The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 26

I walk down into the kitchen to find Apollo talking to Archer. The second they realise I'm there, they stop their conversation, filling the room with an awkward silence. I feel both their eyes on me as I take a seat at the breakfast bar, not sure what I just interrupted.

 Archer rolls his eyes at my intrusion, obviously bothered by my presence, before I realise it's the first time I've seen him since he tried to attack me. The night he laid across the blood stained floor covered in gaping wounds. A slither of guilt pricks my stomach before remembering what he did that caused me to have to defend myself.

'You look better today.' I say to him, eyeing the light scar that now runs down his neck.

With my comment he turns and walks out the room without saying anything to me, causing Apollo to chuckle.

'He's still a little sore over the whole... incident.' Apollo smiles at me.

'Well, maybe next time he'll remember to keep his hands to himself.'

Apollo doesn't respond to my comment and something tells me he's still annoyed by what Archer tried to do. I know he's family. The only Family he has left. But I don't know why he lets Archer get away with as much as he does.

'Apollo?' I say breaking the silence.

'Cassandra?' He retorts.

'I was wondering if I could go out today... To town?'

'If you promise to behave then I'll take you.' He says with a smirk.

'No... Alone?'

'No'

'What? why?'

He's doesn't respond, he just looks me dead in the eyes, like he's trying to work something out.

'Only for a little while. I've been stuck inside for so long. I just need some fresh air and some new underwear.' I tell him, trying to convince him. 'I'll only be gone an hour or two and then I'll come straight back. Pretty please. You have to trust me sooner or later.'

He lets out a sigh before caving in to my begging.

'Fine. Next week. If you show me I can trust you over the next seven days then I'll give you one hour before I come looking for you.'

'Deal.'

***

As Apollos car comes to a halt just outside one of the few shops this small town has to offer, I swing the door open, feeling his hand wrap around my upper arm, pulling me back to him.

'One hour.' He reiterates to me.

'I know.'

'I'll be back to pick you up from here.' He tells me as he pulls me across the centre console, pressing his lips to mine. I rest my hand on his chest to steady myself as I feel his tongue slide into my mouth. It takes everything in me not to climb on his lap right here. I push myself away from him and give him a wide grin before jumping out the car and disappearing into the first shop.

I watch through the window as the car slowly pulls away, leaving me to my own devices. I run to the underwear section and grab a handful in my size before paying for them at the till. I then walk back out the way I came, poking my head around the corner just to make sure he's actually gone. When I'm satisfied the coast is clear I run over to the clinic, marching straight up to the desk.

A young women barely in her twenties looks up to me from her magazine, surprised to see me.

'Oh, Sorry. Erm, how can I help?' She asks, dropping her copy of Vogue to the desk.