Melt - Rique and Miranda (Complete)

19 - Red Doors & Black Sheets

A/N - Trigger Warning. This chapter digs into Luis's past.

Miranda

My magic wakes me up like a yowling, spitting cat. I bolt upright with a wordless cry, only to be pinned down by a snarling, growling body. It takes a moment for both of us to recognize the other.

"Luis?" I gasp out.

"Lo siento, bella," Luis apologizes quickly and moves off of me. His hands gently skim my body soothingly. It makes my magic flare, but the heat dies out quickly as Luis and I look around the darkened bedroom helplessly.

Gods. I was magic-drunk for what felt like days. My magic hums just under my skin, powerful and steady. I've never felt it so keenly before unless I was casting. I've never felt so powerful.

And right now? I'm also stone-cold sober.

"Luis," I snap. "Where are they, Luis?" I ask him.

His dark eyes, just like his brother's, but sadder, meet mine. "I don't know, bella." He swallows, "but I would guess in México?"

My magic goes flat just like a day-old open bottle of Coke. "Without us," I say, my voice just as stale.

"Nico too?" he mumbles to himself. His shoulders curl up a bit. His eyes, always so hurt, darken even more.

"They're trying to protect us," I scoff.

"I don't need protection," Luis spits suddenly. "I'm not some weak slut bruja fucking dogs for power, ey?"

I recoil as if he slapped me right before my anger blasts through my senses. I turn and punch Luis right in the dick. He howls, falling over and rolling right off of the bed and onto the floor. My magic hisses and spits just like an angry cat as I fall on top of him, smacking him around the head and shoulders.

"Basta, Mira!" he hollers.

I sit up on him, one hand wrapped around his throat, the other clenched in his hair. His warm palms wrap around my wrist, his eyes open wide while I sneer down at him. "I'm a witch, Luis. And you are in my harem. You are, presumably, one of those so-called dogs you speak of."

He rolls me right over, pinning me under him, as he laughs, anger forgotten just as swiftly as it came. "I'm sorry, Bella! It was uncalled for." Luis starts to layer soft, quick kisses all over my face. "Sorry, Bella," he croons, again and again.

"Get off, you complete ass!" I snap. "I'm not weak or a s-s-" To my utter embarrassment, my voice chokes off with tears.

"Don't cry. I'm an ass," Luis begs, his smile falling. His dark brown eyes staring down at me start swimming with tears, too. "Please, Bella. You're not a slut. You're perfecto, sí? It's me. I have the problems. You know that." He nuzzles my cheek, desperation leaking from his pores. The third emotion he's felt in a matter of minutes, my poor baby wolf.

"Your trauma is a reason, not an excuse, Luis!" I tell him softly. All of the lessons of the LaNus roll through me. "Your words have just as much power as a slap." He's not Rique, I remind myself. He's not as... steady. I have to be patient. This is the road I've suddenly found myself on and I need to make sure this young wolf stays the course.

"Sí, Bella," Luis agrees quietly.

"Gods, I'm sorry I hit you. I can't believe I was so violent." My magic makes a liar out of me as it boils and rolls like a storm on the sea. Having a harem for a day has turned my magic on high. What will happen after a week? A month? A year?