In and out.
A steady rhythm that doesn’t falter when I lie down beside him. When my fingers trace the gnarled branches erupting over his flesh, the slight pressure of my body molding itself to his.
I wrap myself around him, stealing the warmth from his soul as though I would dare to call it my own. Christopher remains silent and still, his peaceful form unaware that his light is bleeding out.
Draining from one vessel to feed another.
Tucking my head beneath the crook of his arm, I press my face to his skin and inhale. Breathe in his goodness, his kindness and his charm until all I can feel are the empty pieces rattling around inside.
The wet print of Ronan’s nose hits my back, a gentle nudge to let me know someone is standing guard tonight. A reassurance that helps to lighten my mind until I feel safe enough to let go.
“Don’t let them get me.”
The phrase I whisper to Ronan each night gets lost in the warm body beside me. Torn from its rightful owner, the responding growl doesn’t sound like the one I’m used to.
“You’re safe, darling.”
An accent tinges the words, the heavy weight of Christopher’s arms wrapping me up in the world’s warmest blanket. Chills recede as sleep weighs me down, melting my restraints until there’s nothing but his body heat washing over me.
“I promise.”
Chapter 38
CHRISTOPHER
I wake up to the sound of whining.
Jolting up, sheets tumble down my body as I whirl around. Foreign shapes and daunting shadows stare back at me, the silhouette of an unfamiliar bedroom putting me on guard.
“Holy shit.” Gulping down a breathe, I look at the dog scratching at the door, “Give me a warning next time, yeah?”
Ronan whines again, his head knocking against the door.
Unsettled, I ignore the beast and force myself to lie back down.
“Darling, you need to train your… Calista?”
Reaching over to the spot beside me, I find an empty duvet. Flattening beneath my hand, I find a cold mattress with no indent in sight.
Don’t let them get me.
Panic takes hold and I rip the sheets off the bed, frantically searching for the blonde who fell asleep beside me.
“Calista, this isn’t funny.”
The echo of Ronan’s whine follows me into the bathroom, the sound of his distress matching my racing heart.
“Come out right now.”
I’m running, racing from her empty bathroom to her walk-in closet, shoving clothes aside and looking for a hiding spot she could be in.
“If this is another test…fuck!”
A yelp of pain escapes me when I hit the jagged corner of a frame. Blood spurts from the cut and trickles into my palm, smearing across my skin in warning.
Dread leaks into my gut as I take in the shape of a door. Small and blunt in nature, it peeks out between the hangers holding Calista’s clothes.
Pushing leather pants aside, I squat down and pry my nails beneath the frame. Pick and peel until I can push the door open and look inside.
