Luminous (I)

Chapter XII

QUESTION FOR TODAY: Facebook or Twitter?

Two weeks later

"You're a dick, Jake Collins."

We were sprawled on the sofa, amusing ourselves with a game of Call of Duty whilst Damien held a meeting with the Elders. The locket Chrissy had given me a few years prior was wrapped around my wrist; it was far too small for my neck, considering I'd grown in the space of four years, so I decided to use it as a bracelet instead. Every time I looked down, it caught my eye and grief blossomed once more. I took to distracting myself, and Call of Duty just happened to be the best distraction available.

"You're just butt hurt because I'm kicking your ass." He grinned.

"Well, that does come with the territory of having your ass kicked!" I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be a smartass, T. No one likes a smart ass." He groaned, fighting a smile.

"I like a smartass!"

Sam, who had quickly become my favourite small person, barrelled onto my lap. I dropped the controller and tickled his stomach, eliciting a squeal from him.

"You know who I like?" I asked.

He waited for me to go on.

"You!" I grinned, swinging him into my arms.

"Do you like me more than Damien?" He asked, giggling.

"Definitely." I assured him.

"I'm hurt, baby."

Damien entered the room with a crooked smile, leaning against the door frame. I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

"I only speak truth." I replied.

He plucked Sam from my grip and chuckled. "I think you love me, mate."

"I think you're deranged, mate." I folded my arms across my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"I think you should go on a run with me tonight." he declared.

Jake ushered Sam out of the room, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Damien's declaration had me in fits of laughter.

"This just proves my point that you're crazy. I don't run. Heck, I don't even walk."

"I don't think you get my point," Damien grinned, flexing his muscles. "If I say that you most certainly will not be running, would you come with me?"

I squinted my eyes at him. "I guess,"

He smiled triumphantly, which instantly had me regretting my decision.

"Great. I'll see you at 5."

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I opened up the suitcase Uncle Tom had dropped off a few days prior and hastily pulled out my leggings. They were a few inches too short- mainly due to my recent growth spurt- but I still pulled them on anyway. I wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to take my bracelet off; if I lost it, I'd lose the only part of Chrissy I had left. Sighing, I grudgingly shoved it into my drawer and scraped my hair into a high ponytail.

"Are you ready, little one?" Damien shouted.

"Depends on your definition of 'ready'." I called back.

I heard him chuckle. I jogged downstairs and he hesitantly took my hand, gauging my reaction. My heart started to pound as his fingers entwined with mine.

"Don't be scared, Thea." He breathed in my ear. "I won't hurt you."

My knees went weak. I closed my eyes and shifted towards him, breathing deeply. He snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. I lifted a hand, al,ost imperceptibly, and ran it through his sleek locks. This only spurred Damien on, who proceeded to lower his head until his lips were inches from my neck. The sensation of his hot breath against my skin had me gasping, and in an instant my resolve had crumbled. As if sensing my submission he brushed the sensitive skin in a tender kiss and I moaned, chest heaving with exertion.