Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 19

(Andy)

As soon as I broke away from Magnus's muscled arm, it felt as if all the warmth had left my body. 

I could almost hear my body whimper from the loss of contact and I had to clench my fists to get a hold of myself.

I stood and watched as he stepped off the fence and stood before me with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Looking at him now in the light of the lamps, I swore I could see a bit of hurt in his hazel eyes. 

I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.

"Thank you for the chat Andy and….don't worry, my lips are sealed. I can walk you back if you like?" as he gestured to the walkway.

"Uh no, no I'll be fine from here. But I will probably see you tomorrow for lunch again, right?"

A small smile curled onto his face but I could still see sadness in his eyes. 

I felt a pang in my heart because I knew it was my doing.

I’m such an i***t.

For some reason, I just couldn't bear the thought that I had hurt him so I stepped a little closer and laid my hand on his arm and my tummy immediately wobbled at the contact. I could feel his defined muscles ripple under his jacket at my touch and I had to really dig deep not to give them a little squeeze.

God, what is wrong with ME!? Get it together girl!

He was looking at me questioningly and I almost forgot what I was going to say.

"Thank you for helping me earlier and for what you said back there. I really did need to hear that and I think I have made my decision." Before I could convince myself not to, I stood on my toes and quickly pecked him on the cheek in thanks.

Immediately my face began to burn as he stared at me as if I had slapped him. His gaze immediately became heated and as he reached for me, I quickly stepped away and bid him goodnight.

As I walked, I looked back and gave him a small wave which he slowly returned. He looked a little dazed standing there and I couldn't help the little giggle that took over my lips.

I felt him watching me for a bit before he turned and went in the direction of the barracks.

The image of his face was still imprinted on my mind and he looked as if he wanted to devour me whole. His eyes were bright and hungry and I don't know why…..but I liked it. I liked the way it made my stomach roll and I relished in it for a few moments before checking back into reality. 

I breathed out shakily and quickly made my way back to my family and before the lamps went out for the night.

I reached the house and as I turned in, Gus was standing in the doorway, watching the night intently.

"Oh Andy, thank goodness! I was about to come looking for you. Worried something might have happened," he fussed as I walked slowly up the path.

I stayed silent until I reached him and I looked up into his worried features.

"I'll do it."

"I'm sorry? You'll do what, child?"

"I'll go to the Archivio and I'm taking Yann with me."

He looked me over and then finally gave me a small smile and nod. 

"Okay, dear," and he led me back into the warmth of the house.

……………………

Morning couldn't come any sooner as I tossed and turned throughout the night.

Images of my parents struggling through the last moments of their life flashed before my eyes and haunting figures chased me endlessly. It felt like a whole week had passed but it had only been a couple of days.

I groaned as the neighbourhood rooster sang its morning song and I rolled out of bed. I sat there for a good 2 minutes in an attempt to hype myself up but failed. 

"Right," I said out loud. I wasn't going to sit here and allow my tiredness to dictate my day so as I went through my morning staff-training, I listed everything I was grateful for. By the end of it, my heart was pumping and I felt my mind focus. 

Darkness still lingered at the back of my mind but now I felt that I could make sense of it. I was no longer afraid of it and it had no power over me. 

Atleast not today.

I left Yann outside his classroom and made my way to our building but then I remembered I needed to get something out of the way. I had been putting it off, although unintentionally, but it needed to be done and I would feel a lot better once it was off my chest. I had thirty minutes to spare so what the heck.

Without stopping, I made a left turn and headed in the direction of the next neighbourhood. If I was quick, I might still be able to catch him in time. Walking up to the house, I smoothed my hair back and tucked it behind my ears to tame my wavy locks. I mustered what little courage I had left and lightly knocked on the old wooden door. I knocked again and watched as a few flecks of paint peeled away and into the wind. 

Just as I was about to give up, the door swung open and there stood a shirtless Saleem. Water dripped down from his hair and onto his beautiful brown skin and it took all my willpower not to follow it down with my eyes. He looked a little stunned so I thought I'd lighten the mood…

“Good morning. Do you always greet your visitors this way?” I smiled cheekily. 

“No. Why would I do such a thing?”

Okay. I guess he can’t take a joke this early in the morning...

“Uh nevermind. Um do you have a minute? I’ve been meaning to speak with you but never found the time.”

He looked over my shoulder to gauge the time of day and eventually nodded. I followed him into the kitchen and sat at the lonely barstool. 

“Would you like a coffee? I’ve made enough for two.”

