Out of the Ashes

Chapter 19

Narrator-

Miranda felt the push even before Asher performed the movement. He lifted his hands, causing Miranda's grip to slip off his shoulder blades, and with his palms, he applied a quick yet strong shoving pressure on the balls of her shoulders, forcing her to stumble backwards.

Miranda's feet ran away until the momentum had run out. She looked at Asher with hurt, teary eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Asher demanded, his tone telling Miranda that the rejection she earned at his hands was her own fault.

"I just needed a hug." Miranda admitted.

"And I told you not to bother trying to start anything with me. I don't care about you, can't you see that?" Asher bit without a care.

He scoffed and retrieved a shirt from his dresser.

"So then why am I here Asher? If you don't care, why am I here?" Miranda asked while opening her arms.

The ghost stood in the corner with her arms crossed. She looked at Asher and shook her head in disappointment.

Asher slipped on the shirt and looked at Miranda, "It's my duty to protect you. I will do that, and once it's safe, I'll let you go. Nowhere along that line do I plan to fall for you."

Miranda shook her head and threw her hands up, "Asher you're talking as if I know exactly what's going on." Then she pointed at her chest and shook her head, "But I don't."

"It's better that way." Asher admitted, then he retrieved a pair of fresh boxers and gym shorts.

"How? How is it better to not know why my life was suddenly turned upside down?" Miranda asked, while following Asher to the bathroom.

Asher slammed the door behind him, closing Miranda out.

Miranda turned sharply toward the ghost with tight fists.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" She asked the female spirit.

The ghost lifted her palm in sign of wait, just as Asher opened the door and answered, "No, I told you it's better if you don't know."

"That's not fair Asher." Miranda shook her head and sat on his bed.

"Life's not fair." Asher replied then grabbed Miranda's arm and pulled her off the bed, and shoving her toward the closet while saying, "this isn't your place."

"Asher stop it." The ghost boomed in a scolding manner, but of course, her plea only fell on Miranda's ears.

Miranda looked at Asher, her orbs filled with a fury. She looked deep into his orbs and frowned.

"What happened to you?" Miranda asked in honesty, but in Asher's ears, her words sounded condescending and pitiful.

"I don't need your pity human." Asher warned her while taking a determined step in Miranda's direction.

"I don't care what you need Asher. I really don't. Because even if you were bent on protecting me or whatever, this isn't the way to do it." Miranda shot his confidence down.

"Give it to him!" The ghost cheered Miranda on.

Asher's fists tightened. He never allowed anyone, other than his late mate to scold him, and she had to earn that right.

"You've crossed the line." Asher warned Miranda with a low, menacing growl.

Miranda wasn't scared.

"I'm not afraid of you Asher. No, in fact I pity you. You're sad, and I don't know why, and I'm sorry to think that it was something tragic that brought it on." Miranda expressed, while looking in the ghost's direction.