Ash & Ichor [Friends with the King of the Underworld rewrite]

o n e

//song: need you tonight - welshly arms

My steps echoed in the dark parking lot as I made my way to my car.

    I quickened my pace.

    I looked over my shoulder again.

    Someone was watching me.

    I glanced over my shoulder and shifted the weight of my large cello case over it. I let out a calming breath as my car made it into view.

    The silver beater car sat under the orange glow of the streetlight. It was a welcome sight.

    Always park under bright lights, my father had always warned me. Make sure that it's as close to the building as possible.

    At the time when I made it on campus in the afternoon, it was the closest space but now, as I walked on my own to the older car after my evening practice, the distance was daunting.

    I half-watched the shadows. I could feel eyes on me.

They were watching my steps, studying my nervous glances.

    My steps quickened. I preferred not to find out who it was that watched from the darkness. The sound of the heels of my shoes filled the open parking lot intensified as I continued.

My pulse quickened. My breath was almost ragged as I pulled the keys out of my purse quickly.

Easy to get to, I remembered, put your fist around it, place the keys between your fingers.

The fear seemed irrational. No one had been attacked on campus. Our town was safe.

But it always starts with at least one...

    I cursed to myself. My car was old. Really old. Sometimes, I relished that I didn't have a car payment. But there were times like now that I wanted a newer car if only for the convenience of unlocking the doors with a remote button instead of placing the keys in the lock on the door.

    Once I was close enough, I almost dashed to the door and plunged the key in the lock.

    As soon as I did, the wind picked up and an unnatural pressure displaced the air around me. The air instantly chilled against my skin.

    I relaxed, smiling. "Hello, Damien."

    "How did you know I was here?"

I turned to him, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose. "We've known each other for years. You think I don't know when you use magic to appear next to me?"

He crossed his strong, lithe arms and leaned against the small car. He looked out of place next to it. With his tailored clothes and Italian leather shoes, I thought he would look more comfortable leaning against a Ferrari. His smile was infectious. "Damn, I thought I really got you there."

I recalled my fears from before. Now that I knew it had been him all along, I couldn't help but think I had been silly. "Stalking is rude, you know."

He smiled knowingly as he looked down at me. Why was I so short?

Damien looked like he belonged to the shadows. His dark, raven-black hair was tossed back, revealing his unnaturally blue eyes. He was one of the most handsome men I'd ever known--something that he used to his advantage whenever he met other women my age.

    No one could resist him. He could have stepped off the cover of a magazine. His ebony skin seemed to glow without flaw.

    Even when he didn't use magic he looked perfect.