The Trials on Quinn.
Content: world building, teasing/banter, lust/tension, fighting feelings
Wordcount: 6,400+
Additional credit: Tyler McCall - original writer of The Trials audiobook.
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Theo sat casually at his sleek desk, mulling over his plan again. Work with Jane, use her skills to bolster his own, and move through the trials like they were simple as anything. He’d impress the senior members, and most importantly his father. And by the end, that spot would be his and his alone. He ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling.
In the last trial, he’d take the win from her. He could do that easily, strength wise he was much bigger than her, and magic-wise he was extremely skilled in physical magic. He could easily bind her, and grab the win. She wouldn’t see it coming anyway. He’d gain her trust, make her think there was more than one spot available. She’d be blind to his intentions, believe they were doing it together.
In the end, it wouldn’t matter. The spot would be his and he’d never have to think about plain Jane Warfield and her infuriatingly imprisoned knees ever again.
He glanced out of the large window. It was properly late now. Dark, inky clouds were scattered across the sky, blocking out the stars. A faint moonlight glowed from behind one of them, like it was struggling for air.
He waved his hand lazily across his desk. Parchment appeared in front of him eagerly. He started writing in an elegant, italic hand. After a moment, he sat back and admired the note approvingly.
He waved his hand once more, and the note folded itself up into a neat little square, before vanishing with a small pop. He stood up and stretched in one fluid motion.
The die was cast, the dominos were set. He already felt triumphant as he walked toward his bedroom. He slid out of his clothes and into the bed, satin sheets settling gently across his bare chest. That spot on the Black Ravens was his, and he slept like he’d already won it.
***
The last embers in the fireplace glowed quietly inside Jane’s cosy living room, sending soft light dancing across the dark walls. She was curled up on the couch, legs under her, having only hastily removed her shoes before collapsing down onto it with a hearty sigh. She looked down the hall toward her office and decided. No more Black Ravens research. She had to cut herself off. It was time to focus on the trials.
Her mind wandered back to the recruitment meeting… to him. No matter how irritating Theo’s arrogance was, no matter how easy it usually was to brush off his attitude, she kept returning to their conversation, replaying it in her head.
Surprised to see her there? She scoffed out loud. What did that mean? Did he think she was weak, that she didn’t belong there, and that she didn’t have a chance? That a non-legacy shouldn’t be in the same ranks as someone like him? That her magic was average at best?
Self-doubt crept up her spine. She curled her lips into her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. God, he was infuriating. She’d held her own against him in person, but his attitude truly got to her in secret. His mocking, the way he thought he was so much better than her and made no effort to hide it. She wanted to slap the permanent smug look right off of his face.
She sighed again, leaning her head back and shutting her eyes, doing her best to scrub his sarcastic smiles from her mind. She shouldn’t let him get to her this much. Why did it matter what he thought? She knew her ambitions, her goals, like the back of her hand by now. She knew her reasons for wanting to be a in the Black Ravens. It shouldn’t matter what Theo Deschamps of all people thought of her. She shut her eyes tighter. She wasn’t here to impress him.
A small pop sound made her eyes snap open. Floating in front of her at arm’s length was a small, neatly folded square of parchment. She stared at it, hovering there politely. It shook slightly as if waiting, encouraging her to read it. Who the hell was sending her mail at - she glanced at the clock on the wall – 2am on a Sunday?
Gingerly she took the note from the air, and unfolded it like some fragile thing.
Jane. Meet me at the McKittrick bar, Friday at 8pm, after work. It’s about the trials. Don’t be late. – Theo.
She stared at Theo’s handwriting, trying to decide whether she was surprised at how neat it was or if it was exactly what she’d expect from someone like him. She traced each word with her eyes. It was proud, elegant, another type of showmanship. She decided she wasn’t at all surprised.
But – meet him at the McKittrick? To talk about the trials? She wasn’t certain she could stand listening to another conversation laced with overt arrogance and sarcasm, fend off more mocking about her ‘talents’ as he’d so childishly put it.
