Ruins

Chapter 6

I wake up in Seth's arms on the couch where we'd both passed last night. In this moment, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I truly feel content. I look down at what I'm wearing and the contentment is gone. I'm on day 3 in the same blood coated clothes. I'd never really had a chance to change and now I feel completely disgusting. I gently slip out of Seth's grasp and quietly walk over to one of my favorite parts of my room; my gorgeous walk-in closet.

I pull out a pair of tight, light blue boot cut jeans, a blood orange camisole, a light green cardigan and a pair of black, faux leather boots with decorative silver spikes. Then I grab a cute bra, the matching underwear, because why the fuck not, and a pair of white ankle socks.

I stare at what I'd chosen for a moment, I put a lot of thought into this outfit, which I never really bother to do. Normally I'd have grab whatever was closest and went with it. It's kind of unnerving, the effect Seth is having on me.

I go into the bathroom, eager to get in the shower. Once I'm done, I blow-dry my hair, another thing I rarely do, put on some subtle make-up and straighten my naturally wavy hair, which I almost always do.

When I'm dressed and ready I stand at the door, anxiety raging. I can hear Seth moving around beyond the door, so why don't I just open it? After another moment I finally open the door and walk out into my apartment-like lavender room

Seth is sitting at the dining table, eating cereal from the cupboard he left open, in a bowl, from the other cupboard he left open and a spoon from the drawer he left open. He'd spilled cereal and milk on the counter and the milk carton is still out. I stare at the state of my kitchen in utter dismay. What the hell? He's a fucking tornado! At least he remembered to close the fridge. Small mercies, right? After a second I realized that the fridge swings closed on its own. I sigh in exasperation. He looks up at me and his jaw goes slack. He'd found his room and changed his clothes; he looks pretty damn hot. He's wearing a pair of really nice fitting jeans and a white t-shirt with a long sleeve plaid shirt over top.  

"Wow. Cynthia, you look... wow." He stammers out and I giggle like a little girl.

'What the hell is wrong with me? I am Cynthia Claire. I am the High Princess of the Terainian race. I do not giggle. I didn't even giggle as a child! Ugh, Seth, what the fuck are you doing to me? 

"Not wow. Well, yeah, wow. But what I meant to say was you look stunning. Absolutely stunning. And it's super hot when you giggle baby." I feel my face flush as I look down at what I'm wearing. It's just jeans and a shirt, really, nothing special. I wanted him to like it, but I don't know what to do with complements, I handle criticism much better. 

"Thank you sweetheart. You look pretty damn good yourself." Seth grin up at me as I walk closer to him. He pushes his chair back from the table so I can stand right in front of him. I lean down and kiss him; long and deep.

I jump back with a start when a loud, blaring alarm comes over the PA system. I walk quickly around the table and pick up her PCP.

* ALERT! 35 TERAINIAN LIFE FORMS DETECTED WITHIN 50 FEET! BATTLE POSITIONS! ALERT! 35 TERAINIAN LIFE FORMS DETECTED WITHIN 50 FEET! BATTLE POSITIONS! *

The message flashes on the screen again and again. I drop it back on the table and march into my closet; so much for looking nice today. I come back out less than a minute later in fresh hunting clothes and my favorite black leather heeled boots. I go over to a dresser next and yank open the top drawer. I pull out a chest harness and two leg harnesses.

"You any good with a gun?" I call over my shoulder as I strap the harnesses on; my anxiety and flirtiness long forgotten.

"Not really. Never really needed to be." Seth calls back. I sigh deeply. Of course not. 

"I'll change that, just not right now. Are you good with any weapon? Any at all? I've got everything." I call as I yank open a second drawer, pull out 4 handguns, load them and then strap them into the harnesses.

"Not really." Seth calls, sounding apologetic.

"That's fine. You and Damon will sit this one out." It's a wonder how I can go from an anxious, in love teenager, to a cold, determined warrior so fast. Sometimes it makes my head spin how quickly I can shift. 

"Well, we could fight in wolf form."

"Not a chance. There are 5 humans on this ship and not a single one of them knows that it's even possible to have a half human, half Terainian. I don't feel like enlightening them while we're on the battle field. That's how focus is lost and serious injuries occur." Seth stares at me, and I know if I look up I'll see a mixture of awe and horror, so I don't look up. I pick which knives to line my boots with while he stares at me.

"What do you mean they don't know? How have you hidden it from them? The fact that you rarely sleep, you rarely eat, you drink Cyliumis, you are better than them in literally every aspect. How did you hide that? All of you hide that?"

"I only have to sleep when I'm letting the Cyliumis heal me or when I want to. Emphasis on want to. Same goes with eating. I eat and sleep when it's convenient. When it'll help me reassure them that I'm fully human. The others do the same." I finish securing the knives in my boots and stand up to throw my hair into a quick ponytail. Seth stares at me some more, and it's understandable why; I had fully transformed myself in under 5 minutes from a pretty teenager to a hard-ass warrior.

The siren keeps blaring overhead and I hear Derek's heavy footstep running down the hallway before stopping at my door. He knocks on the door quickly and waits for an invitation to enter.

"Come in Derek." I call, watching Seth, who is still sitting at the table. They haven't seen each other since D was 7. Lexi must have told him that Seth and Damon are here, but it'll still probably hit a nerve to see him. 

"Cee, we gotta probl... Is that Seth Anderson?" I look over at him. He's staring at Seth in confusion and awe. She didn't tell him. 

"Yeah, didn't Lex tell you yesterday? Whatever, what's the problem? Other than the Terainians outside."

"Well, other than that, there's no problem."

"Great." Derek is still staring at Seth. "Battle position. Now." Derek straightens his posture immediately. Sometimes I have to thank God for Alpha orders.

"Yes ma'am." He turns and walked stiffly yet briskly from the room. Seth raises an eyebrow at me.

"Ma'am?"

"They all call me ma'am when I get authoritative, but at least it means I know they're listening. Anyways, I've got some Terainians to go obliterate."

"Right. I love you." Seth says and kisses me softly. When he pulls back I'm staring at him. "What?" I hesitate for a moment. I've never said this to him before.

"I love you." I say back.

"No 'too'?" Seth asks and I shake my head. I hesitate for another moment.

"'Too' makes it less personal. Makes it sound more like repetition and less meaningful." Seth nods slowly. "Whatever. I don't have time for this right now. I've got work to do. I'll see you in a bit." I lean down and kiss him quickly before I run out the door.