Chapter 15

“I’m home,” I called out softly into the darkness.

I released by tight grip on the axe and let it fall to the floor with a clatter, hoping it would get Elijah’s attention, or at the very least, give me an idea of where he could possibly be hiding.

“Elijah?” I called out a little louder as I tugged at the plastic bag.

When he didn’t answer, I sighed and closed the door behind me, securing the lock in place, then made my way toward the bathroom.

I should wash up some.

I walked over to the next room and pushed the door open. Flipping the light switch on, I removed the bag and balanced it on the edge of the sink.

The water came out in a cold rush. I quickly spun the hot water on, then waited for a few seconds before I ran a hand beneath the torrent. Satisfied it had reached the temperature I wanted, I nodded.

Leaning down, I began to gently splash warm water against my face. I knew it would take a good scrubbing to get the blood off, but that could wait until the morning.

I had to look like I had gone into battle so he would be okay... for now.

Reaching blindly for one of the small hand towels nearby, I startled when my fingers grazed something firm instead.

I used my forearms to dry my face as best as I could, then opened one eye and tried my damndest to see what it was.

The gentle caress against my wet cheek made me sigh happily. I let my body fall against his, rested my forehead against the center of his chest, and smiled slightly when he wrapped his arms around me.

It was him.

“I’m sorry about earlier, Aunt Mais,” he began nervously. “I don’t know what happened.”

“It’s okay. You never have to apologize,” I whispered.

Elijah gently placed a crooked finger under my chin and raised my face so he could look into my eyes.

“I promise I’ll figure out a way to control myself when things get hazy. I just don’t want you to be afraid of me, you know?”

He looked so lost, almost … scared.

Of what?

Was it because of how I looked?

“Just … don’t leave, okay?”

It was my turn to reach up and take his face in my hands.

“Never,” I promised him softly before I pushed myself up on the tips of my toes and gently kissed his lips.

I knew it was clumsy, and probably not what he had been hoping for, but I didn’t care.

I wanted to ensure he knew that I would never leave his side, and this was the only way I knew how.

When I pulled away from him, he grinned down at me as his cheeks blushed cherry-red.

“I got you something. I don’t know if you’ll need it now, though,” I said shyly as I pulled away from Elijah and turned to reach for the bag.

He arched an eyebrow, his grin turning into a curious smile as he took the gift from me and settled against the wall.

A quick glance down told me that he wasn’t wearing his prosthesis, which I was happy about.

I didn’t care for the damn thing.

Elijah Young was more perfect without it.

“What is it?” he asked with a nervous laugh as he began to pull at the bloody plastic bow I had managed to tie before I left.

With a shrug, I hopped up onto the sink and began to lazily swing my legs back and forth.

“I’d like to think it’s the reason you feel better now,” I confessed quietly.

Elijah chuckled as he ripped the bow and pulled the top of the bag off with it. I began to feel nervous, unsure if he would like his present or not, but when he let out a low whistle, then leaned over and nudged me, I knew it would be okay.

“Where’d you get this?” he inquired as he reached in to remove it from the bag.

“It was a monster,” I answered softly. “And it can’t hurt you anymore. None of them can, Elijah. I won’t let them.”

He let out a gentle sigh as he carefully placed the heart back into the bag, then set it on the hamper on the other side of him.

Moving carefully, Elijah settled in front of me as he placed a hand on either side of the sink, and looked soulfully into my eyes.

I instantly felt shy.

He had never looked at me this way before, and it sent a quick shiver through my body.

“Who needs a knight in shining armor when they can have someone like you?” he stated in a soft tone.

I stopped kicking my legs, lowered my eyes, and tucked them under the sink. I couldn’t figure out why I suddenly felt so nervous about being this close to Elijah, but as I stole a glance up at him, I had to swallow a sigh.

He was peering over his shoulder into the darkened rooms behind us.

No matter how hard I tried, I hadn’t been able to quiet them.

They were still there, lurking in the darkness, whispering to him, making him believe he was seeing things that no one else could.

Even if he wouldn’t admit it, I knew he felt it.

I had failed him again.

And I couldn’t afford to any longer.