She mulled it over, clicking her tongue and inhaling sharply. Her interest was piqued, though. If Theo had more information about the trials, that might be an advantage to her. His father was a member after all, and his family was a big part of the Black Ravens, she wasn’t ignorant to that fact. Maybe there was something she’d missed in her research, something he could tell her.
But if so…what would he want for it?
Apprehension rose through her slowly, inch by inch, her leg bouncing. She remembered their conversation from hours earlier, still so fresh in her mind. Theo wasn’t exactly…friendly. Welcoming. They weren’t friends, they never had been. They were from completely different worlds. Now, they were technically rivals. What could he possibly want from her? What could have stirred him to want to meet with her, to want to see her again? His intentions were not obvious.
Her brow furrowed. She had to find out what he wanted, what he was up to. She stood up decidedly, folding the note back down and placing it on a side table. Whatever he was up to, she was going to figure it out.
***
Theo entered his apartment, the cool damp air following behind him like a shadow. He shook out his soft mop of wavy hair in the entrance way, and placed his wool coat and scarf on the rack in the corner. Work was such a bore today. The only thing he’d enjoyed was the small glances between him and Jane across the office. She’d nodded her head in his direction as they passed silently in the elevator earlier in the week, quietly confirming that she would attend their meeting tonight. Each glance reminded him of his plan, and his imminent Black Ravens win.
And of course, of her frustratingly prim work outfits. Today it was a grey, pleated skirt that fell to her knees, paired with a plum shirt that was buttoned up to the top. Black stockings without even a hint of sheerness imprisoned her legs as usual. Her hair had been in its usual high bun. Theo sighed, frowning. He didn’t know why he cared what she wore, but it got to him. No one could be that prim and perfect all the time, surely.
He flicked his hand vaguely toward the modern kitchen island as he stepped fully inside. A glass slipped silently out of a cupboard and waited in the air for its instructions. Theo snapped his fingers. The glass slid under the faucet, filling itself with water and gliding smoothly towards him. He took it casually from the air and sat at his desk, drafting another email.
Dear Ben,
Greece sounds like a blast. Don’t brag about it too much though, some of us are still suffering through a New England Autumn. It’s disgusting here today.
Theo looked out the window and sighed at the gloomy, rainy sky.
Anyway, I’m pleased to report that I was right. None of the other applicants are going to be real competition. It’s mostly the usual suspects of people in our circle, and then…Gregory. Can you believe that loser got an invite? So, that spot is already mine. Oh, and Jane Warfield did get an invite. They must have a quota for non-legacies or something because I really can’t imagine why else the Black Ravens would invite her to apply. Still, I have figured out a way to make it work for me.
He tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, his other hand resting briefly under his chin as he contemplated disclosing his plan.
You might remember that Jane just barely beat me for Valedictorian, only because she studied harder and I don’t test well but whatever. There is no question her concealment work was better than mine, I never had the patience. And her potions always turned out higher quality than mine. She’s…capable, for sure. Jane is basically the most well-rounded candidate other than me, which means she’s the only one who might be a thorn in my side. So, I figure – “if you can’t beat em, join em”. Right?
Theo glanced towards a rolled up parchment scroll on the desk, the wax seal ripped in half from his rushed opening.
Our first clue arrived today. We took the oath so I can’t say much about it but it’s the one that’s meant to test our intelligence. I’ve asked Jane to meet with me tonight to discuss it over drinks. I’ve hatched a brilliant plan. I’m going to propose that we work together, to beat out all the other applicants. That will make knocking the others out that much easier, and keep her close to me while I’m working on it.
He paused for a moment, hesitating without meaning to at his next words.
Then, in the last trial…I’ll just take it from her. And the best part is, she doesn’t know there’s only one spot available. So she won’t realise that she’s basically handing me the win.
He sighed, knowing how Ben would react to this plan of his. Knowing he’d disapprove.
