War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

13

I jerk awake breathing heavy. I look to my right and find Christina sleeping soundly and my breathing calms. Quickly though, I get off the bed and walk into the bathroom.

I fall against the sink, then grip on to the edge, and lean forward looking into the mirror. Sweat coats my forehead, and shines on my shoulders and chest. My muscles tense in pain, and the tattoo burns clear on my shoulder. I take a deep breath then shake my head, trying to knock everything back the way it should be. I look into the mirror and breathe heavy seeing only my eyes staring back at me. Nothing more.

Sweat continues to run down me and I duck my head now looking into the sink.

I made a promise and I'm not breaking it... especially not, when it's a promise I made to Christina.

"Get ahold of yourself." I growl forcing the death from my mind. I look back into the mirror and find gold eyes staring back at me. I quickly look away and grip the sink even tighter. I hear movement and I curse knowing she's getting up. I look into the mirror and clench my fists watching the gold slowly vanish, but the pain doesn't ease.

"Luke?"

I look over at her quickly and take her all in.

It's Christina, she's awake and she's here. It's not fake, nothing's fake. She's real.

"Luke?" she asks again then walks over to me.

"Why are you up?" she asks

She's real, she's real. She's right in front of me. She's real.

"Bad dream." I get out as she reaches me.

"You told me you got them, but I never actually believed it." she says touching my arm

That's her fingers, it's her. She's right here.

"No, I get them too." I say everything finally evening out. My vision stops going in and out of focus and I finally can focus on her, only her.

"Are they bad?" she asks and I turn back over the sink, clenching the sides.

"They're bearable." I say and she puts her chin on my shoulder.

"What are they about?" she asks and I stare at us in the mirror. Our eyes lock through the reflection, and I slowly look away.

"Death and destruction." I say and she sighs.

"Mine too." she whispers and I look back up at her in the mirror.

"No, they're different." I say turning so we're chest to chest.

"What do you mean?" she asks and I look down.

"I dream about your death. About this demon I've tried for years to bury." I whisper cautiously meeting her gaze.

"I don't understand." she says and I nod.

"There's something you need to know ." I say and she bites her lip.

"You can tell me."

"It's just, these nightmares aren't your typical nightmares. They're nightmares about your death, about your heart being ripped from your chest, about me taking your life." I say and she shakes her head.

"They're just nightmares." she says gently

"Yeah, I guess so." I say.

But I hear the lie as it leaves my lips. And I can tell, she sees that I don't believe it.

"You don't think they're just nightmares, do you?" she asks and I meet her eyes.

"No, I don't." I say and she pulls her arms around herself.

"You dream about killing me?" she asks shakily and I nod.

"Every night."

"Do you- do you want to kill me?"

"No." I say quickly looking over at her.

Time passes. But I can't find any words to say.

"Come back to bed." she says breaking it. I look over at her but don't make a move.

"I'll come in later."

"Alright." she says not pushing me. I nod my thanks then she turns around and leaves. I watch her go, then turn back to the mirror.

"Just a nightmare"... she says.

"Just the reality"... I say

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