Page 18 of Rescued By the Beast
"That's none of our business," he cuts her off sharply.
"But you..."
"Enough, get out of here!" Luther's command explodes in the air, his voice like thunder. The woman takes two steps back, her eyes wide.
My eyes widen too, and I feel an urge to back away, but something keeps me there, motionless, watching as the colour drains from her face. Then, with one last glance in my direction, she turns and disappears into the darkness, leaving silence to spread throughout the room.
When Luther returns to me, his irises shine like silver flames, cold and relentless. It's the first time I've seen them like this, the first time I've witnessed his power, reflected in the intensity of his gaze.
"Come with me, Sandra."
I shake my head, trying to ward off the pain in my temples, the bad feeling running down my spine, and the dizziness. My body is exhausted, and my mind is a chaotic storm of thoughts.
I just need to be alone. I need to lock myself in my flat, throw myself on the bed and let the world outside disappear for a while. Tomorrow, things will get better. At least the rent will be paid, and that will be some relief.
But there's still the incident with the witch... and Luther.
Luther, who has done so much for me, who lent me money and continues to give me lifts, even though he lives on the other side of town. I can't accept any more. I can't allow myself to become even more vulnerable.
"I'd rather be alone," I whisper. "You'd better leave."
Luther holds my shoulders, his eyes fixed on mine, as if searching for something I cannot offer.
“Are you sure? I sleep in the living room, I was just joking about sharing the bed, you know that, right?”
I look away from you and nod my head.
"My life is a mess, I need to deal with it on my own."
"Why won't you let yourself accept help?"
I shrug.
"When you finally open your heart..." He murmurs, his voice soft, almost enigmatic. "Everything will fall into place, Sandra. You'll see."
Thunder rumbles, and lightning splits the sky, illuminating everything around us. My body shudders, as if every fibre of my skin feels the impact.
The headache throbs fiercely, unbearably, and my face contorts before I realise it.
"Luther..." My voice comes out broken as I take a step back. "It's going to rain, I'd better go inside."
He watches me for a moment, something sombre and resigned passing through his eyes, which sparkle silver before returning to their usual blue. Then he relaxes his shoulders and lets out a sigh.
"Wait for me tomorrow," he asks, turning his attention to the street. "Don't go out alone. It's dangerous out here."
As if the universe had heard him, another bolt of lightning tears through the dark sky.
I don't answer, I just hurry into the building. The chill and dizziness still plague me, a strange sensation that runs through my muscles and seeps into my bones, as if the electric discharge from the lightning had crossed the air and struck me directly, leaving an invisible mark.
The burning sensation spreads under my skin, a disconcerting mixture of heat and chills that makes me sweat,despite the low temperature. I feel the urgent need to open the window a little, letting the cold wind in, hoping it will bring some relief.
With that, I head to the kitchen, determined to drink some milk, hoping it will ease the emptiness in my stomach. I open the fridge, but the shaking gets worse by the second, and my unsteady hands cannot follow my commands. In the next instant, the jug slips from my fingers, shattering on the floor. The milk spreads quickly across the floor, forming a white pool, a perfect reflection of the mess I feel inside.
"No!" I cry out, my voice breaking, desperate.
I quickly bend down, tears streaming down my face as I try, unsuccessfully, to save what's left of the milk.
The only thing I have to appease my hunger.
