Guardian

Strong fingers dug into my sides and then released. Dig. Release. Dig. Release. Like a cat kneading a pillow. It hurt like hell, even if he hadn’t pulled his claws out yet. Low rumbling growls continued as he slipped his teeth down to my collarbone.

I swallowed desperately, wanting to scream, but knowing that would only make it worse. This had to be a joke gone wrong. They had shoved me in garbage, called me names, spread rumors, even had their pet humans beat the crap out of me before, but this…

I flinched as his hand slid away from my mouth and dug into my hair, yanking it back and exposing my neck. With wide eyes I stared at Matt.

His usually brown eyes had gone golden and intent. The muscles on his neck stood out as he closed those glowing orbs and took a long slow breath through his nose. His whole body trembled, every muscle quivering. I wanted to stop my own quaking, but my brain was of no help, sending me images of his eyes snapping open and his head rearing back. Those canine teeth would dig into my neck and tear. The blood would spray, my body would twitch a few times and then he would rip me open. And there it was. Breakfast.

I swallowed convulsively again, trying to keep the terrified bile from my mouth.

“Ugh,” he moaned, taking in another breath, and his fingers clenched, pulling painfully at my roots.

Slowly his eyes opened.

“Stop being afraid,” he bit out as his grip tightened on my stomach. I don’t know when, but he had found the hem of my shirt. His hot palm was pressing into my stomach, crushing me against him.

My heart was going to explode. I was going to pass out. Or throw up. I shut my eyes, but the tears wouldn’t stop. I never cried in front of them, but I couldn’t stop the flow.

He drew in more ragged breaths. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered again, sounding almost desperate.

How could I stop? I wished I had a switch that could turn it off, but there wasn’t. My body knew death was close and nothing would convince it otherwise.

“Don’t be afraid,” I jumped as his breath scorched my neck, over my pulse. His nose trailed up to my temple and buried in the hair there.

He slid his cheek down my face, rubbing away tears. I shivered. “Don’t be afraid…of me,” he breathed into my mouth, before pressing his lips against mine.

What?!

My eyes flew open as his tongue tickled. I squeaked.

His eyes opened too, staring at me. Human brown.

He snorted and shoved me away. I fell to the ground, cool air whipping around me. He was laughing. I glanced over. No. He wasn’t just laughing. He was doubled over, barely able to draw breath through the guffaws.

He had been playing with me?

“Your face…” he blurted before collapsing back into the fit. He took a few breaths, obviously trying to calm down as I glared at him.

Suddenly, he sobered. He was looking down at me as he whispered, “Do you actually think I would give you the time of day, witch?”

I had been seriously afraid for my life, and it was a friggin’ joke?!

Anger boiled through me, turning my cheeks red and clenching my jaw. I felt a tingle in my belly that spread up to my chest and down my arms. It rested, sparking in my fingers. That was it.

I breathed, my teeth aching along with my nails as the raw power shifted through them. I stood up as the wind gusted, blowing my hair into my face. It didn’t matter. I didn’t need to see him. I could feel his aura, bloated and swelling with his own self-importance.

I wanted to twist his bones black. I wanted to boil his blood and listen to him scream. I gnashed my teeth as the wind grew stronger and I could see his yellow eyes through my whipping hair.

He could smell the magic. He felt threatened. Good.

He tensed as the smell of ozone filled the tormented air. It was painful, the magic building in my fingers. My bones ached with it. My blood was on fire. I breathed deep, pulling my arm back as the heat grew in my palm. I didn’t have to look to see the red glow growing there.

He didn’t move. He wasn’t afraid.

I screamed and flung it at him. The bench below him exploded. The maintenance shed behind him turned black, scorched. But he stood, unharmed. Haughty.

I slumped, drained.

I didn’t see him move.

Suddenly I was pinned to the shed, fighting a wave of dizziness.

“In what world did you think you could ever hurt me?” he hissed, in my face. “You’re pathetic,” the whisper cut through me deeper than claws ever could.

I looked up, he was so close. Real anger was there, his eyes faintly glowing. He pushed harder, and I felt my bones scream in agony, ready to break.

“Grow up, witch.” He finished.

And he was gone with the sound of the roof top door slamming. I slumped down, trying to calm my racing heart. A small miserable laugh escaped me as light rain began to patter. I didn’t need him to tell me I was pathetic. I picked up a piece of the exploded bench.

I couldn’t even touch him. My magic was that weak.

I dropped it and it thunked softly on its brothers.

“Really pathetic,” I whispered, trying to ignore the tears that mingled with the rain.