I’m sure you’ll think that’s a nasty trick, but Ben you know my father and you know what’s at stake for me if I don’t do everything I can for this spot on the Black Ravens. I can’t be the first Deschamps heir not to take the badge. Anyway, enough about that. I should be getting ready for my date.
“My date?” Theo questioned himself. He grimaced as if the word tasted sour. “Ugh.” He hit the back space, and rewrote.
My meeting with Jane. Fingers crossed it goes in my favour.
Speak soon, Theo.
The email sent with a soft woosh.
“A date?” Theo scoffed quietly to himself. “Only if hell freezes over.”
He walked back to the front door, grabbing his coat on the way out. Wet rain drops still adorned it. He shook it out as he stepped out onto the landing. He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it absentmindedly. Then, with a casual snap of his fingers, he vanished.
***
The McKittrick had an ancient, old English vibe to it. Crooked, dark wooden beams lined the ceiling. Black wrought iron sconces holding thick, lit candles adorned the walls, and an irregular mish-mash of rugs and carpets covered the wide wooden floorboards with a very casual irregularity. The bar was newer, though. Shiny, polished mahogany. With glass cabinets spread across the wall behind it, lit up and housing every type of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage Jane could think of.
Dark mahogany tables matched the bar, spaced out across the room. Some free standing, some booths in corners and lining the walls under the windows.
Soft, gentle jazz emitted from somewhere unknown. She couldn’t see a jukebox – it seemed to just be part of the air itself. The same type of hovering, softly humming balls of light that were outside of the Black Ravens building floated gently in here, too. Jane felt the warmth of one near her cheek as she stepped away from the bar, martini in hand.
She scanned the room. It was busy, as usual. Various pairs and groups of mages were scattered about the tables and booths. Some looked casual, laughing and drinking. Some were in formal robes, muttering quickly to each other. Professors, probably.
Jane chose a table through an old interior archway, slightly off to the side. She sat down.
God, what am I doing here? Her leg bounced of its own accord, giving away her apprehension. She dug her heel hard into the floor. She hadn’t bothered to change, she had nothing to prove. She slid off her grey, cropped wool coat and laid it over the back of her chair. She looked down at her watch.
Theo’s note flashed in her mind. ‘Don’t be late.’ She scoffed. He was late. And it didn’t surprise her.
The bell on the front door chimed. Jane looked up. Striding confidently towards her was Theo, as if he knew where she was immediately upon entering. Was she that predictable? He wore a smile that seemed too sickly sweet. He slid out of his coat, hanging it on the back of the chair opposite her.
Jane’s eyes betrayed her otherwise cool demeanour, glancing down along the line of his forearm that was peeking through his casually rolled sleeves. He smiled at her still, trying too hard to look warm.
“Ah.” Theo inhaled. ”I should’ve guessed you’d be here early, Jane.” He said.
His low, gravelly voice sent a shiver down the back of her neck. She looked up at him, he was still standing.
“I’m on time. You, however, are late.” She said, flashing her watch at him. “Against your own rules I see.” She added thickly.
He sat down with a smirk; he wasn’t a man of too many rules, after all.
“Excuse you? I am…” He looked down at his own watch, a soft growl rumbling in his throat. “Hmm…fine. Ten minutes late. Which is on time for most people.”
His eyes flashed down from her hair to her torso, taking in her outfit. “And at least I changed out of my work clothes.”
He raised an eyebrow as his eyes travelled back up to her face. Jane shifted in her seat, feeling somehow exposed. She took a sip of her martini, and felt the alcohol slowly warming her stomach.
“Let me ask you something, Jane. Do you own any clothing that doesn’t fit the office dress code?” Theo continued snidely.
“Why does it matter to you what I wear at all? Would you have preferred I show up in a clown costume?” Jane retorted, irritation flashing behind her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter to me at all, I’m just curious. Anyway…” He said, nodding towards her drink “I see you got a head start on me.” Theo gestured to a waiter who was floating between tables nearby. “A Manhattan, on the rocks please.”
