Secrets (Crave: 3) (FINISHED)

14 - Sweepy

It was late when Elijah walked back into Max's now-dark house, and he closed the front door behind him.

After pushing the knife he used to unlock the door in his pocket, he glanced around.

Jesus, the house was already dark?

It was only one in the morning, Max and Ember were already asleep?

Gamer, my ass.

Elijah smiled at the thought.

He looked around the dark entryway more, and then his eyes landed on the couch.

His expression softened.

He stepped over to the couch, kneeling down beside the small form curled under blankets, breathing softly.

He brushed Luna's hair away from her face. "Hey."

She moaned softly, and her lashes parted.

Her eyes locked on his, and she stared at him for a moment.

But she smiled lazily, lightly cupping his cheek. "Lijah...."

"Sleepy?" he asked her.

She let out a soft yawn. "Yeah... I was scared, so Max did the spell on me so I slept."

Elijah watched her as she shuffled a little more under the blankets.

"He's gone, Luna," he said then.

Her lashes parted, and she blinked lazily. "Really?"

He nodded.

"For real this time...?" she asked him.

Elijah smirked and nodded forward.

She sat up a little, and he got on the couch next to her.

Luna just rested her head on his shoulder, curling up at his side.

Elijah adjusted the blanket more over her. "Yes, for real this time."

"How do you know...?" she wondered.

He set his head on hers. "Because I burned him alive."

She just gazed up at him suspiciously. "Elijah went serial killer on him, didn't he?"

He gave her a knowing smile.

Luna just sighed and set her head back on his shoulder.

"You're safe," Elijah said then. "I swear on it."

She smiled a little and played with his fingers. "Okay."

Elijah's lashes lowered.

She didn't believe him; he could feel it in her stance.

But she was. She was safe.

Elijah just shuffled a little backward, lying on the couch as he brought Luna with him.

She let out a small yip, but finally gave into him, snuggling with his form.

He pulled the blanket back over her.

"Go back to sleep," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry for waking you."

He knew that Max's spell was still on her because she was still loopy and tired.

Luna just smiled and relaxed with his form, lashes fluttering shut.

Elijah tipped his head back on the couch, shutting his eyes.

A weight lifted from his chest... a strong, heavy weight, and he felt free; like he was just released from an imprisonment of guilt and fear.

And he felt safe enough now... safe enough to close his eyes and fall asleep with her, knowing she'd still be in his arms when he woke up.

She was safe now.

He let the sweet relief fill him.

Nothing would hurt her again.