Chapter 49: Marked

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror staring at my skinny yet muscular figure. I had pulled my shirt off and was looking at the weird bump that should be my shoulder. The naked skin beneath the black bra was pale and purple. My left was striped with a red spiral up my arm. It started close together then widened as it went up. It still burned. The thought of that dark cloud sent a shiver down my spine.

"Remi," I shouted over my shoulder, "Help me with this."

Remi strolled into the bathroom. The edges of his lips twitched into a slight smile. "We could do this with your shirt on."

"Remember what happened last time? Mom ruined my shirt. Just do it."

He walked over to my left arm. His finger traced the line from my hand up my arm. "What is this?"

Goosebumps from his touch lit my arm. "I think it's from the cloud thing. What do you think it is?"

He shook his head. "It could be what is lifting the Veil." He stood in front of me and grabbed my shoulders. "Are you ready?"

I nodded.

He pushed me up against the wall. His golden hazel eyes sparkled as they met mine. He hesitated a moment. My eyes drifted down to his lips. My cheeks grew red. He planted a hand on the center of my chest, right above my bra. His other hand grasped my right arm. With a quick motion, he pulled my arm in and out. The pop followed by my scream echoed through the bathroom.

I collapsed forward. He caught me and pulled me into him. His arms cradled me as I found my feet again. I took my time. I liked the feel of his arms around me. I was being such a sucker, but I couldn't help myself. The scent of him filled my nose again. I buried my head deeper in his shoulder as the ache in mine lessened.

He rubbed my naked back with his fingers. "Deep breaths," he murmured in my ear.

I couldn't help but smile. He thought it hurt worse than it did. I just kept holding on to him. I like this closeness. No one ever hugged me. Hugging wasn't really a thing between me and Mom. I stood like that as long as I thought I could get away with then pulled away.

"Is it better?"

I nodded. "Thanks."

He hesitated again. I could feel him almost holding his breath. I looked up into his eyes. I never noticed the flecks of gold in them. He lifted his hand and brushed at my jaw.

"Dirt," he said.

"Mmhmm."

"What is going on in here?" Mother said.

I jumped so bad I smacked into the wall behind me, jostling my shoulder. I crumpled forward again, landing back into Remi's arms.

Remi took it in stride. "Dislocated shoulder."

"I see. Where did you go first?" She asked.

"Gem store," he answered.

"Good. Where are they?"

"Backpack," he said.

She arched an eyebrow at us then turned to leave. "Get the other items soon. I don't want you waiting until the last minute like usual," she said as she walked away.

I looked up and was surprised by the giggle that escaped my lips. I clasped my hand over my mouth to shut it down.

Remi smiled. He brushed a stray lock from my face with a finger. "Why don't you shower? I'll get you some ice for that shoulder. His arms fell away. He closed the door behind him as he walked out.

I suddenly felt cold. It was nice having him that close. I don't think I actually enjoyed anything more in my life. I mean, I enjoyed things. I enjoyed my practice fighting, shooting, cookies, and other things like that, but this... this feel was addictive.

I peeled off the rest of my clothes and climbed in the shower. As I scrubbed, I noted my numerous bruises and fresh scratches. That was common. But my mind again landed on the mysterious spiral. It felt... strange, like it had always been there. With that thought, it shimmered white. I blinked. Did I really just see that? I continued to stare, but it stayed its original red color. I snapped out of it and finished up my shower quickly.

I dried and covered up with a towel before I opened the bathroom door. Remi lay on my bed reading a book. It was nothing new, but the image of him there tonight made my insides tight.

"That took you a while," he said.

"I think this mark turned white."

He set the book down. "Really?"

"I think so, at least. Maybe I'm seeing things."

"It's only four AM. You're not tired already, are you?" He asked.

"I kind of am. Did you get the ice?"

He disintegrated into shadows. I took that moment to don a pair of plaid flannel shorts and a tank top for pajamas. I looked in the mirror. I was never self-conscious before, but now I couldn't stop myself. I didn't like my skinny figure in the mirror. It looked like I was trying too hard. I pulled a hoodie over my head. It covered most of the clothing and drowned me in its fabrics. That felt better.

Remi coalesced behind me. I spun to see him sitting on the bed. He patted the spot next to him. I crawled on to the tall bed and lay face down. The weight of the ice pack pressed down on my shoulder. Slowly, the cold seeped in.

"I don't think the sweatshirt was a good choice."

I tried to shrug, but couldn't move too much.

He gently lifted my right shoulder and pushed another ice pack between me and the bed. "I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner." He ran his fingers over the ice pack then across my back.

"But, you're always there," I mumbled into the folds of the bed.

"I know. I just wasn't there this time. You almost got torn apart. Orcs like to play with their food first. I'm sorry you got caught in the middle." He rubbed my back with the palm of his hand.

The knots beneath his hands screamed with pain and pleasure. I was always knotted up from all the practice I did. This felt like utter heaven. No one had ever given me a massage before, let alone Remi.

After a long time, I asked, "Remi?"

"Yeah?" He said absently.

"Are you okay?"

He continued to rub my back without answering. After a minute he finally said. "I think I'm going to take the deal."

"What changed?"

He chuckled softly, a reminder that he was older than he looked. "Nothing really. Everything is the same as it has always been. I just realized something."

"Realized what?" I said sleepily.

He pulled the icepacks off of me. I rolled onto my left shoulder to better see his face. A slight smile touched his lips as he looked down at me. "Come on, let's get you to bed." He pulled the covers back for me to slide in. Once I was settled, he tucked them up under my chin. This must have been what if felt like when a child was being tucked in by a parent. I liked it.

"Realized what?" I repeated.

He smiled gently and brushed the hair from my eyes. "Sleep tight, little one." He walked to the window and pulled the blackout curtains shut, blocking the view the rising sun.

"Remi," I whispered. "Don't leave. I didn't like the darkness." My voice was small and childlike.

"I'm always right here." His figure transformed into shadows and he disappeared.