Thorns of Fate: Serendipity Saga Book One

Chapter Eight

Black and white scenes flashed above me. Raoul loomed over me again, crushing my windpipe, breaking my chest. His hands pushed up my skirt, greedily, hungrily. My body exploded in pain from top to bottom. It rippled out from my chest, shaking me to me core. He swooped down on me, his fangs snatching onto my neck. Agony exploded from my shoulder and I screamed and screamed and...

"Kyra! Kyra!" Carson screamed, shaking me violently. My arms lashed out at him, landing pounding blows against his chest that he was shrugging off. I stuttered to a stop, wrapping my arms around his chest and pulling him to me without another word.

He pressed down into me, allowing me to snuggle against him. He dropped beside me, stretching out, drawing me against his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around me. His hand brushed over my hair gently. "Kyra, I'm here. I'm always here," he mumbled, pressing his warm lips against the crown of my head.

"He was there..." I mumbled, feeling tears dripping down my cheeks. They fell against the skin of his chest but he didn't seem to mind. I felt him nod against my head. "He...was hurting me," I devolved into sobs. He clutched me to him, passing his hand over my hair again and again until I started to get drowsy again, images of Raoul fading from my mind.

"Please don't leave me..." I murmured before drifting into a haze.

"I would never," he whispered back quietly.

I awoke groggily, my world steadying into focus when I blinked my eyes open. Carson still lay beneath me, breathing quietly, fast asleep. My head rested on his chest and he was so warm. He smelled good, but he always seemed to smell good. His heartbeat thumped against my cheek.

No more nightmares had come. Raoul hadn't reappeared from the darkness to torment me front beyond the grave. I had a feeling I had Carson to thank for that.

A glance around the room reminded me of the passionate blood letting we had engaged in the night before. I was a little sad that he managed to have the willpower to stop. Blood was crusted down my neck, shoulder, and chest. It fortunately didn't seem to have effected my sheets much but I was definitely feeling gross.

I lifted my head from his chest gently, trying not to wake him and went in just my panties to the bathroom. I relieved myself before turning the shower dial, letting hot water fill the room with humidity.

I slipped my panties off and climbed in. The water felt exquisite across my skin, cleaning away the grime from the night before. Thinking on it, I was a little surprised Carson had let me go to sleep with blood all over me like that.

"You too, huh?" Came Carson's voice, making me leap through the air in surprise. He wasn't looking at me and was facing away, running water in the bathroom sink. Looking down at his hands, I noticed a black wash cloth between his fingertips. He ran hot water over it, then dabbed at his neck and chest. His hair was tousled from sleep. He still had dark spots beneath his eyes and looked drowsy.

"Did I wake you?" I asked, feeling guilty.

He turned partially looking over his shoulder. I knew he could see me through the opaque glass but his eyes stayed trained on my face. "The absence of you did," he responded with a smile. "It's fine."

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. I hesitated before extending the offer. "You can climb in if you want." I hissed it in a rush, my face filling with blood.

He turned fully now, still not looking down, obviously making a conscious effort to maintain eye contact. His shoulders were tense and stiff. I hoped I hadn't offended him.

He shook his head, making me believe it was more to himself than an answer to my invitation. When his eyes met mine again, they were filled with a playful glee. "Do you think you could handle that?" He asked, chuckling.