Thicker than Water

Chapter Twenty

Seven whole days I spent locked away in the room.  The strange feeling in my mouth had me more worried than ever.  It burned almost all the time, like I was always thirsty.  No matter how much water I drank nothing soothed me.  I had gotten worse in other areas to.  When Marissa came to check on me the silver wedding ring on her finger caused me to get a rash.  So as precautions, the curtains were drawn closed and everything silver was removed.  Nobody except Haden, Marissa, and Kendell were allowed to enter the room.  I felt like I was on put lock down more than being on the safe side.  It wasn't their fault for making me feel so alone, but I knew they were scared of what I abomination I could become and decided to stay away.  I feared it too, but I would be the only one unable to get away from it.

"Rogue," Haden said and I looked up at him.  We were sitting on the floor playing poker, but my head wasn't in it.  I laid down my cards without a word and leaned back into the bed.  He sighed and set down his cards.  His hair hung in his face as he put all the cards back into the deck.  I couldn't read his thoughts still and he couldn't read mine.  It was locked down in both places.  He glanced up at me only once and said, "You okay?"

No, I'm not, I wanted to say, but all I said was, "I'm just tired."  I yawned and let my eyes drift close.  My thirst was growing more and more unbearable every second.  It burned in my throat and I couldn't help but think about it a majority of the time.  I was slowly losing my grasp on my sanity.  When he didn't say anything, I cracked my eye open at him.

Haden's eyebrows pinched together and he set the deck on the side table then came to sit right in front of me.  I could smell the shampoo he had used on the shower earlier this morning.  It mingled with his natural scent.  Yet another side effect of the venom in my veins.  I took a deep breath and folded my arms as he stared at me.  "What is it," he asked again.

I took a deep breath and looked steadily at him.  I asked him carefully, "What if I never go back to normal?"  He flinched at my question but I carried on.  "It's getting worse to the point where when we go to sleep I have to lock myself in the bathroom to keep from hurting you.  I even have fangs, Haden."  I bared my teeth at him and his eyes turned sad.  "I'm turning into a monster."

"You aren't a monster!"  He had shouted so suddenly I jumped.  He cleared his throat and I could see him struggling to keep calm.  He grabbed my shoulders and was looking deep into my soul.  "You are not a monster.  If anyone is a monster, it's Connell."  Haden pulled my feet to rest in his lap and began to knead little circles with his strong hands. I found myself relaxing into it and I sighed.  He half smiled at me then began to work up my calf muscles.  I didn't try to say anything to him but he spoke instead.  He said calmly, "You are still Rogue, the woman I fell in love with.  I fell in love with the way she sleeps and pulls up her hair when she's thinking.  She likes pop tarts and music.  That sure as hell isn't a monster."

I nodded and closed my eyes.  I could fell him stop and when I cracked open an eye I found his face inches from mine.  He was so close and his scent was all over me.  I could feel my thirst building more and more.  He drew his lips closer to mine until they barely brushed against each other.  "Rogue," he began but was cut off by the bedroom door opening.

Kant walked in then stopped quickly at the sight of us.  Haden had leaned away at the sound of the door but his hands were still on my legs.  Kant looked between Haden and I like we were bad children.  "If I'm interrupting, I can come back later," he said and began to back up.

Haden and I at the same said something in reply, but we contradicted each other.  While I had been saying no, Haden had said yes.  I blushed and got to my feet to put distance between us.  "It's fine," I told Kant then moved to the window to put space between me and him.  Haden sighed then looked at Kant with a sour expression but I spoke before he could chew Kant out.  "What did you need?"