It was as if she'd become a different person. I listened as she described the woman who had attracted her. If what she was telling me was accurate, Scarlett wasn't telling me the truth; she was hiding more than I first suspected.
I examine Aria's face and throat. A set of fingerprints were around her neck, her left eye blacked as if someone had punched her. Her top lip, split. I listened as she told me what had taken place. Did I believe her? No. Something had taken place, what I had yet to find out. I rained kisses over her bruised eye and cut lip. Telling her, I would deal with Scarlett that no one was allowed to lay a single finger on her, telling her how I loved her. The Demon wasn't happy; he hated to hear what I promised her.
I had no choice.
I didn't notice the figure stopping in shock, her mouth falling open, as tears whelmed up, as she witnessed our public display of affection. Nor as she turned, running back down the way she had come, her red hair flowing behind her.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SCARLETT
I sat there on my bed, typing away on my laptop. Trying my hardest to keep my focus on what I was writing. After the confrontation that had taken place between myself and Aria, I was on edge. Letting my Witch come to the surface had been stupid. In doing so, I'd given not only reveal what I was but my family as well. I regretted it, but I would do it again. Aria had every intension in hurting me, I had no doubt that she would have killed me if she had gotten the chance. My Witch was powerful enough to protect me. I hadn't had any other choice to let her do so.
You would think that was bad enough, but to see what I had witnessed. I hated how I felt. Hurt and sick to my stomach was not a word I'd use. I was so confused. How could Lucien tell me one thing, then do the exact opposite? Words are so easy to say. Especially when you don't mean them. Did he even know that I'd seen them? I very much doubted it. I'm nothing but a bloody fool. If he thinks I'm going to believe his lies, he's going to have a shock. I don't share, it's not in my DNA. I'm no body's full. Especially not his. He told me he would deal with Aria; apparently, he was! Just not in the way I thought he'd meant!
After the confrontation that had taken place, I very much doubted he'd be able to stop her from seeking me out again. Then after what I witnessed, with my own two eyes, I have a good idea just how he's been keeping her away from me. I'd rather face her again than seeing and knowing he's doing that. God, how many is he doing it with? Is it just her, or are there more? The thoughts swirling around in my mind were giving me a blinding headache. I couldn't think straight. Fool….
It took mere seconds to realise that he was standing in front of the bedroom door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Our gazes held nether wavering. It was totally unexpected; the surprise must have shown on my face. Though he didn't remark on it. I hadn't heard the knock; he must have just walked in as if he had every right to do so. He was so beautiful, he made me arch inside. I tried to keep my face void of any emotions. I sit there staring at him, a muscle in his jaw flexes. Oh shit, I swallow a lump in my throat and try to appear confident, that his appearance wasn't affecting me. This was the man I'd first clapped eyes. The darkness radiated off of him in waves. He was the darkness to my light. His intense stare was like a burning inferno scorching my skin, setting my body alight. I could feel the hot flush coming over my skin. I knew that if I didn't get out of this room now, he'd be deep inside me before a word of protest would leave my lips. Though any objection would not be real, I didn't seem to have any morals with this man. He was my kryptonite.
I watched with wide eyes as he suddenly pushes himself away from the door, his long legs eating up the distance between us. He wraps his hand around my upper arm, his grip was firm, but not hard enough to hurt me or cause any bruising. He pulls me up and towards him until I was standing there before him. My hand flies up to his chest, stopping any more moment.
"Don't," my eyes closing briefly, his eyes full to my lips, and for the next few seconds, I forget everything, until I remember what I witnessed "how many other women, as well as Aria, have you been with since you told me that I was yours?" I bluntly ask. I wasn't going to beat around the brush. I needed to know, no matter how much it hurt me.
His black eyes flash red, blazing with a fiery heat, "who's been talking out of turn?" he demands through gritted teeth.
"No. One. Told. Me," I tell Lucien, yanking my arm out of his hold, taking a step back. I had to get away from him; otherwise, I'd lose all sense of rational thought "no one's been talking out of turn as you put it. I saw you."
"You saw me?" he questions, "when?" he demands starring at her, waiting for her answer.
"Does it really matter when? The fact is. I saw you with her. Touching her, kissing her. So, tell me, Lucien, have you been with anyone else? Or is it just Aria? After all, you told me you didn't want anyone else and that I was yours? You know it's not a hard question to answer," I stood there staring at him, as a muscle flexed in his jaw.
‘You think you can question me?" he bites out, his body vibrates, taking a threatening step towards me, "when you've got your own secrets."
"Secrets!? What secrets would you be talking about?" I questioned him; it didn't surprise me that Aria had told him that she'd seen me change. This could be a problem, but I hadn't lied to him. Not really, he knew that. After all, hadn't I already told him I was a witch and as well as my family. Until I knew I could completely trust him and that he was mine and mine only. I wasn't going to reveal all our secrets to him. As I was sure, he had his own.
"Aria is black and blue. She said that you attracted her for no reason. That you changed in front of her very eyes," he tells me with coldness in his tone, his teeth clenched so tight I am sure they will crack.
I can't help myself, I laugh, and it's not one of those happy, cheerful laughs. It's more like a peal of manic, paradoxical laughter. The sound seems to echo around the room, swirling around us. Oh, Aria's good, she's played a blinder here.
"Do you think this is fucking funny," he shouts, hands clenching into fists as if trying to rain in his temper. His black eyes flashing red.
"Funny," I shout back, shaking my head as I walk towards him, until we are nearly touching, needing him to see reason," do I look like I'm having fun to you? You need to get your facts right before you start questioning me." I yell at him as I look deep into his black eyes. God, can't he see what she's doing, I need him to see reason. Stabbing him in his chest with my finger, "I told you, warned you, to keep her away from me. That I would defend myself if I had to,"
"Stop fucking poking me," he growls as he leans forward, tugging me closer to him as he grabs my hand in his larger one.
"Oh, did it hurt, the big bad demon," I scoff, pulling my hand away as I step back. I don't want him touching me; Lucien ignores my taut.
"You haven't a mark on you," he tells me, scowling, looking me up and down as if trying to see any marks. He would not see them unless I choose to reveal them.
"So, what the fuck is this then," I yell, pulling down the neck of my jumper, revealing the deep embed red scratches around my throat," do you think I did this to myself?"