HALFBLOOD DANCER

15. MONSTERS

Buzzing...

An endless buzzing revives my ears. Then comes the humming, slowly turning into dull murmurs, the murmurs gradually becoming muffled voices. I try to focus on the voices, and as they become clearer, I recognize the language-Italian.

"Stop being so hard on yourself, please," someone pleads.

"I gave her too much, Sofi. I could've killed her," Sandro says, his voice quavering.

"But you didn't. And that's the risk you took to save her life. She wouldn't have survived that fall."

"None of this would've happened if I hadn't left her alone."

"She really means a lot to you, eh? I've never seen you like this before."

"If something were to happen to her...I..." Sandro's devastated voice trails off.

I make useless attempts to move, as I suddenly remember falling off the cliff. I want to run into his arms and comfort him, but my body gives me no response. It's all numb. All the physical pain is completely gone. I feel nothing, nothing but this torture, this affliction in my heart, for no matter how hard I try, I can't do anything to end Sandro's agony.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Sofia comments.

"It's been over two hours. She should've been awake by now."

"Did you know it would be different this time?"

"Yes," Sandro breathes out after a moment. "But it's taking too long. It's like her body is fighting it or something."

What are they talking about? I struggle with myself, trying to make a move, to speak at the very least. But I still fail at every attempt. I can't even open my eyes.

"What will you do when she wakes up? She'll have questions."

"And the answers she shall find, as she deserves the truth." Sandro sighs. "But I will need time alone with her, which will be difficult to attain. Her friends are very protective of her."

"Don't worry about her friends. They won't be back for hours. The girls will make sure of that," Sofia says. "And I'm sure tomorrow they'll be sleeping it off most of the day. You do whatever you need to do, take your time as you need it. We'll take care of her friends."

"Thank you, Sofi."

Sofia speaks again, but her voice becomes muffled as the buzzing returns, filling my ears once more before everything starts to drift away.

*****

I wake with the tangy taste of metal in my mouth. Before I can even open my eyes, he occupies all my thoughts. "Sandro," I whisper his name.

"Sono qui, tesoro mio." He holds my hand. "Sono qui."

I can hear the relief in his voice. I open my eyes and blink a few times to adjust to the light. It's really bothering me. I glance around, recognizing my bedroom. I didn't realize before how bright the lights in here are.

Sandro presses his lips on my forehead, caressing me with tender, yet profound kisses. I take a deep breath, relishing my favorite fragrance in the world, his scent. Only now for the first time, as I breathe it in, I recognize the refined aroma of sandalwood, jasmine, and citrus. I also feel a delicate note of warm vanilla and nutmeg.

My nostrils flare with pleasure, my body reacting with new sensations.

Pulling himself away, he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing it vehemently. He's sitting on the edge of the bed, hovering protectively over me.