The Immortal Cure

18. Don't

Even though I was fully capable of walking, Duke held an arm around my waist the entire trip up to my room, only letting go when he opened my bedroom door for me. I didn't look at him, far too embarrassed as I sauntered over to my closet

"Did someone take the clothes from my bathroom?" I asked, spotting the missing items

Duke nodded "Probably Riley, he has a habit of compulsive cleaning during nightfall" He explained

I pulled out a pair of black sweatpants and a loose T before retreating to the bathroom to change. I tried my best not to look at my neck, subconsciously aware that a bruise had already formed

Once dressed, this time, I paused as I passed the mirror, tempted. I released a sigh and hesitated, taking a slow glance as my finger lingered on the light switch

Even without direct investigation, I could see four distinct bruises where Janey had her fingers, I felt nausea rise and that was enough for me. I quickly looked away, pushed the door open, switched the light off and exited.
Duke was sitting in his chair, like a nightmarish shadow in the corner as I walked to the bed, shuffling myself into the covers eagerly.

Tossing and turning for about ten minutes, I shifted slightly in the direction of Duke where he sat silently.
Oddly, he was watching me, the lighting from outside the window reaching only half of his face as he sat leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest

"Can't sleep?" He assumed in a low tone

"No" I replied quietly

"You slept the entire drive home, for a moment there it did feel as though my arm went numb while you used me as a pillow" He told me, somewhat playful

"If you can't tell, I'm trying not to roll my eyes" I sighed back

As my eyes searched the dark, following shadows, he stood up and moved towards me, stopping at my bedside

I bravely glanced up at him and suppressed a grin

"I dare you" He darkly replied, leaning his arms forward on the edge of the bed.
His tone only enticed me more, a dangerous game afoot

"I can take risks" I lied

The moment I had said it, his face leaned closer, his eyes and face becoming much clearer, darker, tempting. My expression returned serious as I watched him closely, waiting for what he would do next, and then my lips spoke unintentionally

"Why do your eyes turn black?"

His gaze turned serious like mine had, and he slowly edged back from me.
I'd asked a personal question and I could see instantly that it had caught him off guard, ruining our small flirtatious episode.

He pulled back entirely from the bed and took a step back, but looked down at me.

"It's an instinctive reaction we have to intense and uncontrollable emotions" He answered honestly, moving to sit on the edge of the bed "Were you watching when Jaymi and I.." He trailed off, but I knew what he was talking about

"No, I looked away" I replied as he kept his eyes ahead, away from me.

I remembered holding my head down as I heard the cracks of dust fill the room - some of which still scattered lightly across Duke's hair and clothing.

"I don't think I could watch a life end.. in that way" I told him as he twisted his head towards me, his eyes meeting mine again

"You should sleep" He whispered, his face blank again, emotions turned off

"I can't" I replied in hope of stopping him from moving away from me.

I wanted was to ask him to stay close, I felt safer with him close, I felt comfortable and secure, but I knew that was too candid, it was too suggestive of my need for him in a way that was unthinkable.