The Archer (18+)

XVIII

There he was- in his monstrous glory atop the stairwell, flanked by two men. His long hair was slicked back in a bun and his beard neatly trimmed. He had one strong hand stuffed within his pants pocket whilst another slowly swished a glass of dark amber liquid.

His hard gaze was fixated on me and I had the strongest urge to push myself away from Jackson.

"What's wrong?" He noticed my changed mood.

"Was it something I said?"

I cleared my throat wildly, still not looking away from the looming man.

"No. I just- I think I need to go to the bathroom." I snapped my head in Jackson's direction.

Jackson stopped swaying us immediately, "Oh, yea sure." He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck as I tore myself away from him.

I looked around the dancefloor and spotted a lone female in a dark green dress. I tapped her on the shoulder and she swiveled in my direction. Her face was shrouded in shadows,"Excuse me, do you know where the restroom is?"

"I'm not quite sure. I think down that hallway after your first left."

I squinted at her voice.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" I tried to associate her voice with a familiar face. I came up blank.

"Do you?" She backed away into the crowd of people as I caught a glimpse of red hair.

Maybe I was seeing things.

I almost stumbled following her but as soon as I passed through the same space, she was nowhere to be found. I looked around frantically for a trace of the dark green dress but in the near-crowded space, everything was forms of black.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jackson grabbed both my arms and shook me slightly.

"Oh yea... yea. I'm good." I answered automatically.

"Where was I going again?" I asked in a daze, wondering how could someone slip away so fast. Her suspicious behaviour only piqued my interest. There's absolutely no way Rhed could be here.

"Bathroom."

"Oh, yeah. Yea. I'll see you in a moment."

I gambled in the direction as per the girl's instructions not fully sure of where the restroom was. When I rounded the corner, I was pulled forcefully back by someone. I didn't have enough time to gather my wits as I was pushed into a dark room.

I knew that scent anywhere. My skin prickled and a violent shiver wracked my body.

Fila.

I was not usually a giddy headed person, but this man made me so. I felt drunk. Like I was floating.

As soon as the door slammed shut, I squeaked in surprise. It was pitch black then. I couldn't see him, but I knew he was there watching me. Waiting for me to move so he could strike.

Fila grasped my waist and walked forward, compelling me to match with one step back. I soon felt the hard surface of a wall on my spine.

"I-"

"Shh." He interjected. One large palm languidly blazed a path from my waist up to my neck.

He skimmed the soft flesh with his fingertips for a second. "You look so fucking sexy."

I bit my lips to not moan aloud.

Jesús Cristo. What's happening?

His rough beard muzzled my neck and he groaned deeply. A sly tongue flickered out and met with my skin. I jumped in surprise, but he caged me from moving, "Be still."