“Yes please. Black, thank you. And maybe a shirt, too?” I chuckled. 

He looked at me confused and then clicked on to what I was saying and jogged around the corner to find one. 

Good Lord, I seem to be surrounded by some hand-chiseled men these days, I whistled to myself.

He made it back, dressed in his Watch shirt and served out the steaming mugs. He leaned against his pantry and stared at me expectantly. I’m really starting to think that he isn't a morning person.

Well...here goes nothing…

“So I wanted to talk to you about our ‘pairing’. How do you think it’s going so far? I mean, I know we haven’t had much time to get to know eachother but I just want to know your thoughts?”

I felt my palms start to sweat so I quickly grabbed my mug and swallowed a mouthful. It burned as it went down, making my eyes water, but I was way too nervous to care. 

He looked a little taken aback that I would ask such a thing and stepped closer. “I don't know what you mean. Why do you ask?”

My heart began to pitter patter and I nervously bit my lip. “I just would like to know. Why do you pursue this - as in, us?” 

He walked forward, put his mug down and leaned on the bench so that he was eye level with me.

“Andy. Stop the bull. We now have 15 minutes before we both start our jobs. Just say what you mean, it’s okay.” 

He was so close that I could smell the coffee in his breath and see the colour swirl about in his eyes. I can see why the ladies were always after him- he was devilishly handsome, especially up close.

But nothing compared to….

I pulled myself out of this little distraction and took a breath before I looked him back in his eyes.

“I don't think this is going to work,” I said quietly. 

He took a minute to process what I said before he furrowed his brow and stepped back. 

“What? Why? You haven't even given it a chance? Am I missing something here?” he let out.

“Look, Saleem, I understand where you are coming from but I just don’t think I can make it work. I have a lot going on and I have Yann to think about and I don’t think it’s a good time for me,” I reasoned. 

I stood to my feet because he was pacing now and I felt like he was going to lose it. 

I quickly grabbed his hand and led him to the couch and seated us both down. He looked lost, so I held onto his hand and stayed quiet. 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have come first thing in the morning. Do you want to continue this another time?” I whispered. 

What I said seemed to pull him out of the haze because he quickly turned to me with a proposition. 

“Give me a month to show you who I am. We can go on dates and I will make time for it. No distractions.”

“Saleem, I'm sorry. Plus I leave for the Archivio tomorrow and I don't know when we will be back.”

“That won't be an issue.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because I’m coming with you. They asked me to pick out a team to escort and receive training at the Archivio. Even though I advised strongly against it.”

I thought I could wriggle my way out of that one but looks like he had an ace up his sleeve. And to top it off, I began to feel the low drum of that blasted headache.

“Saleem, I am sorry. I truly am. I don't want to string you along when you could be dating someone else. Someone you deserve.”

I felt like such a horrible person right now but this guy was just not hearing what I was saying. To be honest, I’d prefer hand to hand combat with a Lycan rather than this.

He sat there quietly so I stood to leave as I didn’t want to be late for work. 

“Thank you for your time Saleem. I need to head off now but I hope you know it was never my intention to hurt you. I hope we can atleast  be friends.” I gave his shoulder a small squeeze and turned to leave.

Just then, I felt his hand lace through mine and he spun me around and into his chest. His other hand found its way to the back of my neck and he slowly moved it down to the dip in my lower back and pulled me flush against him. I was too shocked to even move. Saleem was always known to be very reserved and I had no idea what had gotten into him.

“Saleem…”

“Tell me you feel nothing, Andy. Tell me you feel nothing and I will stop.” His eyes were locked onto my own and he leaned down so our foreheads were touching. He slowly leaned down and before I knew it, his mouth was on mine. 

His lips were soft and warm and his scent was heavy and foreign. His hand untangled from our fingers and he used it to cup my face so that he could get a better angle in while my own moved between our chests. My body began to tingle and I could feel a warmth spreading but it felt...uncomfortable.

My body suddenly remembered feeling a similar warmth that brought this warmth to shame.

That warmth…was Magnus.

Immediately I felt my body tense up and it was as if I was dumped into a cold shower. 

Any desire I had in the kiss was gone and I quickly pulled away. 

I could feel my cheeks start to redden as I stood there shocked and confused. I had no idea what just happened but I needed to get out of here.

“Um..uhh...thank you?” I spluttered and quickly ran out the door before he could say anything else. 

My heart was racing now and I ended up sprinting all the way to my office, desperate to find safety.

~~~~~~~~~~