Hybrid

THIRTEEN

⫷ ARIA ⫸

Payton dropped me off at Pete's café ten minutes ago; long enough for me to order a cup of iced coffee. Just what I need; an unhealthy dose of sugar and caffeine. Anything to hide the fact that I certainty did not have a good sleep last night. In fact, I'm sure Tony wanted to claw my eyes out with how much I flipped. Payton, too, who is apparently a light sleeper.

I don't hear the door open, which is odd, considering it jiggles whenever someone comes in. That's why alarm freezes me to my spot when someone sits across from me. Not just anyone, and certainly not Gem.

James.

I don't run like I want to. Instead, my legs stop working. I can't breathe. If I clutch my drink any tighter, the plastic will crack.

"Why are you so scared of me?" He asks with a frown. Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I hate to see his pain, especially knowing it's because of me. "I promise not to hurt you."

With a twitch of my legs, I know they work again. "You already have," I manage to whisper. Drink forgotten, I take off out of the café. I don't care where I'm going as I sprint down the busy city street, so long as I can escape the memory of those blood red eyes, and the fear that comes along with it.

It all happens too quickly for me to scream. One second, I'm running down the street, and the next, strong arms are hauling me into a passenger seat. I'm too busy wondering why the hell nobody feels the need to help me to do anything. In fact, the door is shut and the car takes off when common sense returns.

Panicking, I slam my hands against the truck door. "Let me go! Let me go!"

James tightens his grip on the steering wheel. "Stop," he warns.

"What did I ever do to you? Why do you keep forcefully taking me? I don't want any of this!"

"Stop!" He shouts this time, causing me to flinch. "Just stop, Aria! I won't hurt you!"

The words die in my throat, where a lump grows. I close my eyes to block out how alluring his eyes are, no matter the emotion they show. The truck comes to a stop and my door is pulled open, but I don't move or open my eyes.

"Aria, come on." The sound of defeat in his voice nearly wins me over.

"No."

James throws me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, causing me to shriek in protest. I slam my hands against his back, tears spilling down my cheeks and blood rushing to my head. Why would he do this? Why would he hurt me? The confusion makes my head spin.

Back in his bedroom, James puts me down, though he stands between me and the exit. I scramble back until I'm huddled against the opposite corner of the room.

"I'm not letting you go, Aria." It isn't until he takes a step forward that I notice black eyes.

"What do you want from me?"

"I already told you the first time," he says in a voice deeper than before. "You. I want you, Aria. And I won't stop until I have you."

"You can't have me," I whimper. The battle inside of me heightens, creating an emotional pain that I'm not used to.

His voice softens. "Why are you afraid of me?"

I'm taken aback that he would even have to ask. "Y-you attacked me! I remember you! In the forest. You attacked me. Y-you..." Killed me.

James is in front of me in a flash. His hands wrap around my waist and he nuzzles his face into my neck. I'm so consumed with a sense of longing that I don't push away.