thunderstruck | book #2 | discontinued

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"You didn't have to walk me all the way home, you know," Remy said, though in truth she was grateful for as much time with Maksim as she could get. They had reached the block of flats, her home, and she stopped before he was to get any closer and see how run-down her house was compared to his. She had never been embarrassed before now, not when she was always seeing how Maksim lived and never the other way around.

The day was bright despite the heavy clouds lingering in front of the sun and she inhaled deeply as a breeze whipped through her. Even here, she could always taste the saltiness of the sea air, always feel it entangling itself in her hair and clinging to her clothes. It was something she had never used to notice, but Astracia felt like a vacuum compared to Calderdale and it was perhaps one of the only things she liked about her own home.

Her eyes froze suddenly on the road in front of her. There was a police car parked outside the apartments and though it might not have been for her, she wouldn't have put it past her mother to get them involved again.

"Oh no," she said under her breath, beginning to walk in the direction of her flat without looking back to see if Maksim was following her.

He was, she realised as she began her struggle with the steps, pulling her dress up when she nearly tripped. He caught her, putting his hands on her hips gently. "You are lethal in that dress."

"Elegance has never really been in my nature." She steadied herself quickly using the railings, trying to ignore the electricity that jolted through her with his touch. "Look, you should go. I have some stuff to handle."

"And leave you to fall and break you neck? I do not think so." Even without looking at him, she could tell he was frowning. "Is everything alright?"

"My mum has just been a bit melodramatic since I got back, that's all." She thinks you kidnapped me, she wanted to say but didn't. "Honestly, you don't want to know."

They reached the top of the stairs and she was glad. Her words were coming out breathlessly, her heart racing from the sudden exercise. Maksim caught up to her, marching down the corridor by her side. This was the last thing she had wanted—for him to see who she was when she was not in Astracia, for him to be among the grimy walls and dingy hallways, where he would never belong. She wondered if it made her look more mortal, more insignificant. It certainly made her feel it.

"I fear I do," he responded, narrowing his eyes. "Are you in trouble because of me?"

"No." She reached the door and placed her hand on the knob, leaning against it to prevent Maksim from going in. "I'm in trouble because of me. Look, thanks for bringing me home. I'll see you..." later, she was going to say before realising with a pang that it might not be true, "I'll see you when I see you, I guess."

"Remy..."

"Remy?" Another voice interrupted from behind the door. "Is that you?"

The door was opened before Remy could move and she stumbled backwards, being pulled straight into her mother's arms. "Thank God," Bianca whispered, her voice heavy with tears.

She opened her mouth, ready to apologise, but her mother was already pulling away with glassy eyes, her gaze flickering to Maksim, who stood awkwardly in the doorway, his head bowed so as not to bang it on the frame. "Is this him? Is this the boy who took you?"

"He didn't..." She noticed the police then, Officer Smith and a woman she didn't recognise, standing behind Bianca with calculated expressions. "It's not like that. I've told you. Why are they here?"

Bianca shook her head and turned to the officers expectantly. Remy looked around, thankful when there was no sign of any of her siblings.

"Well," her mother said, "arrest him! He took her away—twice! Aren't you going to do anything?"