Poisoned Ivy

Chapter 17

I roll out of bed. I roll down the hall. I roll down the stairs. I roll to the living room. I roll onto the couch. I roll over when someone approaches me. Roll, roll, roll. I wish I had a cinnamon roll.

Wow, I must feel worse today than yesterday. I don't even know how that's possible. To recap, yesterday I woke up with telepathic powers, my period started, my first new moon started, my future was decided without my consent, oh and there's a psycho taking over my mind every now and then.

She giggles at my referral to her, "Lighten up!" So she's a morning person, how fitting for her to have yet another annoying trait.

"Screw off." I grumble.

"Don't tempt me lil' darlin'." I scramble up when I realize it's Hayes that's approaching me. I try to scoot as far away as possible when he sits down on the couch. He has me cornered on the edge of the couch and snakes one hand to my chin and the other through my hair. His touch is repulsing. I close my eyes while my teeth chatter from undeniable disgust and fear.

"Do not allow him to touch you, Luna!" Even the female in my head makes me aware of her disgust. "It is a privilege only for your masters."

I slightly get agitated at her. She doesn't tell me who I can and can't have contact with! But that being said, I want nothing more than for Hayes to remove himself from my presence.

"Hayes." I can hear Benji barely holding back a storm of anger. "Leave my territory at once." Benji's expression reminds me of that bear that chased Cameron and I. Completely hostile and ready to demolish the source of his aggression.

Hayes stands up and walks out past Benji. He warns as he leaves, "I'll be waiting for her to run." Benji gives him nothing in return, opting to stand firm with only his head turned into his shoulder. Hayes slams the front door when he leaves.

Benji doesn't look at me. He keeps his nose down, buried in his shoulder, "Ivy, bathe."

"Quickly, Luna." The female urges; she seems scared, "It deeply displeases your master."

I get off the sofa and walk out of the other side of the room, careful to stay away from Benji. His anger is so volatile, I'm pretty sure you could smell it from outside of the house. I lock the bathroom door behind myself and start a bath.

The water is scalding when I dip my toe in it. I don't care and let the heat painfully itch at my skin. Steam fills my lungs as I rue my decision to risk my freedom, my sanity, and my life, for an apple pie. But these past few days, all I've done is regret. That regret only manifests itself as sorrow, and contributes to my pain, pain from loss. I close my eyes and dunk my head under with the rest of my body.

I clear my mind of thoughts and I see her once more. Her essence is cold like her snowy fur and yet her red eyes are hot like a flame. My fur is a woolly black, unkempt, feral, and yet my eyes are reminiscent of the lush plants in the serene forests. She has pride to her, sitting regally as a fog surrounds us. I am not blessed with grace, only menace. She is my opposite and yet we are so similar.

I know any questions I ask will only be bounced back to me. I'll try statements this time.

"I am Ivy Katherine Rose." I give her a slight nod.

"You are Ivy Katherine Rose." She gives me a slight nod.

"My favorite spice is cinnamon."

"Your favorite spice is cinnamon."

I smile deviously. "You are a pain in the ass."

She smiles mischievously. I wait for her to reply, but I lose my concentration from lack of oxygen. I open my eyes and violently gasp for air from the tub. I hang my arms over the rim of the porcelain as I catch my breath and curse myself. Damn, I almost had her. She smirks in the back of my mind at her victory.

There's a knock on the door, "Ivy?" It's Cole.

I lift my head up off the cool edge, "Yeah?"

"Are you, um, okay?" He seems concerned, then I remember what happened with Henry last night. She must have blocked them out again with our interlude.

"Yes." With my reply I sense Cole return back to his business downstairs. I breathe.

"Do not keep secrets from your masters." She advises. Did I mention I hate her?

"Indirectly once or twice." She teases.

"Why are you so playful? When we first started talking, you were so stiff." I ask her.

No reply. Not even an ounce of imagery of her movements in my head. Guess I scared her off. Good.