Jane stared silently at him, trying to figure him out. She wished he’d get to the point quickly. Why were they even doing this, so he could critique her outfit choices some more? He looked friendly enough tonight, smiling, chatty. But there was something else underneath it, something conniving.
As he took his drink gracefully from the waiter, Jane’s eyes absentmindedly tracked his hands. Several of his long fingers were adorned with chunky, silver rings, the light glinting off of them distractingly.
Theo continued, gesturing vaguely to her drink again. “You know, I wouldn’t have taken you for a martini girl. I’d have guessed you like a sturdy, reliable glass of red wine.”
“Yes, well usually that’d be more than fine. But…” She paused briefly. “I needed something stronger if I was going to sit here and converse with you.” Jane replied, looking sideways at him.
Theo laughed. Maybe she did have a sense of humour after all.
“You wanted a higher alcohol content to deal with me? Well I’m honoured. I hope the martini helps but I have to know…” Theo stared intensely at her, his voice dropping several octaves in a way that made her feel flighty.
“Do you like it dirty, Jane?” A sly half smile crept up his face, pleased with himself.
A chill ran down the back of her neck. Something more dangerous and hot curled inside her stomach.
She swallowed hard and dug her heels into the floor. She knew what he was doing, and she wasn’t giving in to his teasing that easily. “Are you going to get to the point of why you invited me here, or not?” She asked breathily.
Theo looked at her blankly, but her physical reaction to his teasing hadn’t gone unnoticed by him. She didn’t say it in words - he’d felt the air around her shift into something minutely more static. His eyebrows flicked upwards slightly.
“Fine, straight to business it is. But first, a toast.” He raised his glass towards the middle of the table. “To our imminent acceptance into the Black Ravens.”
Jane attempted to look anywhere other than his face, she was distrusting him more by the second.
“Uh uh,” Theo tutted, snapping her attention back to him. His gaze locked onto her eyes so intensely her throat went dry. “You have to look at me in the eyes when we do this. It’s a sign of trust.” He said softly.
She sighed and stared confidently back at him, but her nerves started firing under her skin like rogue sparklers. Their glasses clinked together, and he smiled slyly.
“So, you want me to trust you, is that it?” Jane asked, feigning the confidence until it returned to her for real.
“Mmm.” Theo said, taking a swig of his drink. “Also did you know the French believe you’ll have seven years of bad sex if you don’t make eye contact during a toast?”
In the briefest moment, his eyes travelled from hers to the edge of her jawline, and down her neck. He looked up quickly, ignoring the sudden, unwelcome urge he felt to touch her face.
His eyes lit up, teasing again. “You’ll be thanking me for your next orgasm.” He added with a smirk.
Jane’s insides flipped, the unwanted heat travelling up from her lower belly to her chest. She exhaled heavily before it could reach her cheeks, keeping her face composed and unimpressed. She took an irritated sip of her drink, emptying it.
God, he was infuriating. He wasn’t flirting with her, he was mocking her. Sizing her up. He was arrogant, and unserious. And her body was betraying her. She couldn’t let him sense what was rising under her skin. She narrowed her eyes at him.
Theo felt the static become more palpable.
“Well that hit a nerve…” He continued to poke. “Not getting laid much these days?” he said jokingly, looking down his nose at her.
That was her tipping point. She hated being mocked by him. She hated his arrogance, she hated his teasing. And she couldn’t stand the way her body was responding to him anyway. She stood up briskly, her chair scraping loudly across the floor.
Theo’s face dropped. He actually looked something adjacent to apologetic, knowing he’d pushed too far. He held out his hand to stop her, feeling guilty.
“Wait, wait don’t go. I’m sorry. You’re right, that was out of line.” He looked up at her, attempting a look of sincerity and falling somewhere short. “Please stay. I’ll behave myself, I promise.”
Jane stared at him, hesitating for a moment. She did still want to know why he invited her here, what his intentions were. She sighed, and sat back down.
