Chapter 27: Definitely Not A Savior
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The footsteps were getting closer and Xander tightened his grip on the sword, holding it in the kind of defensive stance he’d only ever seen in movies. His arms were tense. His heart was doing backflips as he blade’s runes glowed soft blue in the dark.
He crept toward the sound, bare feet silent against the dusty floorboards, the Xander took a breath, then burst through the doorway like a man possessed. "Hyaaah—!"
He swung the Aurex Blade in a wide arc and there was a scream...a very human scream, then a crash as blur of limbs and fabric tumbled backward, landing in a heap on the floor with a loud thud and a clatter of metal.
Xander blinked. "...Alyhana?!"
She groaned from the floor, one hand clutching her chest, the other still gripping a dented metal jug. Water was everywhere.
"What the hell—why are you sneaking around?! Scared the shit out of me!"
"I’m sorry, " Alyhana sat up slowly, her face already turning bright red. She looked at him, then immediately looked away. "Y-you’re still shirtless..."
Xander looked down at himself, then back at her. "...Seriously? That’s what we’re focusing on right now?"
"I—I wasn’t expecting—" she stammered, trying to gather the scattered pieces of the tray. "You weren’t in your room and I thought maybe you’d like something to drink—oh gods, I spilled everything–"
Xander sighed and offered her a hand. "Come on."
She took it, still avoiding eye contact.