A Touch of Darkness

Chapter 10

I woke quickly.  My internal clock knowing it was night. My nose inhaling the air as I jumped out of the hatch.

I couldn't smell Claude.  He wasn't here.

Moving to the bed I sat down on the edge balling my fists into my eyes.  I was so stupid! How could I be so reckless last night?! I could have been seen!  

Claude brings out my worst, the reckless part of me.  The part of me I worked so hard to control.  But one night with him in a club and I lose my senses.  

I needed to find Damien.

Once dressed I bolted outside into the street.  Smelling the air deeply to catch even the smallest wiff of Claude.  But I smelled nothing.  I reached the book shop quickly, inhaling deeply as I stepped in.

"Hey missy! Haven't seen your face recently" William called with a friendly voice.

Shoving my hands in my oversized grey hoodie. "Sorry, been busy" Giving an apologetic smile.

"Don't be sorry, good to know you've got a life outside of this old shop.  We have a new shipment of books over in the back corner if you want to check them out" Gesturing with a finger.

My eyes searched for Damien but I couldn't sense him.  Maybe he's home.

"He'll went to grab dinner. He'll be back soon" William wrinkled smile caught me searching.

"I don't know what you're talking about William" Smirking as I moved toward the books, gliding my fingers over them.  Inhaling the calming scent of the old paper.

"Sure" He laughed.

Grabbing a copy Pride and Prejudice.  And taking it to my favorite chair.  But I could only read a few pages before hearing the bell above the door ring, catching his scent before seeing him.

"Got us some pizza, sorry it took so long grandpa"

I watched from Damien flip the sign 'Closed for dinner' on the door before hearing it lock.

I stood up slowly, shrinking into my hoodie.

"Go get some extra plates boy, we have a guest" William ordered.

Damien's head spun in my direction as our eyes met, I couldn't read his expression.  Was he mad? Confused? Hurt?

He nodded once in my direction before placing the box of pizza down glancing back at me as he slid into the back room.  Following him quickly, staying out of William's vison.

A pair of warm hands pulled me from behind the corner.

"What happened last night? Who was that? Are you okay?!" Rattling off questions as his hands held my shoulders, looking me up and down.

Guilt filled me as I stared at our feet.

"What is it?" He urged.

My lip quivered as I looked up to his amber eyes.  He was mad, or hurt.  He was worried about me! That only made me feel guiltier.

"I can explain later" Mumbling softly.

His hands let go of me cautiously as he grabbed some plates from behind him.  I followed him out closely.

We all sat the small table beside the window.  My eyes stayed watchful as the ate, feeling Damien's intense stare on my face.

"Odd that you both were gone the same days" William commented in between bites. I fought a smirk as I caught Damien's face turning red as he choked on a bite of pizza, taking a big swallow of water.