The Cold North

Page 9

"What happened?" I asked as he turned the faucet on for me to run my hand under.

"It's nothing." He said, waving off my concern as he sifted through a drawer.

"It doesn't look like nothing." I said before wincing at the pain of the water pressure against my cut.

He turned off the water and took my hand, patting it dry with a towel. I watched as he carefully poured peroxide on it and then wrapped it in a thin layer of gauze. I flexed my fingers, stretching the tight skin. I had never been cut before now.

"You shouldn't leave your room at night." Viktor warned me with his hard gaze fixed on my eyes. I couldn't leave until I agreed because he was too close. If I were to slide off the counter I would be completely pressed against him.

I shook the thought and tried to pretend it hadn't crossed my mind as I nodded. I slipped off the counter once he decided I got the point and I went back to my room. I lied in bed, staring out the window and thinking about Viktor. He had stopped Aleksey from attacking me and fixed my hand without being asked to. He probably just figured he had to, right? Yeah, that's probably it.

I wonder what happened to him. The cuts I mean. Someone must have done it to him, but he hadn't left the house. Or...at least I don't think he did. Uncle Dimitri was looking for him, maybe...no. He wouldn't.

Wrapped up in my thoughts I drifted unknowingly into unconsciousness. I woke up from a dreamless sleep in time to see the sun rise. I spent about half an hour examining the landscape. The pine trees were the same color as my eyes and the bark was the same color as my hair. Every time I see a forest I make that connection. I guess it's because I feel so calm and serene in the woods. Ironic.

I brushed my hair out and pulled it up into a bun and brushed my teeth before walking downstairs. Today I was one of the last ones to breakfast. A pair of firm hands gripped my shoulders and I looked up to see Uncle Dimitri giving me a sorry look.

"I'm okay." I assured him and splayed my fingers. It only ached a little.

"I am sorry about Aleksey. He..." His brows knitted together as he searched for the words.

"It's alright, Uncle Dimitri. It happens." I shrugged. Okay, so I lied. You don't get attacked by half conscious, attractive Russian guys in the middle of the night all the time...or ever, but I didn't want him to worry.

"If you say so." He squeezed my shoulders too hard, like my dad did, and kissed my cheek, tickling me with his beard before he retreated into the kitchen.

Uncle Dimitri is a strange man, that's what mom always said. He kind of is, but you have to love him. He's a huge rugged guy who's really just a teddy bear. To say he wouldn't hurt a fly would be incorrect, because he has a history of violence, but he only does what's necessary. After all, Russia isn't like America. Things work differently here.