Lib Novel Page 38
“What about those other times, when I did notice you?”
“Maybe I wanted you to see me in those instances.”
“Why?”
“So you could have fun with your friends without worry. And know that nothing would happen to you because I was watching over you, cub.”
“Cub? You know my name. Why won’t you use it?”
“I heard it by accident. You never gave it to me. I don’t like using things that were never given to me. It’s stealing.”
“You have unique principles for a stalker.” I shift my gaze to his lips. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Yes.”
I lean forward until my mouth is ghosting over his ear and whisper, “I like the idea of you watching over me, demon.”
He keeps impossibly still—hardly moving for several silent moments—our quickened breaths the only sound in the room.
“I’d like to do much more than just watch over you.” Deep, raspy words crash over me like a waterfall. He takes my face between his palms, and even though his touch is light, I can feel every ridge of his skin. “But some things are never meant to happen.”
He continues to cradle my face as he stands up, his massive body casting a shadow as he towers over me.
“You’re leaving?” I ask.
“For the light to shine, darkness must retreat. It’s what’s meant to be.”
His hands fall away, and I watch his broad shoulders as he heads toward the outer doors.
“That’s it?” I call after him. “You come out of nowhere, ask me to patch you up, and then just leave?”
“I wanted to talk to you. Looks like I can’t help but resort to stealing, after all.”
I don’t want him to go. I never know how much time will pass until he decides to show himself again.
“Can I steal you?” I blurt out as he reaches the threshold. “Only for one Sunday morning.”
He halts. “What for?”
“I want to show you something.”
With his head tilted to the side, he watches me for a few moments before answering. “Sunday after next. Eight o’clock. I’ll wait for you in front of your building.”
“Should I give you my number? In case something comes up and you can’t make it?”
He looks at me over his shoulder, and it seems as if his eyes are piercing through mine. “Even if all hell breaks loose, I’ll be there, tiger cub.”
His long braid swishes in the air as he turns away and vanishes into the night.
Chapter 13
People. Hordes and hordes of people meandering between stands overflowing with baked goods, canned products, seedlings, and a surprising number of fruits and vegetables for this early in the season, navigating between the arrayed crates holding more of the same, and lingering over other tables to barter with somewhat frantic-looking vendors trapped behind the endless produce lines. Old, young, with clinging children, they all push at each other as they traverse among the booths, seemingly carried by a current of human mass.
It’s a fucking nightmare.
“So?” Nera asks next to me, her lips wide with a broad smile. “Where do you want to start?”
It’s warm today, and she’s wearing a light coat over a flannel white shirt that she’s tied at her waist, and pale jeans. Her honey-colored hair is gathered in a low bun at her nape, secured there with the red scarf I gave her.