War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

18

I lean back in the tub, the warm water soaking into my freezing cold skin. Bubbles coating the top of the water. Covering me.

I keep my head above the water and stare straight ahead at the full body length mirror that looks back at me, showing me my vulnerability in this moment. I turn my head away from the mirror and find my vision has landed on the dark sky outside. Everything stands still. There's not a whistle of wind. There's not a flash of lighting or a roar of thunder... It's just quiet. Empty.

I turn my attention back to look at the mirror. The mirror that seems to mock me..

The door opens and I watch his reflection grow near, as Luke steps into the bathroom.

"How could he do such a thing. Why, would he do such a thing?" I whisper as he slowly walks over to me.

"Why, would he do this to me?" I ask and he sighs.

"It's not Shane." he responds but I shake my head.

That's a lie.

"The problem though, it is." I say and he sighs. He takes a seat on the edge and looks down at me.

"Why is he doing this? Why did he just let himself go?" I ask looking up at him.

"The pull of immortality, and becoming supernatural, can be hard to not fall to." he says. I nod thinking on that then looking back at him when a question comes to mind.

"Does it pull at you?"

"Every day." he says after a few moment of silence.

"But you haven't gone dark." I say and he nods.

"Because I have a reason to stay light." he says meeting my eyes

"Did Shane not?" I ask and he slowly looks away and rubs his face.

"I don't know." he says and I nod sadly, looking back out at the dark sky.

"Luke." I say as he stands up to go. He turns around and looks back over at me.

"Yeah?" he asks.

"No more running. I'm ready to fight." I say my fists clenching under the bubbly water.

"Me too." he says then leaves the bathroom.

~~~~~~

I pull the robe around my body then leave the bathroom. I walk out into the main room and see Luke asleep on the bed. I slowly pull off the robe and change into sweatpants and a tank top then put the robe up. My vision lands on what once was Grace's bed, and my heart breaks. I force myself to avert my attention away. It hurts though. I slowly turn back to her bed and walk over. I move to my knees and gently pick up her stuffed rabbit. The one thing she brought with her from her actual home. I hug it too my chest, a tear sliding down my cheek as I do so. I slowly raise to my feet, dropping the rabbit back to her bed.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper.

"Christina?" I turn slowly turn around, finding Luke is pushed into a sitting position. I nod slowly then walk over to him. One look and he's pulling me down to him. He wraps his arms around me and I cry into his shirt. He comforts me best he can, as I continue to cry.

I feel weak and torn. My heart aches, everything aches. Yet at the same time, I feel completely empty. I feel nothing.

He holds me tight against him, keeping me warm and safe. Keeping the demons within me at bay. The fear within me, the pain within me, everything, is absent when I'm in his arms.

He presses his lips to the side of my head then puts his chin on my shoulder.

"Try to sleep." he whispers shifting some. I unhappily nod and move away some. I crawl over him then lay down. He pulls the blanket higher up on me and I move so I'm facing him.

"I'm here for you every step of the way." he says in a hushed tone. He pushes some hair out of my face and I look up.

"I know." I whisper and he puts an arm over my waist. I put my head against his chest then shut my eyes, breathing in.

"Goodnight Christina."

"Night." I whisper then soon fall asleep.

~~~~