Theo looked grateful. “Thank you, Jane.” He said, relieved she hadn’t walked out.
“Theo, why did you ask me here?” Jane sighed.
“I invited you here tonight because I have a proposition for you.” Jane shot him a dirty look, eyes narrowed. “Not like that, don’t worry.” Theo reassured her. But he frowned, offended. “Though I feel like I should be insulted by the face you just made at that…”
“So, not something inappropriate then?” She challenged.
“No, it’s about the trials. I had a thought the other night after our meeting...” He looked slightly hesitant.
“Did that hurt?” Jane asked cynically. Theo pretended like he didn’t hear her, but the corner of his mouth curled up a fraction.
“You’re smart.” He said.
Jane raised her eyebrows, waiting for a joke to land. It didn’t.
“Oh don’t look at me like that. I’m not so arrogant that I can’t admit when other people are skilled. And we both know you’re very intelligent.” He continued, voice even. He wasn’t teasing anymore.
Jane’s eyes stayed narrow, waiting. “Go on,” she permitted.
Theo nodded slightly. “Anyway, as I was saying - you’re smart. And I remember how well you did in school. But, I also remember that you struggled with physical magic.”
“No I didn’t.” Jane said immediately, preparing to defend herself and her magic against wherever Theo was going with this. Her hand tightened around her empty glass, her eyes met his in defiance.
He scoffed lightly at her. “You absolutely did. You nearly got killed in combat class one time.” Jane’s defiance faded, remembering the class Theo was meaning. He continued, “If the professor hadn’t been watching your match closely, that kid would’ve taken your head off.”
Jane sighed, saying nothing. It was true. Her physical magic could be better. It was one of her main sources of self-doubt.
“My point is you’re brilliant, and incredibly talented.” Theo said. It felt sincere. He meant it. He smiled at her. No teasing, no bullshit.
Jane’s cheeks flooded with heat, turning a soft shade of pink as she broke eye contact with him, looking down quickly, pretending to adjust her skirt.
Theo felt her hesitate. He tilted his head down to study her face closer.
“I’m sorry… are you blushing?” He asked. He looked slightly amused as she tried to shake her head in disagreement, but her cheeks were still pink. “Do you not get complimented often?” he asked.
Jane lifted her head back up, attempting to be casual, and looked into his eyes. Stupidly, impossibly blue. Who even has eyes that colour? How is that fair? She mused in her head. His eyes searched hers back, knowing her answer without her even saying it.
“Ah.” He concluded. “Well, it’s true.” He said softly, with genuine sincerity this time.
Jane blushed again, wishing she could pull her shirt up over her godforsaken cheeks.
“Anyway, you’re good. Great even. But the second the trials get dangerous, I think you’re in trouble.” Theo suggested.
“So what do you propose, then?” Jane asked, cheeks cooling slightly now, as her focus was drawn back to figuring out his intentions.
“That’s where I can help you. I’m sure you remember but I was always top of the class with that kind of stuff.” Theo’s voice softened again. “As a matter of fact I was almost always right behind you in most classes. And I could have been Valedictorian if you had just…”
Jane scoffed incredulously. “You, Valedictorian? Right… and if I had have done what, exactly?” She challenged, feeling defensive again.
Theo continued softly, not giving her defiance any room. “I don’t know. If you had just had a little more fun in college like the rest of us, and not spent every spare second studying?” He asked with faint sarcasm.
She stared at him blankly, waiting for the next jeer, but he continued normally.
“Well, I guess that’s not important right now. I think you and I both know that we’re each other’s only real competition in the trials right?”
Jane’s lips curled over her teeth. She didn’t want to speak down on anyone, especially any of the other applicants. The trials were going to be hard for all of them, and they all had their merits, she supposed. But deep down, she knew he was right.
Theo felt her hesitant energy land in his chest. She didn’t want to rag on anyone. She was good, kind. He exhaled, softening his shoulders, smiling gently at her.
“The others have their advantages but…they aren’t nearly well rounded enough.” He continued.
