The memory of being pulled under, coveted by the vines...
The memories had been so peaceful, I’d forgotten about anything else. Because in the forest, I had all the answers. Everything was mine.
I still wasn’t sure about a lot of things, but I knew I couldn’t leave Bane alone in the state he was in.
I felt invigorated with life, energy radiating through me like rays of sunshine.
The strangest memory filled my thoughts, of a bat I’d found in my bedroom when I was only eight. My parents and I had returned from holiday, and though there were no other animals or signs of disturbance, somehow, some way a bat had gotten into my room.
And it had gotten injured, for it lay on the floor, struggling to get its wings up, breathing heavily.
I’d known then exactly what to do, and I hadn’t thought twice about picking him up, despite the dangers.
He’d fought my touch, jumping away from me at first as he squeaked in peril, terrified I was going to hurt him. I half worried my parents would hear, and really hurt him. Surely it was dangerous to be around a wild bat. They could infect me, bite me. But somehow, I knew this little bat, despite his outward shrieks and protests, would not hurt me.
He needed my help, and I could not turn away from his struggle.
“It’s okay, I’ll help you,” I said, knowing full well the little thing couldn’t understand a word I’d said.
But I hoped he could feel my energy, that I wasn’t a threat.
I scooped him up, and he let me. His tiny breaths were labored, and I knew he wasn’t long for the world, if I didn’t step in.
I’d never told my parents about the bat, or how I’d held him, stroking his leathery wings as I prayed for him, as I hummed sweet lullabies to him. I watched as his breaths started to even out, my palms warming from his soft furry body snuggled against my palm.
I prayed that he would grow bigger and stronger, that he would fly to the highest heights, and live a long and prosperous bat life. My magic had always been fickle, and in my brain I knew it was a long shot.
But it worked.
Somehow, some way, I’d healed his broken wing, and I’d saved him.
I let him go that night, freeing him outside my window, and I never told a soul about him, and I’d never been able to focus my magic like that again. But as I looked at Bane, I couldn’t help but think of that tiny bat who fought me so hard, whoneeded me.
Just like I know he needs me now.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” he said, lowering his gaze.
I pulled his wings apart easily, taking stock of him.
Shirtless, his knees pulled up in front of him.
My insides swirled as I looked at him, my body instantly heating.
“Is that what you think? That I don’t know what you are? What you need?” I said as I scooted closer to him, pulling his knees apart. His gaze held mine, the fear in his eyes evident.
“I didn’t say that,” he said, gritting his teeth.
I moved closer, feeling that same magnetism, that same heat blossoming in my core, and I knew just like I did when I was young, that this was dangerous.
Bane was a gancanagh, and lust was what he fed on.
He’d done a good job of keeping his distance thus far, but I knew he was in serious need of repair.
I couldn’t deny that I felt something for him the moment I’d laid eyes on him, when I’d crashed into him, or when I’d seen him for the first time since that crash, earlier today.
But there was a difference in the energy that filled me then, and the energy that fills me now.
For starters, that heat, that deep-rootedlustthat filled me when I was in his presence before was nothing compared to theneedI felt where I sat only inches away from him.
