Incubus

14

THE ROOM grew silent as soon as Celia walked in. After all, grams and Aiden had been talking about her.

"Oh hey, Celia! Aiden I were just catching up. You're sick and you didn't tell me?" Grams placed her hands on her hips in a scolding manner.

"I'm fine, grams, don't worry about me. And Aiden was just dropping me off." Celia narrowed her eyes in his direction.

"It sounds an awful lot like you're trying to get rid of me. I'm wounded." Aiden clutched his chest over-dramatically, causing her facade to momentarily slip as a her lips tilted in amusement.

"Oh, don't listen to her! Celia misses you. She talks about you all the time." Grams' smirked, much to Celia's dismay.

The brunette blushed deeply. That old woman!

"Is that so?" Aiden smirked, only causing her to blush deeper.

"I do not!" She protested, but he wasn't having it. The knowing smirk that remained plastered on his lips said so.

"Mhmm sure." Aiden arched a brow.

Celia huffed in frustration. She was about to retort back when grams cut in, "I was going to invite him to stay, anyway."

She turned toward Aiden, "We must catch up, it's been so long! You'll stay for lunch, won't you?" Her hazel eyes twinkled with hope. Aiden glanced at Celia, and she knew he was gone. She pleadingly sent him a look that spelled "Please no," but he only beamed charmingly in grams' direction. "Of course! I couldn't miss out on one of grams' home cooked meals."

Damn his adorable dimples! Celia internally berated herself.

"How exciting!" Grams' gushed excitedly, ushering him into the dining room.

Kill me now.

The elderly woman was difficult to refuse. She was beautiful in appearance with her soft features. Time had treated her well. The woman had long full locks of snow white, youthful amber eyes, and lean build. She always insisted that it was the herbs that kept her looking youthful. But despite her deceptively soft appearance, the woman's assertive nature got her whatever she wanted.

"I'll be right back. I have dumplings almost ready in the kitchen!" Grams' informed the two young adults before she headed excitedly in the direction of the kitchen, leaving Aiden and Celia alone.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand clasp her shoulder. "Why do you want me gone so bad? I told you I wouldn't tell her anything." Aiden was smiling jokingly, yet the underlying hurt in his eyes spoke volumes.

"It's not that, Aiden..." Celia began hesitantly. Something dark flashed in her peripheral vision, causing her neck to snap towards the window. But all she saw were trees.

"Celia, what's going on?" Aiden asked softly, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"You wouldn't understand." She shook her head, lowering her gaze.

"This is about your...problem...isn't it?"

Celia's heart almost stopped.

"Wh-what?" Does he know about Cain?

"Your drinking problem, Celia."

What the hell?!

"Don't pretend last night didn't happen." Aiden continued accusingly.

Oh right! Thanks to Cain, Aiden now believes I'm an alcoholic. This is just fantastic!

"I'm not—" she began to argue, but stopped herself short.

There was no point.

"You know what? You're absolutely right. I need to to stop. I'm a raging alcoholic and I need help." She nodded seriously. She couldn't help the heavy sarcasm that dripped from her words.

"This isn't a joke Cecelia." Aiden crossed his arms as he stared her down. Her eyes zoned in on his bulging muscles.

Focus, Celia!

Clearing her throat, she returned his gaze.

"I'll get better, I promise." She softened her tone, hoping it was convincing enough.

"I hope so, Celia." His eyes, those devastatingly beautiful emerald eyes, were filled with concern. With outstretched arms, he enveloped her in a hug. Her eyes flashed in surprise before she accepted the embrace, a blush dusting her cheeks.

She felt safe and secure in his arms, and so very warm. Her body relaxed slightly in his touch. If only he could hold me forever.

But as her chin rested on his shoulder, the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood up, and the sensation of being watched crept over her. Her eyes flickered over to the window, and her blood suddenly went cold. In crimson red, a message was freshly scrawled on the glass of her window. A message that hadn't been there before.

YOU ARE MINE. KISS YOUR GINGER BOY TOY GOODBYE.

Her heart almost stopped in her chest. The fear of Aiden getting hurt shocked her like icy water. That was, until the fear gradually built up into a furious rage— a raging anger that caused her blood to boil.

OH HELL NO.

Aiden was the last person he should've messed with.

She glared at the window with a deep hatred. 

You aren't touching a hair on his damn head, Cain!