Page 23 of Lunar Desires
Not now...
“How badly are you hurt?” I asked Drake.
“Don’t worry about me. Let’s get out of here first.”
We were almost at the bottom of the stairs now. “But Iamworried about you.”
“Don’t be. I’m alright. And I’ll feel a lot better once you’re back home.”
I took a sniff of his sweat-laced minty scent. So thankful for him, so torn up by this damn mess.
Because of him.
We stepped into a circle of orange light at the bottom of the stairs. A tunnel stretched before me, more orange lights flickering to life and lining the route. Five clusters of Hecate Crystals grew in the curved ceiling and on the ground, shimmering white, constantly generating magic.
After a short walk, we reached a junction of three tunnels, one of them leading to a dead end with one solitary Hecate Crystal sticking out of the wall.
There were black signs at each tunnel entry point.
“Here.” He pointed to a sign on the left tunnel.
A hand of joy
A ringing song.
It is three.
Uh-huh. Not confusing at all. “What does that mean?”
He touched the wound on his forehead, wincing.
“Is it a deep cut?” I asked.
“No.” He walked too wobbly and the gouge looked nasty.
“Want to rest for a bit?”
“It’s a code for the convenience store,” he replied, changing the subject.
I cocked a brow. “Okay. I really think you should take a moment.”
He pulled off his black jacket, his black muscle tee following.
A magnificent plane of copper skin revealed itself, wrapped around his tight, muscular upper body. The weak light caught the details of the phoenix tattoo on his back, making the orange flames dance.
Wow.
I tugged on my collar, licking my lips. God, what a feast for the eyes.
“Can you hold this please?” He held out his jacket.
“Sure.” I took it, my hand brushing his, delicious sparks kissing my skin.
He turned his back on me. There were cuts all over his skin, and hints of bruising blooming around his spine. I wanted to reach out and touch them, to kiss each one better, wishing I possessed my brother’s healing power.
Drake tore his tee, spinning it into a sausage shape. He then wrapped it around his head, making sure to cover the wound. After tying it off at the back of his head, he took his jacket back, slipped it on, and zipped it up.
“Until we get some proper help,” he said, swaying a little.
