Incubus

11

THE SPELL. Celia had to undo the spell. Reversing her mistake was imperative. After all, it was what brought Cain into existence.

This was what she had in mind as she stormed out of the bathroom. Only, she stumbled right into a hard body. Gasping in surprise she stumbled backwards, arm outstretched to break her fall.

Shutting her eyes tightly, she braced herself for the impact. But it never came. A strong arm was wrapping tightly around her waist before she could hit the ground. She looked up, breathing heavily to meet the familiar green eyes of her rescuer.

Her lips were parted in surprise as she stared speechlessly at him.

For a moment she was in shock. Aiden was handsome as ever, with his thick reddish brown hair, well defined face and broad shoulders. Valerie's older brother looked more like a man than the boy she'd seen just a few months ago.

His green eyes seemed to be searching hers too and she wondered what he felt.

Before she knew it she was throwing her arms around him in a joyful hug. He returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around her small frame with his large, muscular arms. He chuckled, burying his face in her hair, "Still clumsy as ever, I see," Aiden chuckled.

Slowly and carefully he placed her back on her feet. She stared up at him, eyes shining with happiness.

The sound of forced coughing forced them to look in Valerie's direction.

"Let's keep it PG, lovebirds!" She called out teasingly and Celia took a step backwards from him, blushing red.

"Umm... So yeah, what are you doing here?" She changed the topic, and he glanced in his sister's direction then back to her.

"I was already planning to come visit the diner today to fix your bike. But Valerie told me about your wild night." He raised a brow.

Celia sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I'm not sure exactly what happened last night. All I know is that I woke up at the home, confused as hell." She lied through her teeth. She knew the truth of what happened-- and it sure as hell wasn't a drinking incident.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed on her head.

"You're injured?" He grew alert, walking closer in her direction. Immediately he was fussing over her, with Celia protesting.

"Shit," he muttered, "I'll be right back with the first aid kit from my car." He stormed out of the diner.

He returned almost as quickly as he left, racing to Celia's side and vigorously cleaning the wound on her head.

"Ow!" She cried and he quickly retracted his hand.

"Sorry Celia, this is gonna hurt. This wound is pretty damn bad. How drunk did you get last night?" He applied some fresh gauze on the wound.

Celia watched him, enjoying seeing this protective side of him. His green eyes were fierce with determination as he placed a bandage on her head.

"I don't know what the hell happened last night. I can't believe you guys got that drunk, you could've been seriously injured or worse," he seethed, beginning to pace.

"Aiden, I..." she began, but he cut her off.

"Please, just be careful." His eyes flashed with something she couldn't place. He seemed pained.

"You and Valerie mean so much to me." He said softly, causing her breath to stagger. For a moment, she felt as though he saw her as more than just a friend.

He gently wiped the cool gauze across the gash on her head, causing her to shudder.

"Thanks Aiden." She smiled softly, meeting his intense gaze. Suddenly, she winced and placed her hand on his shoulder, bracing herself against him for balance.

"Lets get you back home, you need to rest," Aiden's voice was laced with concern. He spied the truck through the glass panes of the diner. "Let me drive you back, you're not fit to in this condition."

Celia rolled her eyes, "I drove here perfectly fine, Aiden."

He countered her argument with a blank look. "You literally had to balance yourself on my shoulder. Whatever happened last night when you were drunk, it looks like you have a concussion."

Celia rubbed her temples and sighed out. She knew he was too stubborn to refuse.

"Fine."