My eyes fluttered open, meeting bright green ones almost instantly. Maeve smiled down at me and brushed crimson hair behind her ear.
"Hey! Welcome back!" she said. I sat up sharply, realizing I was tucked in a bed, most likely at the BnB. Maeve was the only other one in the room and like me, she wore a white nightgown. I didn't recall changing or even waking up previously, leaving the conclusion I had her to thank for the new apparel.
"Where's Kade?" I asked frantically. I made my priorities clear with the question, which sent a mischievous glint into the witch's eyes.
"Calm down. My aunt tended to his bullet wound and he's asleep in the room next to this one. Odis is across the hall... knocked out like a baby. As far as I know Vivian's asleep too. Right now it's just me and you," she laughed. I was grateful that she stayed in here until I woke up, but also upset that she did. I didn't want to be the reason she suffered from sleep loss.
"There's some leftover soup that Vivian made downstairs if you want some," she added. I denied wordlessly. I was too fatigued and unfocused to eat. Something else was gnawing at my stomach but I didn't know what.
"Maeve... go get some sleep. I'll be alright," I mumbled. I still had a mini headache that, although it was dark, felt like someone was shining a bright light in my eyes.
"Stubborn... just like Kade," she groaned. She headed for the door and paused just before leaving. "That was really impressive out there. It looks to me like you're getting more familiar with those powers of yours. Soon enough, you'll be an expert." I was hushed and speechless, unable to respond to a compliment so meaningful to me. She was right, though, I felt like I was getting the hang of them every time I used them. If I wanted to properly defend myself, becoming an expert was the next best thing I could do.
Maeve left and took what remaining luster there was with her. I stared at the ceiling for the longest time, thinking about Kade and what occurred out on the street. His madness was unleashed, at least the little he had was, and it affected me drastically. The pain was almost unbearable, but how come? According to what I'd been told, I was one of the most powerful supernaturals ever to exist so how did a little madness make me feel so sick and pained? Was it because I was never exposed to it? If Kade continued to irresponsibly let it out like that, I wasn't sure how much longer I'd last, especially if I was affected with the same symptoms every time.
For some reason, I gained the sudden urge to go see him, even if he was sound asleep or restless with pain. I was shocked at my lack of hesitance as I rushed to the door and peeped out into the dark hallway. According to Maeve, everybody was asleep and I was sure she'd be passed out any second. I wasn't worried about waking Kade, but I wanted everyone else to enjoy their night's sleep. My bare feet tiptoed over the slick wood and to the next door over. My hands were a bit shaky but I turned the knob anyway and cracked open the door, squeezing into the dark room without a second thought and shutting it noiselessly.
Kade was indeed passed out, and I lost my breath when I saw him. He was shirtless, a hand on his chest and the other arm behind a pillow. His left shoulder was neatly patched with bandages, but his hair was still a mess, disheveled like usual.
I'd forgotten what I'd come for as I became captivated by the sight. He looked peaceful and almost... angelic, ironic for someone who was part demon. I snapped out of my drooling trance seconds later and edged over to his bed.
It was kind of embarrassing to be wearing a nightgown with nothing but underwear underneath. I pulled it down the best I could, though, and I settled on the side of his bed carefully.
The covers were pulled down to his hips, where the hem of his pants had slipped down to reveal a little too much skin. A blush struck my cheeks as I tried to look away and calm my pounding heart.
"Kade?" I called out. It obviously didn't work, not since I'd said it so quietly. So I tried again, louder as I tapped his good shoulder. "Kade!"
He jerked awake, eyes closed for awhile as he moved his arms. The one behind the pillow slipped out and his hand landed on my waist, making me flinch with surprise. His other hand rubbed his eyes as he groaned and squinted at me.
"Bella?" He yawned. "What are you doing in here?" His voice was scratchy with drowsiness, but the huskiness it held sent goose bumps across my skin.
"I-" My voice drifted and my words became lost as I thought about his question. I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to say or why I wanted to come in here. I just... did.
I looked down at the hand still on my waist which he apparently hadn't noticed yet. He still squinted at me... waiting.
"I... just wanted to talk you," I mumbled. He sat up and fluttered his eyes to gain more consciousness. He combed the hair out of his eyes and twisted his neck. My eyes drifted back down to his flexed stomach, my breath hitching again at the sight. I hastily looked away and pointlessly strived to calm myself. I was going to have to look back at him.
"You should be asleep," he said. He lifted his knees and folded his arms on top, then settled his face into them.
"I can't sleep," I whispered.
"Why? Is it because of what happened at the bridge? Look, Bella... I'm sorry I lost it again but I was just angry at the guy. I didn't realize it was going to affect you too..."
"Why didn't you stop? Maeve even told you you were gonna kill me but you kept going," I mentioned.
"Because I couldn't stop! It's not like I can just switch the madness on and off anytime I want," he answered. He sounded upset and angry, but not necessarily at me. He sounded infuriated by his actions and guilty at what he did.
"I'm not mad... not anymore. I forgive you, Kade. No need to over apologize," I mumbled. I wasn't lying, either. It was like I was only mad when he was losing his mind again.
He uncovered his face and looked at me strangely. "Why do you do that? Why do you forgive me for every wrong thing I do? I almost killed you... twice! Yet, you still continue to be my friend and treat me like I've never done anything wrong. Why? Why, Bella?"
That was sudden but my response wasn't. He had a point but I really wasn't sure why I did what I did. I'd been doing things I never thought I'd be doing but why this one?
