A Touch of Darkness

Chapter 31

"I need to see William, let him know I'm okay" 

Turning in Damien's arms, leaving no space in the dimly lit space beneath the floorboards.  His eyes falling, sadness and worry filling those beautiful orbs.

Leaning my head against his chest.

"It'll be hard, you'll need to feed first" Mumbling softly, his bare skin matching my temperature.  Listening for a heart beat that I would never hear again.

"I don't know what to say to him.  He wont understand why I can't work"

His warm lips finding my forehead as I inhaled his sweet scent that left me wanting more.

"With time, and practice.  You'll be able to have a normal life.  But it'll hard at first.  But it won't be forever I promise"

Tugging my naked body to his. Tangling our legs.

"Nothing about us is normal" Smiling down at me.  Pushing myself onto his chest, taking in his Sincere, somber features.

"Normal is overrated" Dragging my lips across his. Groaning into my mouth, calloused hands finding my waist.

We stayed silent in each other's grip, I knew this was going to be hard for Damien.  Not being able to explain to William why he picked up and left suddenly.  Something in me told me that William would understand though.  At least to a degree.

When Damien and I finally finished feeding, we stood on the sidewalk across from the book shop.  Damien's tense hand clutching mine as we stood beneath the dull street light.  Flakes of snow falling over my face, sticking to my eyelashes as I watched William through the window.

His normal welcoming smile was replaced with deep creases, a frown glued on his thin wrinkled lips.  I could practically feel the worry coming off of him in waves even from far away.

"I don't know if I can go in there.  Being that close to him" Running his hand through his snowy hair.  

Snaking my arm around his waist, pulling him closer.  "I'll be there.  You won't hurt him" Tugging him into the street.  His legs slowing with every step,  his body shrinking into his jacket as we opened the door, the familiar bell ringing above us.

William looked up from organizing books on the shelf.  

"Damien!" Dropping the books from his aged hands, hurrying his slow legs toward us.

Smiling softly from Damien's side.  His body froze beside mine as William wrapped him in a tight hug.  I watched his throat bob. Hands slowly returning the hug.  His body visibly relaxing as his arms tightened around William.

"You scared me boy! When you called a week ago you hung up all of the sudden, what happened? Where you've been?" Gripping his arms, eyes shifting to mine.

Lighting up as he shifted his arms toward me.

Pulling me in his small but might grip.

"Sorry for stealing away.  He was helping me with some sudden family issues" Lying smoothly as Damien watched us.  Turning back my gaze to William.  "We had terrible service, forgive me" Bowing my head.

William's warm hand cupped my cheek.

"Of course my dear girl.  I'm just glad you both are alive and in one piece" Patting the side of face gently.

William took both our hands, pulling us to the closest table.  Damien sat closest to me.  His eyes staying down.

"So where did you guys go?" Sitting across from us.  Folding his arms in his worn plaid shirt.  Eyes serious as Damien looked back at each other.  Begging me to find an answer.

"One of my very close friends up state needed help.  She's very private and Damien offered to help me with her" Smiling softly as William nodded.

"Give an old man a warning next time" A hoarse chuckle shaking his head at us.  "I told you boy you'd like this one" Nodding his head in my direction.

Damien's soft smirk twitched at the corner of his lips.  Honey dipped eyes peaking down in my direction as I let out a deep sigh, hoping Damien would do the same.  

He caught on quickly, breathing.  Yet looked very unnatural as I fought not to laugh.

"Do you want to start working again tomorrow?!" William asked excitedly.

Damien shifted his gaze from me to William.

"Was hoping to-to maybe just work a couple nights?  Starting next week maybe?" Uneasiness flowing from his words, William noticing immediately.

"Of course.  I'll still see you at home though right?" William looking at me knowingly. 

Casting my eyes down, finding Damien's knee beneath the table. Squeezing it softly, his hand finding the top of mine.

"Victoria and I were actually thinking of moving in together" Swallowing hard.  "But I'll always visit-I"

"Well that was obvious" Cutting him off quickly.   "A little soon, but I just wanted to see you two squirm" Bursting into laughter. The crinkling in his eyes as his head fell back.  "You better keep coming in to buy your books.  Hated not having my regular"

Grinning from ear to ear. "Of course" Replying quickly.

William reached out his hand across the table.  "I knew the second you saw her, she'd have you wrapped around her finger" Damien inched his free hand to William as I watched him closely.

Whether he knew it or not, he would never hurt William.  Pride filled me as I watched his self control.  Pushing himself harder than any other vampire I knew.

"Can't argue with that" Damien sighed with a gentle chuckle.  His eye's darkening the slightest bit.  His hand beneath the table pulling mine to his lips.  

William's eyes softening at the sight as Damien pecked my knuckles.  My cheeks heating up without any proof.