Page 40 of Michael
“No worries there.” The beast almost snatched my finger off last time. I almost didn’t heal fast enough to spare Amanda the hideous sight.
“I’ll get my bag,” she says, rising from the couch with a sigh, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
She shuffles down the hallway and pauses at her bedroom door, her fingers grazing the frame as she opens it and walks inside. The door snaps shut behind her.
The minute we’re left alone, the kodi burrows his tiny paws into my arm, kneading the skin in circles until he finds a spot that he deems suitable for snuggling. He then jumps into my lap, claws gently grasping the fabric of my clothes, and curls up into a ball for his nap.
“I guess you’re tired too,” I whisper, stroking his head.
Suddenly, the kodi springs to alertness and hisses.
“I thought I told you to leave her alone.”
The snarling voice sets me on edge at once. The demon, Richard, stands in the doorway, his eyes burning with anger.
I spring to my feet and charge towards him, grabbing his shirt collar and lifting him off the ground. “What do you think you’re doing here?” I growl. “I know what you did to her shop!”
He cracks a sour grin. “You know absolutely nothing!” he mutters.
“This is her home,” I roar. “You have no right—”
“What does that tell you, Michael? She’swelcomedme here. I have every right.”
“You are testing my patience, demon!” I hiss, spitting up on his face. “Now get the fuck out of here before she walks out that door, or I swear…!” My angelic sword materializes in my grip. The scabbard and handle are golden, with intricate engravings. Its blade is of flawless silver and gleams as I wield it close to Richard’s face. “I will break every rule in the book and make it worth my while!”
Trembling under my wrathful presence, he evaporates into nothingness.
“I’m ready now,” she says, unaware of what just took place.
The corners of my mouth tug up, and the scowl I was wearing melts away as soon as I see her. I nod, a small “Sounds good,” escaping my lips before I bent down to pick up the kodi’s treats. With one hand, I hold them out to him, letting him take his time before he greedily gobbles them up.
She crouches down and clicks her tongue. “Come here, Kodi,” she coos.
I smile, admiring the name. “You named him Kodi?”
She shrugs. “It just felt right.”
“It does feel right,” I mumble.You, me… and Kodi.
She kneels beside him and scoops him up into her arms. “Okay. Let’s go,” she says, half-turning, so I catch sight of the angry red marks on the side of her neck.
“Wait up.” I step closer, my stomach tightening as I slowly move the strands of her blonde hair away from her neck. Undiluted rage washes through me as I spot the unmistakable outline of four fingers etched onto her skin in an angry purple and blue bruise.
She swallows hard, her eyes glistening from the tears that threaten to spill from her eyes. She cannot help but conjure up the memories of whatever transpired that continue to haunt her.
“Who did this?” I whisper in a strained voice, despite the rage that is surging through my body. “Was it Richard?” My free hand clenches tight, fingernails digging into my palm.
She closes her eyes for a moment, her bottom lip trembling before a single tear runs fast down her cheek.
“Jack?” I whisper, my throat stiff with anxiety. My heart beats in my chest like a drumroll, racing in anticipation of her answer.
When she finally gives me the slightest of nods, an inferno of anger and desire for justice burns within me. My hands clench into fists so tight my knuckles turn white and I feel my body tremble with the force of my repressed rage.
I take a deep breath, willing myself to control the tide of emotion that threatens to overwhelm me.
My fingertips slowly graze her skin, tracing gentle patterns over her bruises, silently healing them. My teeth grind together as I tell her, “He won’t get away with this. I swear it.”
Her eyes search mine, barely an inch apart, and I feel my breath catch in my throat. The pull between us is undeniable, but I fight the urge to lean in and kiss her. I must tell her the truth before we can go any further.