“Us though, we’re nearly… perfect.” The word perfect lingered in the front of his mouth. His eyes dropped inadvertently to her neckline again. He continued softly. “And we complement each other really well. Our weak spots I mean. I could help you with the physical stuff, and you could help me work through the brainy stuff.”
Jane searched his eyes again, his argument made sense. It was logical that they’d choose to work together for the trials. They could both end up on the Black Ravens after all, Jerry hadn’t exactly said how many spots there were. They could help each other get there, he was right. She couldn’t help but sense deception under his words, though.
“So, what you’re saying is…?” She prompted him.
Theo raised his eyebrows slightly. “I’m saying, while I’m sure each of us could get through the trials on our own, if we did them together…we could do it much faster. No one else would even stand a chance.”
Jane hesitated again, the deception she sensed was ringing in her ears like a threat. She swallowed, and sat back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the table.
Theo felt her uncertainty plain as day. He was suddenly so acutely aware of Jane’s physical emotions. Maybe from their current close proximity… or from something else? He wasn’t quite sure. But he could’ve felt her from across the room.
His voice softened further. “You seem unsure. It’s not against any of the rules you know, I triple checked. Applicants in the trials are welcome to work together, most people just choose not to because they don’t trust each other.”
“And I can trust you?” Jane asked, sceptical. “Theo, I hardly know you. You hardly know me.” She added with a sigh.
Theo laughed, taken aback, but wanting to convince her it was misplaced suspicion. “Well of course you can trust me.” He insisted, almost too well. “I mean think about it. What reason would I have to lie to you?” He smiled sweetly at her.
“Working with me would be an advantage to you, Theo. My research would be invaluable and I think you’re aware of that.” Jane pointed out.
“Yes, yes this would help me. But, it would help you too.” He agreed softly, gesturing at her by tilting his glass.
Theo shook the empty glass, the ice rattling around in it. “I could use another drink.” He concluded. “Would you like one? It’s on me. Well, they’re both on me actually.”
Jane nodded. She was beginning to see where he was coming from, even if she didn’t entirely trust him.
“Great,” Theo grinned. He knocked on the table, and the waiter floated over to them. “Ah, another Manhattan please. And a martini for the lady…” He paused, looking over at Jane. “How do you like them?”
Jane clenched her jaw. She really didn’t want to give him the leverage. She rolled her eyes at him as a smile crept up his cheek. He already knew what she was hesitating to say. She sighed. Theo ginned.
“Ah,” he chuckled, understanding. “And make it dirty please.”
Jane nodded once toward the waiter.
Theo looked down at her through intense eyes, teasing again. He couldn’t help it. She was so sensitive, even if her face wouldn’t outwardly admit it. Everything she felt underneath her perfect, controlled façade was pricking him like needles in the back of his neck. He was going to take advantage of that every moment he could.
“So… you do like it dirty.” Theo grinned. Jane kicked him hard under the table, her eyebrows furrowing angrily.
Theo laughed breathily. Riling her up was like nothing else he’d felt in quite a while. “Okay, I’m sorry! But you set me up for that one you have to admit.”
Theo’s voice softened again as Jane took her refill from the waiter. He kept his eyes on her like a hawk on prey.
“So, what do you think? Do you want to work together?” He asked, attempting casual but unable to hide the slight hope in his tone.
“How much time do I have? Is this an offer that… expires?” Jane asked, still searching for his motives.
“No, you don’t have to decide right this second, if you want to take some time to-”
Jane cut him off. In truth, she had already decided. If she couldn’t figure him out over drinks, she would have to keep him close until she did. “Yes, Theo. I… I guess I do think it’s beneficial.” She concluded with a quiet sigh.
“Yes? Yes - you want to work together?” He looked surprised, as if a large part of him hadn’t expected her to accept.
She curled her lips over her teeth. “Yeah. Let’s- let’s do it, then.” Something curled softly in her stomach as she said it. She refused to acknowledge it as excitement, labelling it as apprehension instead.
