Read Online UNBREATHABLE by Hafsah Laziaf - Free Book Online

says brightly, though his eyes still burn on my skin. He smirks.
    “Are you alright?” Julian asks once he leaves. I force air through my nose. Inhale. Exhale. “You look pale.”
    “I'm fine,” I whisper.
    He gives me a look that says he doesn't believe me but thankfully lets it slide. He slips knives from his boots and sets them on the table lining the wall and I wonder if he was with Dena. If he changed his mind about love.
    “We're going to do some basic stretches and loosen up first. Are you ready?”
    I nod, though I can’t meet his eyes.
    “Then let's do this.”
     
     
    I’m drenched in sweat and embarrassment. Julian doesn't seem to notice when he guides my arm back behind my neck.
    My hand trembles beneath his touch. My heart races so fast, I’m afraid it will explode from overheating like the motors I’ve read about. Julian notices. My breath catches at the intensity in his gaze.
    “Clear your head, Lissa,” he says softly.
    I swallow. His hand closes around mine again and my whole body pulses with my heart.
    “Pull your hand back, like this.” He pulls my hand back toward my shoulder.
    “Focus on the target and nothing else. Then throw.” His voice is lulling. I can't focus on anything but my thrumming heart, my hand pulsing beneath his, and my body, slick with sweat. How can I focus when he is so close?
    But when my breathing synchronizes with his, my pulse slows. My mind clears. Julian releases my arm.
    And the faded red and white target is all I see. I think of all the physics Gage taught me. The rules of trajectory paths. I close my eyes for a brief heartbeat, expecting to hear his voice and see his face, but all I see is the target.
    I open my eyes and throw. My arm swings forward and my fingers release the knife. I hold my breath.
    And watch as it sticks into the cushioned wall between two targets.
    Just as the door opens. And Dena laughs.
    I think I might die from humiliation.
    “You did good for your first try,” Julian says, but his voice is tight. I could have done better. Especially because she was here to see it.
    Dena pulls the dagger from the wall and twirls it her hand.
    “I bet you need a break, Jules.” Her voice is suggestive.
    Julian's eyes dart to me. “No, I don't. Just leave, Dena.”
    She scoffs. “Can't you see how pathetic she is? Why bother? Let the Jute do whatever they want with her. At least they’re good-looking. Better than good, I should say.”
    Julian clenches his jaw. His voice drops. “Dena. Leave.”
    Dena looks at me for the first time. She opens her mouth.
    And I can’t take it anymore. Because anger is stronger than fear. Because I finally snap. “Did anyone ever tell you to take a hike? On Earth, that meant shut up and leave, no one wants your condescension.”
    I clamp my mouth shut, heat exploding across my face. Julian snorts and barely covers it with a cough. Dena turns bright red and glares at him.
    “You don't want to die anymore, do you, Julian?” She takes in his stricken face before she storms out, slamming the door behind her.
    My hands shake when I retrieve the dagger from the floor.
    “I'm sorry,” I can barely say.
    He scoffs. “Sorry? That was- I didn't think you had it in you. And besides, Dena deserved it.”
    A blush burns my face and I struggle to change the subject. “Can I keep this with me?”
    He doesn't answer right away. Finally, he blinks. “Oh yeah, sure. Tomorrow then?”
    “Tomorrow,” I say.
    He hurries out, leaving me surrounded by a multitude of weapons I can't even use. I stare at the knife in my hand.
    Jute learn as fast as they heal , Julian said.
    Pathetic , Dena said.
    I'm not. I step back and angle my arm. I'll show her I'm not. I throw the knife. It lands an embarrassing length away from target, worse than before. I pull it free and release a shuddering breath. Anger still pulses through my veins. It is new to me, this anger.
    I let it stay, fuel me. And I throw the knife again.
    And again and