Page 30 of Little Wing
Lotus remained quiet until we made it outside. The crisp air felt like a sting against my skin after being inside the stuffy club, allowing me to focus on the hum of Lotus’ heart without any distraction. She looked even more beautiful out of the filter of the red and purple lights frominside, but something didn’t feel right. I focused on the scent of her skin—bergamot and rose—as I longed to wrap my arms around her. Her silence wasn’t uncommon, but it was the way she looked behind us that concerned me.
“What’s going on?” I finally asked, but she tugged at my sleeve. “Did something happen?”
“I just need to go back home, Silas.”
“Can I at least walk you home?” Panic rose in my throat. What the fuck happened in the time she was away from me? I swear if anyone laid a hand on her, I’d tear the club apart. My fists clenched tightly at my sides.
The woman before me shrunk into herself. The face of confidence she wore just a few hours ago was hidden behind layers of makeup once again. My beautiful flower no closer to blooming once again. I uncurled my fists and gently tipped her head up with my hand under her chin. Not even her contacts could hide the tears that threatened to stream down her delicate face. “Lotus?”
“It’s okay; I’m okay. I just need to get ready for work.”
Lies… such blatant lies.
“I’ll call you a ride then, okay? Please let me at least make sure you get home safe.”
“Okay.”
While we waited, I looked down to see her still holding onto the bottom of my shirt. Perhaps a silent assurance that this was just all too much, too soon. I didn’t fault her. If she needed space, I’d gladly give it, but only if it meant we would see each other again. When the car arrived, I opened the door for her to get in. Before she took her place in the backseat, she turned and touched my cheek.
“Lo?”
“You are doing something incredible for our people. I am so grateful that you have included me in this.” There was no chance for me to respond as her lips pressed lightly against mine. Before I could even react and pull her closer, Lotus was in the car and on her way back home.
Whatever happened back there, I knew that I never wanted to let it happen again. Watching her leave with tears welled in her eyes and me unable to do anything about it was a punch in the gut.
“I’ve seen him downtown. Black hair, red eyes—”
“They should have burned him when they had the chance.”
“I heard his twin was hiding him in an abandoned house outside Seattle.”
“Watch out. Luca Everett, our very own devil, is in town.”
I barely made it five steps inside my apartment before rushing to the sink in my kitchen to throw up black bile. My body shuddered and my ears rang. The name echoed like a curse that buried itself in my bones.
I slid down the side of the cabinet and sat with my knees pressed against my chest. I had to get it together and soon, and I could not do that around Silas. Washroom gossip was a common experience though it typically included women boosting each other’s confidence rather than advertising that my brother was sighted not far from Fairhaven.
I’ve heard the rumors over the last hundred years, but never simultaneously with the feeling of my heart aching. The weight in my chest clenched at the thought of its maker, my brother, anywhere in my vicinity. I could try to hide. I could try to coat my scent, but like would always call to like. A maker seeking its spawn with a deeper connection. One with true familial ties.
He would always find me. It would only be a matter of time.
When the nausea receded, I reached into my purse to pull out my phone to find two messages from Silas. Despite the dreadful weight of my brother’s potential presence, I found myself managing to smile as I read his messages. Silas made me want to strip down to my bare skin, not for the heat that grew in my core when he touched me, but because I wanted him to see me, all of me. I was just so tired of hiding.
I hope you made it home safe.
In case I didn't mention it this evening—you looked beautiful. I won't forget the look on your face when your naked eyes met mine.
His message lit up my dark apartment. I didn’t even bother turning the lights on when I rushed inside. Without a second thought, my finger tapped on his name, dialing his number. It didn’t feel right sending back a text when I felt awful about having to leave early. At the very least, I could leave him a voicemail to listen to once he returned home. Obviously, I didn’t think he’d step away to take a call in the middle of a celebration with his family and colleagues. As I prepared to hear the automated message, I was startled to hear a click and a breath on the other line.
“Hello?”
“H-Hello?” Not even a full ring sounded before I heard Silas on the other end. There was no muffled chatter or bass from the sound system at the bar in the background. It was just silence and… Silas.
“I didn’t think you’d pick up,” I whispered, trying to collect my thoughts. Talking to him live was not the plan. If I had the chance to leave a voicemail, then I could have scrapped the recording and started over until I was satisfied. Now, I had to wing it. My thoughts were racing, bouncing around my skull until they stilled as he spoke again.
“Everything okay?” Silas asked, his voice gentle and not mocking at all.
“I was going to leave you a message.”
