Wolfsbane

33. I'm an unobservant idot

Luca retracted his claws instantly. He spun around, staring at the crowd. Then he looked at me.

I didn't know what he saw, but every ounce of harshness was replaced with concern. He was worried, no, even worse he was stressed.

He rushed over, pushing people out of his way.

Another wave of pain washed over me, I leaned over wrapping my arms around my stomach. A cold feeling was traveling up my spine. I let out a cry of pain, my eyes were squeezed shut in an attempt to ignore it.

Andrea tightened her grip on my bicep, she placed another hand on my shoulder, patting it awkwardly.

I could hear Luca's footsteps. I could hear Andrea and him have a quick conversation. A hushed heated argument, not as hot as my cheeks felt.

I felt another hand on my shoulder, this one was much larger than Andrea's.

Luca knelt down, staring up into my eyes. He brushed my hair out of my face, hair that was ruined from the sweat.

"Melody" he said quietly

I let out a soft groan in response I could barely formulate a sentence.

"Listen to me-" Luca began "No matter what happens, you cannot close your eyes. You need to stay with me"

I nodded softly, letting out a groan of understanding.

"Lim will be sending reinforcements. I suppose that he thought you'd drink the entire glass so that he would be taking out two birds with one stone"

A wave of hot pain washed over me. My knees buckled again, this time thrusting me forward. Luca caught me, wrapping his arms around my back.

I groaned, scrunching my eyebrows together. Was this how I was going to go? It seemed far too undignified. I was going to go out because of a damned glass of champagne.

I could feel my eyes watering. Not from sadness, from anger. Anger towards Joe, anger towards fate. Anger towards that stupid soothsayer who'd given Luca's mother his fate.

"I don't want to die" I whispered into Luca's ear. I sounded like a madwoman, a desperate madwoman.

He rubbed his hand over my back, I could hear the sound of his palm running over fabric.

"If it makes you feel any better" he whispered "I don't want you to die either"

He placed a hand behind my knee, scooping me up effortlessly into his arms. He stood, carrying me like a bride on her wedding day.

He spun around, spinning me with him. I could see Rory's glasses glimmering in the dimmed light.

Rory turned to Angela, I didn't quite catch what he said.

"You two aren't going to betray me now?" Luca spat.

Rory shook his head. The shine of his glasses moved back and forth rapidly, I found myself entranced by the simple action.

"Get her out of here Loverboy" I heard Angela say. "If anyone tries to stop you, I will kill them"

Luca nodded.

"Me too" Rory added "I mean murder is a bit extreme but-"

"Thanks Rory" Luca said, stopping the other man in his tracks.

Luca stared down at me. He shot me a painful look. He brought my head up so that I was close to his face.

"I know you don't like to listen to me" He said darkly "I meant it when I said to keep you eyes open"