One Foot In & One Foot Out

Chapter 33

4: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for though art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Psalms 23: 4-6

"Fuuck," Jael whispered to herself.

Was this really about to happen? Is she found out? Or is this just another Damien fit?

"JAEL!" The booming voice of Damien said again.

"Yep, this ish is about to go down," her mind said reluctantly. She was honestly too tired for this right now. Couldn't he just wait till tomorrow??

Heavy and determined footsteps made their way towards Jael's office and she couldn't help but feel like she was starting to suffocate; as if the oxygen in the room was running away from the person proceeding to make his way angerly down the hall.

Her blood pressure was beginning to rise as her nervousness flooded her senses, getting out of control like it had a mind of its own.

The "golden hour" light that was once outside signaling that the sun hadn't fully set just yet, was beginning to darken. Almost as if it was threating to bring a dangerous storm about.

Before she knew it, Damien was at the threshold of her office with a stern and irritated expression on his face.

"Do you need something Mr. Mori? You yelled my name as if you did," Jael says with confidence and nonchalance. The nervousness suddenly leaving her and restoring her with a strong "fight or flight" energy. This was the same kind that she felt all those months ago in the restroom of the club downtown when she beat the breaks of the guys that tried to take advantage of her and Lucia.

Jael sat back in her desk chair and waited for his response. She could feel the rush of blood pumping through her veins, expanding and giving life to her muscles making them ready.

She wasn't doing this herself though, it was like her brain or whatever inner Lumiere powers knew that something was going to happen before she did. Jael felt like it was her ancestors moving through her and preparing her for a potential fight.

Jael stared Damien directly in his eyes to challenge him and allow him to see that she was not afraid of him. His manicured eyebrows furrowed a bit and then softened for a second as he chuckled.

"Something is different about you," he stated suddenly.

"Something like what?" She asked placing her crossed arms against her chest and sitting up straight.

"You seem to have more confidence flowing through you right now. And your body seems to be on the defense. Is there a reason for that?"

"I don't know Damien, you tell me. You're the one who was yelling my name and stomping your way over to my office. Obviously, you are upset about something and needing to discuss it. So, I ask you, what do you want Damien?"

Damien smirked at her. The jig was up.

"It has come to my attention that you are not the same as you were a few months ago. You are stronger. More power flows through your veins. It has also come to my attention that you are fully aware of my true intentions for you."