Out of the Lamp

Chapter 25: Possessed

Alissa sat at the end of my bed, on my wheelie chair, facing me.

I groan and turn over to try and fall asleep. But even behind closed eyelids, I can feel the flame of her strange orange eyes. Burning two holes into my forehead.

She's been "standing vigil" as she calls it, over me for the entire night. The thick curtains of my bedroom window block out most of the streetlights and so the room is well blackened. Which doesn't help the jarring effects of her freakishly supernatural glowing eyes. It's like being watched by a predator. Well - she is one really, but you know what I mean.

The most uncomfortable shit ever.

Upon my tumultuous entrance back into my bedroom, she has informed me of the little hunting expedition that Lucian is on. The prey being yours truly. Soft fleshed, frail of body, half mortal me. Fantastic.

Alissa had queried about my ID with the local Immortal's Bureau hall in her city. She was from London. Which explained the intense overwhelming city landscape and smog pollution I experienced when I crash landed in her territory the other night. It has that ghastly city feel to it, like Jack the Ripper was lurking in the depths of the alley ways ready to tear into his latest unsuspecting victim.

Lucian.

In a way, I guess he was.

Bravo, me, bravo. As if I don't have enough poop on my plate. Add a freakishly vengeance thirsty werewolf to the lot.

'Tell me again why you won't sleep in the guest room.' I sigh.

'Must protect the pup.'

'What pup?'

'You, Alia.' She rolls her golden eyes.

'From what exactly? We have the barrier in place you know.'

She shifts awkwardly at that. 'Her.' She states.

I eye her curiously. A very pregnant silence nestling between us. 'You mean my mother?' I say eventually.

She nods solemnly, eyes averted as she can't seem to hold my gaze. I wasn't surprised really. The events that transpired upon my initial arrival still hung in the air.

***

Earlier this evening...

'How did you find me?' I gape up at the shapeshifter sitting in a squat on the floor by my bed.

Hazel eyes watching my every move.

'Easy, I asked for the half-mortal Djinn Alia. You'd be surprised how little have that name. Seven currently in this country alone. So I checked the first, and you were the second. I could smell you all over the neighbourhood-'

She breaks off and blushes.

'Sorry, that sounds wrong, but you know what I mean,' she taps her nose and laughs awkwardly. 'So there was no need to continue through the list, thank goddess, because my wolf and I were thoroughly exhausted.'

I can't help the cheesy grin that glides onto my face. She was gorgeous, badass, and awkwardly funny. Love it.

'So, where have you been for the past two days?' She scratches her head and looks at me.

'Two days?' I furrow my brows.

What does she mean two days? I was only whisked away earlier tonight by Daemon before the whole encounter with her-