Archangel

Chapter Thirteen

"You should take a shower." Michael said when we got to his apartment. It's as if he read my mind. I smelled like sweat and blood. It was repulsing. I don't even want to think about how I look. I went into the bedroom and got my pajamas. Then I went to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror. My entire body was covered in blood. And my face was covered with scratches from the wings. The dress was filthy. That made me think of Adalia. I really hope she's ok. I couldn't deal with losing another person. I'm going to text her as soon as I finish taking a shower. I turned on the water and took a long, scalding shower wanting to get rid of the blood on my body. But I'll never get rid of it. Not really. It will always be on me. The images of what I've done will be imprinted in my mind forever. He deserved to die, he wasn't innocent. I keep telling myself that. But he didn't deserve to be tortured like that. What would my mom think? My hand went to my neck, wanting to hold the locket. But it wasn't there. Oh, no. It must have fallen, or broken when I was fighting the outcast. That was the only thing I had left of her. Another thing I failed to keep safe. After I finished, I got out of the bathroom wanting to go straight to bed.

"Stop." Michael ordered getting up from the bed.

"I'm going to bed." I said not in the mood to talk to him.

"We need to talk about what happened." He said moving towards me.

"Tomorrow." I replied, turning the knob to the bedroom and about to step inside, but Michael was faster and he slammed the door shut making me jump.

"Now." He stated in a demanding voice.

"Michael please."

"I don't like being lied to, Scarlett." He said, walking slowly around me.

"What are you talking about? I haven't lied to you." He slammed his fist against the wall and shouted

"Another lie! Every time you open your mouth lies come out! I want the truth now!" I was getting really annoyed. I didn't have the temper for this right now.

"Michael, it's late. And I'm tired." I said trying to get into the bedroom. But he took me by my wrist and turned me around to look at him.

"The truth." He said in a low voice. I couldn't take it anymore.

"What the hell are you talking about? What truth do you want from me? Huh, Michael? What the hell do you want?"

"I want to know why you killed that outcast the way you did. I want to know who Irisa is. And why you carved her name in the outcasts chest with a knife?"

"You're hallucinating. I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's it. I'm done with your bull shit." He said as he moved towards me, picked me up and put me over his shoulder, carrying me to the bed.

"Michael what the hell are you doing? Are you crazy? Put me down this instant!" He dropped me on the bed, and then got on top holding my legs firmly together with his. I slapped him against the face, trying to get free. But it was no use. He pinned my arms above my head as he leaned in and said,

"The truth Scarlett. Ever since I met you, you've been lying to me. It's got to stop." I looked away from him and didn't say anything.

"Look at me. We could do this all night." But I kept my head turned away from him.

"Scarlett. You owe me the truth." He said leaning closer. I looked at him then. His eyes were full of desire. His lips so close to mine. I gave in and told him.

"The woman next to the car that we buried was my mom. And the outcast that I...killed tonight, was the one that killed her. Irisa was her name." I told him everything. What happened on the road, the uncontrollable rage within me when I killed the outcast. He listened the whole time, without interrupting. After I finished, he just stared at me. About a minute passed before he finally spoke again.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked in a whisper. I sighted and said

"Because it's my fault she's dead."

"What do you mean?" He asked looking confused.

"I couldn't save her. I had a gun, and I started shooting after he fucking killed her. I failed her. I failed her as a cop, but most importantly I failed her as a daughter. And then I just ran. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to know what a coward I was. I already dependent on you enough, I didn't want you to think that I was so weak, so feeble."

"How can you talk about yourself like that? You are not weak, do you understand me? It's not your fault she died. Listen to me, it's not. And you are defiantly not a coward. You're beautiful."

"Beautiful?" I said scoffing. But when I did that, he turned so angry.

"You don't think you're beautiful? How can you possibly say that?" He said raising his voice.

"Michael calm down. Why do you even care what I think about myself?" I asked, really perplexed at his reaction.

"Because..." But instead of continuing he crashed his lips on mine. I was taken aback by his action. But then I just submitted and lost myself in the kiss. He kissed me with such hunger and dominance. But at the same time the kiss was passionate and sweet. He let go of my arms and instead put one arm around my waist lifting me slightly off the bed and the other he supported himself with. I put my arms around his neck. His full lips send an electric shock coursing through my entire body. I pulled him closer to me, wanting him, needing him. It was amazing. All my troubles and worries seemed to have vanished away. I felt so safe in his arms. So happy. After what seemed like a blissful eternity, the kiss ended and we were both breathless. We just stared at each other unsure of what to do.

"I apologize. I don't know what came over me." He stated letting go of me and rising from the bed.

"You don't have to apologize for anything." I said.

"No, I do. We shouldn't have...It was my fault...We should go to bed, it's been a long day." He said as he walked towards the balcony closing the glass doors behind him. What the hell just happened? I got up from the bed and went into the bedroom and texted Adalia. When she responded I was so relieved. After saying goodnight and saying that we'll talk tomorrow I went to bed feeling confused, and afraid for the city.