Theo looked genuinely happy. “Excellent.” He grinned. “This is a great idea. You’ll see.” He swirled his drink around, taking a sip. The ice rattled again, settling.
“Another toast. To our winning partnership.” He looked her at her intently again, like he was testing her. Jane raised her glass to his, keeping her eyes locked on his. The corner of his mouth slid up.
“Hmm.” Theo growled softly to himself. “Excellent eye contact on that one… and I didn’t even have to ask. You’re a quick study… aren’t you?” He asked, his voice slipping lower into dangerous territory.
Jane shrugged at him with a small smile. Theo couldn’t stop studying her. The soft, orange glow from the candlelight seemed to dance across her cheeks, slip softly down her jaw, and settle into her neck. His eyes followed it as it flickered gently across her skin. Strands of her hair had come loose, falling delicately around her forehead. Her hands, small, curled around her glass with fragile care. Something fluttered briefly inside his stomach like a moth.
Jane raised her eyebrows at him. She couldn’t help but notice the way he was looking at her now, it was… gentler. Almost kind. His eyes had glazed over with something soft. The deep, icy blue that had childishly teased her all night suddenly felt warm.
She took another sip, swallowing down the lump of heat that was rising in her throat. “Are you, okay Theo? You’re looking at me in a weird way.” She pointed out.
Theo’s lips parted slightly in surprise, like he wasn’t aware that had been obvious. “What? No, I-I-I’m… I’m not looking at you in any special way.” He stuttered, trying to recover his earlier demeanour.
“It’s just um. You look different tonight, actually. It’s… nice.” His voice had slipped back down again. He didn’t want to be noticing her in any other way than as a rival, and yet…
“There’s something about you that’s…” He continued, searching.
Heat rose under Jane’s skin once again but she stuffed it down into her heels. It was her turn to poke him, to crack his arrogant façade.
“I think the word you’re looking for is… pretty?” She fluttered her eyelashes deliberately and pretended to swoosh back her hair dramatically. “Are you allergic to that word?” She asked, smirking.
Theo grimaced slightly. “No… no, hang on. I’m just saying you look pretty in this light.” He said pointedly. “It’s just the candlelight in here it’s quite… flattering. That’s all.”
He cleared his throat, and inhaled sharply, recovering his usual arrogant composure. This was not the time, place, or person for whatever fleeting appreciation he’d just had.
“Right so, let’s dive in. You got the first clue this week too right?” Theo asked, changing the subject entirely. Back to the point, back to his plan. He needed to get on with it.
Jane nodded, remembering how the scroll of parchment had appeared so rudely on her dining table earlier in the week, almost landing in her cereal bowl.
“Hmm.” Theo contemplated. “Well, I’ll be honest I can’t make sense of it. I’ve never been very good at figuring out riddles.” His eyes skirted back over her face automatically at the last word. “Do you have any idea of where to start?”
Jane sighed and stared at him, rolling her shoulders back as if to loosen what had settled there over the evening. “Actually, yes. I might.”
Theo laughed heartily, like he’d already known her answer. “Well of course you do.” He grinned. “Right… well. So what are your initial thoughts?”
She looked at him almost apologetically. He wasn’t going to enjoy her answer. “Library.” She said plainly. “Whatever information we are looking for, we will find it there. Trust me.”
Theo whined at her answer. “Ugh. I was afraid you’d say that.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Alright fine, so we have to go to the library to do research. Let’s get that part out of the way.”
“The sooner the better.” Jane shrugged. It was inevitable.
“It’s too late now obviously, but should we say tomorrow morning? I can meet you there when they open.” Theo suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Jane scoffed. “Do you even know when the library opens?” she accused.
Theo puffed his cheeks out slightly. He didn’t, clearly. He probably hadn’t stepped foot in there for years.
“Nine o’clock.” Jane pointed out.
Theo smiled thankfully. “Great, it’s decided. In the meantime though, I had some theories I wanted to talk through. And I’d love to hear yours because I know you have some.” His eyebrows flicked upward, eyes searching hers again.