"Maybe it's because I know you're not a bad person; you don't want to kill me. Or maybe it's because I like you so much that I can't bring myself to hate you," I said. The last one was supposed to be a tease but he remained serious.
"I've never had a person do what you've done. You treat me so... so... generously, even though you know what I am. I've hurt people, Bella, and you don't seem to care," he said.
"You're right... I don't. I don't care where you came from or what you've done. I know now that you're not a bad person, not anymore. Your intentions are good, Kade. When will you realize that?" I rested a hand on his warm shoulder, amazed at how smooth his skin was. He looked at my hand and then looked at me.
"Who are you, Bella Astor? Why has someone like you come into my life?" he whispered. Based on his look and tone, he was lost in something, whether it was my eyes or his own head.
"I'm just a Boston girl who was trapped in the wrong time period and discovered by an unsuspecting warlock," I joked. He actually smiled this time and laughed with me.
Both my legs were pulled onto the bed and I was closer to him than I'd originally thought. I stared down at my curled fingers and tensed so hard I was convinced my muscles would lock up. The silence that followed was so awkward I couldn't help but cringe internally. I wanted to say so much but my mouth was dry. I was nervous and trembling mildly, but I wasn't cold or scared. I felt trapped but it was nowhere near being a bad feeling, just something that perplexed me in more ways than one.
Kade must've noticed my awkwardness. "You didn't come in here to remind me of something that happened over an hour ago," he whispered. I was looking at him but I could tell he was focusing on my eyes.
He was right, he was so right. But why did I come in here? There had to be a reason so why didn't I know it? "How's your shoulder?" I squeaked out of nowhere. It wasn't at all what I wanted to say but it was the only thing that popped in my head.
I glanced back up at him as he studied his bandaged shoulder with a displeased look. "Sore as hell, but with my fast healing, the wound should be gone in a day or so," he said. I nodded, but on the inside, I was slapping myself numerous times in hopes of ridding whatever was trapping me. There was something I wanted to say so badly but I just couldn't.
"You didn't come in here to ask about my shoulder, either," Kade pointed out. I flinched internally and tried to scramble up another dumb excuse. To my dismay, nothing came to mind.
"To be honest... I don't really know why I came in here," I whispered, gazing down at my hands again. I probably should've thought it through more before deciding to go see him. I only put myself in an awkward situation and woke him up for a reason I wasn't aware of.
His hand suddenly came into my view as it took mine and held it gently. "You're someone who is full of spontaneous actions, you know that? They never cease to amaze me... and neither do you," he whispered. I met his serious eyes and swallowed hard, blushing and speechless. Why'd he have to go and say something like that? Now I was completely lost in his words and unable to think straight.
He touched his forehead to mine and managed to keep eye contact as a hand placed itself on my burning cheek. My chest fluttered, triggering the heated sensation to spread across my skin. "You make it hard to let you go. I don't know if I'll be able to deal with your absence," he breathed.
"I'm still here, aren't I?" I whispered. I didn't know I was capable of such a nice comeback, but I was glad when I said it accidentally. It felt right... and it earned me a smile.
"Good point," Kade said delicately, as if speaking too loudly would ruin something. His lips closed in on mine but didn't connect. The only reason being a damn knock at the door. I automatically clenched my fists and gritted my teeth when he pulled back. He didn't look too happy either, considering we'd been interrupted three times and not once had he given me a successful kiss. I was on the verge of tears when he stood up to check our visitor and almost screamed out loud. I was already doing it inside my head.
I cooled only slightly when I saw Maeve peep her head in. "Have you seen Bella? She's not in her room! I went back to see if she wanted some extra blankets since it's getting really cold out, but she's gone!" she spat frantically. I felt bad for the anger I was holding against her at that point, she was only worried about me.
Kade stepped back and opened the door wider, then pointed at me with a vexed look. Maeve covered her heart and laughed with relief. "Oh thank God!" she said. I rushed over to her and avoided eye contact with Kade for some reason. I didn't want the awkwardness to get any worse so evading it was best. If I got out quick enough with Maeve, maybe she wouldn't ask as many questions, especially if I convinced her I was too exhausted to answer any.
When we were out in the hall and I heard Kade's door close, my heart cracked slightly. Maeve... bad timing, woman.
"What were you doing in his room?" she asked suddenly, following me as I headed back into my room. I informed her it was only because I was concerned and wanted to check on him, not even lying because I was actually worried. She was convinced, thankfully, and as we entered my room again, I noticed the extra blankets she mentioned sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay. If you get cold, just wrap up with these," she said cheerfully. I nodded solemnly as she headed out and closed the door behind her. My anger gradually built up again when I thought about what happened. Three times... three times we've been interrupted! Can't I just catch a break?
I eventually settled back into bed and allowed my mind to become hazy. I was out of it in minutes, lost in the faint spark of a dream. It never came, however, at least I don't think it did. Something odd happened but I wasn't convinced it was a dream. It felt too real, but I was too tired to confirm that allegation.
As I was facing the wall, I could've sworn I heard the opening and closing of a door, then felt the other side of the bed sink. An arm fell over my side as the sheets rustled and something like hair tickled my neck. Was I imagining the touch of someone? The feeling of them lying next to me and embracing me? Was I that desperate? I'd never had a dream follow up something that happened so soon.
The only thing that convinced me it wasn't a dream was the touch of rough bandages against my back, just below my left shoulder.