Run Poppy Run

Sensitive

Damian

I lapped her blood up as I gently pierced her skin with my fangs. I didn’t have the need to feed as much as I did before, but she thought about how it turned her on ran rampant through my brain.

I made sure to only leave tiny pinholes so it wouldn’t be noticeable. I can’t have her turn ghoul on me. I pulled my mouth away from her neck as a hearty chuckle rumbled out of me.

“W-What’s so funny?” She whispered as I swiped my lip with my thumb.

“Just thinking what it’d look like if you were a ghoul.” I chuckled as her face contorted.

“Come on, let’s go check on Jess.” I slid away from her, making my way to her front door, and opening it for her. She sighed, then followed my lead. We entered the main house; it was awfully silent. There was a note on the counter for Poppy.

“Hey Pop’s, just wanted to let you know that I am bringing your mother home today. We’ll be back shortly. Please stay decent.” I read it aloud as she covered her face with her hands. I flicked the note back onto the counter.

‘Oh, I’m going to kill her.’ She thought as her eyes locked with mine.

“I can do it...” I shrugged as her eyes widened.

“Damian! NO!” She wagged her finger at me as I placed my hands in my pockets. She deserves it... all this would have been avoided if she hadn’t dragged her to the club. Well... maybe not all of it. Jake probably would have still come down and s**t would have hit the fan with him. Ugh, she’s right. I can’t kill her.

My phone ‘pinged’, pulling my attention back. I pulled it out of my pocket.

“Hey, hey! I need cha back at the house. Bring your boo thang!” -Raz

I scoffed as I stuffed my phone back in my pocket.

“Well, it seems you get to... see my house.” I forced a smile as she raised a brow at me.

“My... coworker Raz has requested you over.” I shrugged as I headed to the door.

“I-I’d like to stay and wait for my mom,” she said pleadingly looking up at me. ‘I’m the reason why she was hurt...’ she looked down at her feet as a small tear dripped from her cheek.

I reached out, taking her cheek in my palm.

“No, you’re not the reason this happened.” I rubbed my thumb on her face as she nuzzled into me. “Please, come with me mic rosu, if you don’t...” I removed my hand as she leaned toward me. “I might burn this whole town down to find the asshat who did this to you.”

‘Oh, stop that...’ she whispered as she locked her gaze with mine.

“Poppy...” I stepped up to her, towering over her as she tilted her head back. “I will never stop. You...” I leaned down, my lips brushing against hers. “Are worth EVERYTHING.” I took her lips with mine as she moaned, wrapping her arms around my neck. I lifted her off the floor as I deepened our kiss, her breath a welcoming tickle to my throat. She pulled back as she nodded.

I placed her back on the floor as we headed to leave. She reached into her pocket, pulling her phone out, and sending a text to Jess before she put it back in her pocket.

We quickly approached the dark house, turning to head up the small incline of steps at the front. Her breathing got heavier as flashes of the night she stepped foot on my lot ran through her head. I chuckled as we hit the top, striding to the door.

‘Oh! She’s here!’ I heard Raz’s overly happy thought, causing me to fling my head backward. It seems... there’s more than just Raz in there. I grumbled, flinging the door open as Raz bounced up and down in his chair. Avery stood behind him, arms folded like the brooding lumberjack he was. Mariam was leaning on the counter as her piercing amber eyes landed on me.

“Ah, everyone’s here... GREAT!” I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I entered. Poppy clung to my back as we walked forward.

“Don’t be shy! Show yourself!” Raz clapped his hands as I felt the uneasiness roll off her.

“Come on guys, she has just been introduced to this side of life,” I protested as she stepped out from behind me. If I would have known he had this up his sleeve, I would have had her stay home.

‘Mmmm’, Mariam’s thought hit me as she stared at Poppy. I raised a brow at her as she pushed off the counter and swiftly made her way to us. She grabbed her by her shoulders.

“Mariam...” I growled as Raz pursed his lips. ‘Oh, does she see what I saw?’ I snapped my head at Raz.

“What did you see?!” I hissed as he put his hands up. Mariam released Poppy. She reached up and tucked her long black hair behind her ear.

“She’s a sensitive,” Mariam responded smoothly. Her accent caught Poppy off guard. Mariam was from the Middle East and older than Raz. Not by much. She was also our boss’s bond. She has the power to sense abilities in people because she was an empath before she was turned.

“I-I’m sorry, I’m a what?” Poppy stammered out.

“Are you sure, Mariam?” I cut her off. Mariam turned toward me, nodding. ‘Don’t act like I’m not here...’ Poppy angrily slid her mind toward me. I flicked a look at her, then looked back at Mariam.

“A sensitive is someone who is... how do you say...” She ran an Arabic word through her head at me.

“She’s trying to say a magnet for the supernatural.” I finished for her as she nodded.

“What?” Poppy looked up at me, confused. I sighed. This explains a lot. It explains her smell, it explains her bad luck, and it explains why Darren and Jake were so adamant on getting her.

“You were designed by the almighty to draw the forces of the supernatural to you is what it means,” I grumbled out as Raz shook his head.

“Yes, but not like Mr. Grouchy pants over here is implying. You were born with an overabundance of allure.” He chimed in as Poppy raised an eyebrow. He giggled.

“You’re overly attractive to the supernatural. Your smell, your aura, everything about you draws in beings like us. I noticed it when you walked by me in the hospital... I couldn’t stop salivating!” He wiped his mouth as I glared at him.

“You also attract bad humans...” Mariam cooly said as she took her place back behind the counter. “Do you... have many friends?” She questioned Poppy. She shook her head.

“The only friend I had growing up was Jess...” she mumbled out as she started fidgeting with her shirt.

“Yea, that’s one of the signs of a sensitive. They tend to be isolated.” Avery chirped in, causing everyone to look at him. His voice is something I could never get used to. It was low and gravelly and always in one tone. Raz shuddered as he leaned back, looking up at his partner. Avery flashed a grin down at him as excitement washed over his face.

“Raz... stop with the nasty thoughts. Just take him up to my room already, DAMN!” I hollered as I turned, rubbing my temples. Raz giggled.

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Avery responded, scooping Raz up and heading for the stairs.

“HEY! NOT ON MY SHEETS! I WAS JOKING!!” I yelled as he flipped me off and disappeared.

“I’ll go back and interrogate our prisoner... maybe his screams will drown out... Theirs...” Mariam mumbled as she headed for the basement. Poppy looked at me wide-eyed as sounds started to slip their way from the floorboards to our ears.

“Yea, let’s go back to your place.” I grabbed her, guiding her out of the house quickly.