***
It was nearly midnight when Jane finally stumbled lightly through her front door.
It’s just because I’m tired. She told herself, kicking off her shoes and laying her grey coat over the back of a squashy arm chair.
It was true, but she had also made her way through three martinis over the course of her meeting with Theo. God, she was going to regret this when the morning chime rang in her ears. Why did they have to talk for so long? Granted, she was doing most of the talking. She had a few quite in-depth theories about their first clue.
Theo of course barely contributed anything except more teasing, and the odd prompt for her to discuss more. All night, Jane swore he was trying not to look at her too hard. But she caught him, a few times, gazing at her like a riddle he was trying to figure out, like a stitch he was trying to unpick. She shook her head, trying in vain to clear it.
She snapped her fingers and a small hovering light appeared behind her, humming gently. It followed her has she walked ungracefully down the hallway, pulling out bobby pins as she went. She arrived at the bathroom, leaning over the sink and running the faucet, tossing the pins into small a ceramic bowl on the counter. She cupped her hands under the faucet and sighed as the cool water ran through her hands, overflowing them. She splashed her face.
What was…that? That ridiculous heat that kept flashing under her skin, that unwanted hunger she’d felt whenever he looked at her too long, as if she was starved? The way she had to keep digging her heels into the floor, holding indifference on her face like her life depended on it. And failing at it occasionally. Every time she did had Theo noticing, taking it as an opportunity to make some joke. She shook the water off her face, sighing.
Jane walked further down the hall and into her bedroom, the light still following her. She slipped out of her work clothes, pulled on an oversized t-shirt, and peeled back the covers of her bed. Sliding into it, she stretched out and groaned, trying to release all of the confusing tension that had wrapped itself around her. She wasn’t interested in him. They were complete opposites, they’d never been friends even in school, and depending on how many Black Ravens spots there actually were – they could be actual rivals now.
It’s just the martinis. The candlelight. The smell of mahogany. It’s nothing. Jane told herself sternly.
She wasn’t going to fall for it. She wasn’t going to risk it all for some charm and high cheekbones. Especially when they were attached to the most arrogant man she’d ever met.
She snapped her fingers and the light dissipated, leaving her blanketed in darkness, just a faded moonlight edging around the curtains. The cool air brushed her face as she slipped under sleep, her head spinning as she went.
***
Theo dropped heavily onto his sofa when he arrived home that night. He waved his hand toward the windows, sending the curtains gliding smoothly over them. He squeezed his temples with his hands, sighing. He needed to focus. Focus on the trials, focus on the win. Focus on the one spot that belonged to him. Not on… her. She was a means to an end. Just a tool. Not some equation to be deduced, not some work of art to discover.
Although… the way the candlelight had danced across her skin, so delicately at the bar… The urge he felt to -
He shook his head violently. The Black Ravens was all that mattered. Without that badge, he’d be nothing. He’d be a waste, especially in his father’s eyes. And at work? Theo Deschamps, losing out to Jane Warfield? The gossip he imagined made him grimace. He couldn’t bear the thought. He slapped his thighs as he stood up decidedly. It was time to lock in, properly. She was nobody. Theo needed her research skills. That was all. He didn’t need her muddying the waters, that was for sure.
He slipped into the bathroom in the dark. Faint moonlight was leaking in from somewhere, dancing off the shiny black tiles. He saw it again, in his mind uninvited. The candlelight…the way it danced off of her…
He grabbed the faucet aggressively, like it had personally wronged him. It ran violently, the sound shattering the serene late night quiet like glass. He slipped off his rings and gathered the water in his hands. He splashed his face, shaking his head. Too many Manhattans or something. Too many distractions. Too many ways to try and get under her skin. He sighed and closed the faucet off.
His bed was a welcome embrace when he slipped into it, the cool satin sheets reminding him how hot his skin had become.
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Disc: everything not included in 'The Trials' audiobooks was written by me.
