dragon fire

chapter 36

A while later; I heard the door open and close. "Shayla? Where are you?" I called. "I'm in the tub. I'll be out in a moment." Letting out the water; I stood just as the bathroom door opened, and Quinn is standing there, staring at the wet, and very naked me.

Quickly turning around he said.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry, I didn't mean to." "It's fine. Don't worry about it. Things happen." I stepped out, and pulled on my bathrobe. Tying it as tight as I can. "Ok I'm covered, you can turn around now."

Slowly he started to turn, to face me; his cheeks are all red. "I shouldn't have come in like that. I am so sorry." Walking up to him, I put a hand on his chest, to stop him. "Stop. It was an accident. Don't be embarrassed by it. I don't have anything any other girl doesn't have." He nodded, his cheeks still red.

Removing my hand, pain ripped through my shoulder; causing me to grab my arm.

"Shayla what is it?" "I don't know." Taking the top of my bathrobe, he said. "Let me see it." "No it's fine." He gave me a look. "Don't be an idiot, let me see it."

He said examining my shoulder.

"There are two large claw marks. Were they there before?" "I don't know. I didn't notice that before. How bad is it?" "Not that bad. But I need to dress them. So wrap yourself in a towel and I will get something to dress it." I nodded as he handed me a towel and left the room. Pulling off my robe, I walked over, and looked in the mirror at my shoulder.

Right there starting at the top of my shoulder and going down my back, are two nasty looking claw marks. "Eliana what happened?"

"I'm sorry child I do not know. They should have been healed when I saved you."

Wrapping the towel around myself, I sat on the edge of the tub, as Quinn walked in, going through a first aid kit.

Sitting next to me, he pulled gauze and things from the kit. "Turn around, I need to dress these." I thought about arguing with him, but the look on his face, told me to do as he says.

"How could we not have seen these?" He asked as I turned around.

"I don't know. Nothing makes sense about anything that has been happening to me; since I met you in September." "Is that all it's been?"

Nodding. "Yeah. I left just after school started. Why, how long does it feel like to you?"
"A lot longer than that. Now hold still, because this is going to sting a little." He said as he dabbed the wounds. Flinching, he settled his hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, just a little more, then that part will be done. Now stay still." "I'm sorry." "For what?" "For everything I have put you through in the past 24 hours." "None of what happened was your fault. He should have known better. But why didn't we see these before?"

Shaking my head.

"I don't know why, and Eliana doesn't know why they wouldn't have been healed by now." "Well don't worry, there not bleeding or anything, so there be okay. Now I am done here." He said making sure it' secure moving his hands down my back. "It's just about noon, I brought some food; so get dressed and come out. I brought some clothes in here for you as well." He said as he started for the door.

"Just one more thing."

He stopped, his hand on the doorknob. "Yeah?" "What' the date today? Everything is a little fuzzy right now." "It's December tenth." "I've only been in town for four months?"

He turned to me, and nodded.
"Yeah, and about that long since my parents died." "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"No it's fine. Get dressed, I'll just be out here." I nodded, and he closed the bathroom door behind him.

"You know what that means my dear. In a few days, it will be our birthday."

"No it can't be."

"I'm sorry Shayla but it is. How old will we be?"

Pulling on my shirt, I said. "Over the years, I've lost count. But remember years ago, my body stopped aging at seventeen." A knock at the door, made me jump. "Shayla you alright in there?" "Yeah I'll be right out." "Okay." He called, and I can hear him walking away from the door.

"Do not tell him."

"How would I tell him?"

Stepping up to the mirror, I started brushing out my long brown hair.

"You would find a way. You got him that message when I was out last night."

"I won't tell him, I assure you."

She said as she took control long enough to turn my eyes gold, then fading.

"Good, now let's get out there." I said, walking over to the door. Walking out, Quinn has set up a nice dinner for us. "Have a seat." He said, grabbing a couple drinks from the mini fridge.

"So how did your meeting go?"

"Good my stuff will be ready for pickup this afternoon. So after we eat, we are going out." "Where are we going?" "You'll see. Now eat up."

He got us burgers, and fries; and numerous other types of food. Taking a bite of my burger, I realize how hungry, I actually am.

I devoured it in about two minutes, Quinn just laughed and gave me more food. After a moment I wiped my mouth with my napkin, and asked.

"So what are we going to do about Cormac?" "What do you mean?" "I mean we have to do something about him! He attacked us, and tried to kill us. He has to be dealt with."

He covered my hand with his. His touch calming me. "We'll take care of him. But right now relax, he's not here, he can't hurt us, can't hurt you. It's just you and me; well and Eliana of course."

"Well thank you for including me in there."

I can't help but laugh at that.

"What? What's so funny? Did she say something to you?"

"It's nothing." Sitting back in my chair, I looked out one of the room's windows, the sky is darkening; and it's starting to snow.

Quinn got up from the table, and started cleaning up; which didn't take very long. When he finished, he said. "I'm going to grab a quick shower, and we'll head out. Here's the remote, so go nuts. I won't be long." As he walked to the bathroom; he pulled his shirt off, giving me a view of his bare back. Once I'm alone, I grabbed my bag, I sat on the couch, and went through everything he packed for me.

Going through it, I'm surprised that he went into my intimates drawer, he also brought me another pair of boots and the shirt that be bought me. He even brought a sketch book, and my pencils for me.

Making sure that he's turned the shower on, pulled off my shirt and put the one he gave me on.

He had also grabbed the kit I keep in my bathroom, I put on some light makeup and brushed out my hair again.

A couple minutes later; Quinn walked out, his chest still bare, his hair still damp, and a mess around his face. He gave me a smile and put his shirt on, and shook out his hair.

Drying his hair, he said.

"We should get going, we have somewhere we need to be." "And where are we going?" He gave me a sly smile, walking up to me, leaning down, closer to me; his lips in my ear. "I'm still not going to tell you. You just have to wait and see."

His breath against my cheek, he moved back, still smiling down at me. Pulling on our boots and coats, Quinn handed me my bag, and ushered me out.

Stepping out onto the street, the soft snow wafting through the air.

I have been waiting for it to snow, I love it when it snows, and making everything sparkle. He ushered me too the car, and held the door open for me.

I'm not sure why we're driving when it would be a lot easier to walk anywhere.

We stopped in front of a store, and Quinn found a parking spot and we got out. "Why are we here?"

Instead of answering, he took my hand, and led me inside, and through the store.

*1R~;m