10. Elijah

My home is located outside of Blackwood, surrounded by thick woods for privacy. My dad, who still doesn’t get why I haven’t come back to Colorado yet, comes from money, therefore, I come from money. I’ve not returned because I know I will end up there soon enough. This is my last taste of absolute freedom before then.

My place isn’t anything massive. A three thousand square feet, single-story bungalow on four acres of land is a fortress with a state-of-the-art security system throughout the property, inside and out. If any motherfucker tries to come up uninvited, they won’t be around to tell the tale of what happened. The town knows not to bother me; they know what I do for The Chapel and the last time a cop got involved, his name was given next. That shit was not a coincidence.

It was that moment when I truly knew my stepfather was full of absolute shit, along with his delusional followers. Anything to justify what they do. I collected the names regardless, and on La Notte del Diavolo, devil’s night, I killed them.

Killing doesn’t bother me along with most things in life. I have been told my emotions aren’t human, or the lack thereof. I know what I want and what I like, and I will do anything to get to it once I have my mind set. Some say it is hyper-fixation, I call it passion and determination. And that is what Rain is. My passion and determination. And now I have her. She is home. She is fucking mine.

We haven’t spoken since getting here. Once arriving, I lead her to my bathroom, where I leave her to shower and change. I stay in the bedroom, on the floor with my back against the closed bedroom door, unable to leave her side. She comes out of the bathroom in a pair of my sweats and a sweater, which are baggy and hanging on her petite frame. Rain’s dark hair is still damp, with her eyes puffy and face blotchy. My eyes examine her, trying to sort out what is wrong. Rain’s eyes glisten as she looks back at me, but they also seem vacant. Why is she sad? She’s home. I rack my brain trying to figure out what is happening. The only conclusion I have is that I dont like when she’s feeling this way.

No words are spoken even then.

Instead, she makes the first move, walking over to the bed and gets herself under the covers. Within minutes, her breathing is heavier.

Rain is still asleep, and I haven’t left this spot in the room since. Listening to her inhale and exhale is relaxing. Her presence soothes me. I noticed that when I sat in the bar she worked at. It’s something I haven’t felt before, peace.

Looking at my phone, it’s been nearly eight hours. The sun has risen, and some of it tries to creep through the blinds to light the room. I’m not tired, I could sit here forever, listening to her and protecting her.

The bedsheets move, catching my attention. Rain’s tired voice follows, “How long have you been sitting there?”

“Since you went for your shower.”

She doesn’t respond right away. Moments have passed before her next words come out, “Why?”

“It’s my job to protect you, to make sure you’re always safe.” I respond, confused by her question. How could she not understand that mine means mine in all ways, and I take care of what is mine.

Rain sits up to look at me, her hair is disheveled, but her face looks rested, “Then it’s my job to take care of you. You need your rest too if you are going to be my savior.”

An uncomfortable feeling erupts in my chest. It’s nothing I have felt before, and I’m not sure what it means. But not a day in my life has anyone taken care of me, or even wanted to. My parents were always in their own worlds. My dad was always busy with work, gone for days at a time. He loved me and still does, but our relationship isn’t typical. My mother on the other hand, resented my dad and used alcohol, pills and other men’s dicks to fill that void. Which is how we ended up here.

And now I have Rain, and she wants to take care of me?

She pats the spot on the bed next to her, “Come on. You need to sleep.”

Nodding, I stand up and toe my boots off. I check the bedroom door once more, making sure it’s still locked. I am not paranoid, I am smart. I just pissed off a lot of fucking people by taking her and challenging Master.

Walking over to the bed, I drop my bat to the ground. It crashes against the hardwood and rolls slightly. Getting in under the covers, Rain lowers herself back down to her pillow. Her hands are under her head, and she is rolled over facing me, as I face her. We don’t speak, our eyes take each other in, examining each eyelash and freckle.

“Why do you want to take care of me?” I need to understand, because I don’t get it.

Her lashes brush against her pale skin with each blink. “I feel you before I even see you. It’s a connection you protect, you hold on to and take care of. I barely know you, but I need you. I feel safe with you. I knew you were coming to help me.” She explains.

“I killed your mom. And I don’t feel bad about it. I never feel bad about it. None of them mattered.”

Her eyes squeeze shut, and tiny lines form around them as a faint whisper leaves her parted lips, “I know.” A couple tears stream down her cheeks as she continues, “I felt you then. I knew you were there, but I wasn’t sure where. The worst thing to ever happen to me was that night, losing my mom and knowing now you were responsible for it. Logic is screaming at me to run. My mom is whispering to me to stay. She is telling me my gut isn’t wrong. They used you to do their bidding, the coward couldn’t even kill her himself. His Dark One didn’t give her name. She is the most selfless person. He wanted her gone. But then you came back. You saved me. You won’t hurt me. I know you wouldn’t.”

My expression remains unchanged as I try to absorb what she is telling me.

“I don’t care that they use me. I like it, hurting and killing people. But I also know your father is full of shit. I’ve known for years. His day is coming, and the timeline has moved up. But you are right on one thing, I would never fucking hurt you on purpose. Unless it was during sex.”

My last addition makes her giggle. I like seeing her like this, even if sadness is still in her eyes.

“Whats your last name?” She asks.

“Sinclair.”

Nodding her head. “I’m going back to sleep. Now close your eyes,” Rain instructs. Oh silly little bat, trying to boss me around, I will let it slide this one time.

Then she catches me off guard, leaning forward, her lips brush against mine. My hand reaches up and grips the back of her head as I deepen the kiss, and my tongue brushes against hers as electricity ignites inside of me. This girl makes me fucking feral, I want to devour her. But not yet. She needs her rest. I let go of her and kiss her once more before pulling back. She doesn’t move, her eyes remain closed and her breathing becomes heavier. Her eyes open slowly as her hand touches my face, her thumb rubs against my bottom lip a couple times before she pulls away, lays her head back down and closes her eyes. My heart could very well jump out of my chest at any moment. The need to possess her and keep her has only grown. She can never leave now.

Once I am sure she is asleep, I whisper, “Take care of my soul, it’s yours now.”