Chapter 006
1358 Words
Shadows of Desire
"You ought not to be here, Aria."
Though my heart was thumping in my chest, the words came out more sharply than I had meant. Defiant, she stood in my doorway with burning, angry and terrified eyes. I detested her looking like that. That was the reason that infuriated me.
Her chin thrusting up, she crossed her arms. Too awful. I won't be going unless you tell me the truth.
I sucked hard, my hands twisting into fists. I knew something was on its way. She would not let it go, I knew. Still, I was not ready.
I grumbled, stepping back, distancing us more, telling you to stay away. Should she approach too closely and touch me... I came to not trust in myself. Not this evening. Not in line with what transpired.
Her gaze narrowed. I also told you I'm not running away. Not this time.
Damn it, why must she have been so tenacious? So honest? From last night, I could still see her face covered in horror. She ought to detest me. She ought to be terrified of me. Here she was, nevertheless, demanding responses from me in my house.
I said, my voice low and menacing, "You don't know what you're asking for." Once you learn the truth, there is no turning back.
She stepped forward, and my heart skipped. She was rather near. She smelled like something else. I felt her warmth. It was causing me great disturbance.
Then tell me, she urged, staring directly at me. Tell me the reason you evolved into that beast. Tell me honestly what you are.
My pulse was pounding as my body stiffened. She was knowledgeable. She had seen. Hidden was no longer the case. Lies are no longer.
Aria, you are a monster. My voice broke, and my chest constricted. I am the thing dreams are created from. When you have got the chance, you ought to run.
Her eyes softened, agony darting down into their depths. You rescued me. That is not what monsters do.
I laughed cruelly, the sound empty. You do not understand it. You were seeing what I am. What am I able to do? I endanger others. You will be wounded if you stay.
She shook her head, approaching closely with a strong voice. That is not what I believe. You won't harm me.
I stepped back, my heart hurting. You are not aware of that. I am not able to regulate it. As the beast seizes control... Not myself anymore is what I am.
Her fingertips brushed my arm, shocking me. She stretched out. I stumbled, my body stiffening.
Her voice quivering, she said, "I don't care." What you do is not important to me. I just give a damn about you.
My defenses collapsed as my chest contracted. I was helpless to stop her from bursting through.
"Why?," I insisted, in a harsh voice. Why would you risk anything for me?
She stared at me, tears glistening in her eyes. Since I adore you, Damian.
Her comments seemed to me like a stomach strike. My head whirling, I staggered back. No. She is unable to. She is not supposed to.
"Don't say that," I said, terror engulfing me. You have no idea what you are saying.
She moved still another step, her hand tightly gripping mine. I am precisely speaking what I am. I ad adore you. Since your first rescue of me, I have adored you. Since the first time you paid me any kind of importance.
My heart broke open as agony tore over me. "You shouldn't," said You cannot.
She shook her head, her hand getting tighter. Why not? Considering your differences? Given that you are not human? She inhaled shakily. I'm not bothered. You're still you. You are still the man looking out for me. The dude triggered my heart rate.
I closed my eyes, her comments piercing right through. She got it incorrect. She did not know the truth.
"I killed him." Confession tore from me before I could stop it. My body shook and humiliation washed over me. "I killed that man—the one that attacked you."
Her eyes opened and her body stopped. "What?" she asked.
I turned away from her, unable to stand the agony on her face. I went insane. The beast gained control. I enjoyed it; I tore him apart. My shoulders shook and my voice stopped. "Aria, I am a monster." I killed myself. I break down. I am such.
She was still, her face pallid. I waited for her to despise me, scream, and dash.
She lacked, nevertheless. She moved in front of me, her hand raised to touch my face. He was aiming for my death. You came to save me.
I took a stronghold of her wrist. You understand it? I had fun. I delighted in the blood, the power. I intended to pull him apart. And should you not have been there? I doubt whether I should have stopped.
Her eyes were sharp, and she raised her head toward me. You did stop, though, because of me.
I laughed a little bit broken. And what happens when you are absent next time? When I find it impossible to stop?
She came forward, her body pressed against mine, her gaze never turning away from my face. "Then I'll be there." Every time.
My heart hurts, and my will disintegrates. You're insane.
She grinned and her eyes softened. " Maybe. Still, I don't give a damn. Damian, I am not bidding you farewell. Not presently. Never once.
My chest tightened, and my control lost ground. She was overly perfect, too warm, too near. I started to resist once again.
I slanted in, gently, nervously touching hers. Her body tensed as she gasped, and then she melted, and her arms encircled my neck, drawing me in.
My hands grabbing her waist, my heart hammering, I kissed her. She was everything; brightness, hope, atonement. And, while knowing I didn't deserve her, I was selfish enough to desire her.
But the window broke at that point. Glass burst, showering down all around. I dragged her behind me, covering her with my body while my eyes searched the blackness.
Low and deadly, a snarl reverberated throughout the night. My blood froze, my body stiffened.
They'd located us.
I told her stern voice, "Stay behind me." "Do not move."
With wide-open terror, she clutched my arm. "What's happening?"
My senses were flying, and I gasped, "They're here." The smell was blood, decay, and death. They want me. But should they come upon you, they will also murder you.
Her face turned white, and her body shook. " Who??
My heart was squeezing, I stared at her. "The hunters". They come here to murder me, and anybody who is in their path is also targeted.
Her lips widened, terror flickering in her gaze. But the front door sprung open before she could talk, shadows spilling in.
My body changed, my bones cracked as the beast surged inside me and I slammed her behind me. Though I battled to preserve my humanity and manage it, the anger was too much.
The shadows swirled with twisted faces and glistening swords. They arrived. But their eyes were ravenous, they also glanced at her.
I growled, redness in my vision. Nobody would come close to her. Nobody would mistreat her. Not as I was still breathing.
I started forward, my howl rattling the walls as my claws cut through the night.
Aria yelled, cutting through the anarchy.
I spun, my heart halting. She had a shadow in her; its eyes shone and its hand around her neck.
"Damian!": She gasped, terror huge in her eyes.
I surged, my body tearing apart the darkness as it crashed upon us. Nonetheless, it was too late. More shadows closed in, laughing loudly.
They adopted her.
They spoke to my heart.
They also disappeared in the evening, leaving me devastated and alone.
I yelled, the beast seized control and my wrath rocked the ground.
She had left, though.
I arrived very late as well.
- Writer
