Chapter 13 - Not Too Surprised

Valentina:

I blink my eyes and stumble when I see the three other figures standing beside me. This time the figure in the white armor is not wearing her helmet. The female is beautiful with long blond curls, blue eyes and pouty lips. She’s speaking to me and the others, but I’m having difficulty hearing what she’s saying. It’s only when a bright figure appears beside her that everything becomes clearer. The figure vibrates as a booming voice resonates from its center, “It is time, my daughters. It is time for us to wash the world of its corrupt humanity and create a better one.”

My chest vibrates beneath my armor as my wings flutter and we rise.

The scene fades at that moment, to be replaced by another.

I run and run, but they keep coming after me. Chest heaving, I look back to see Wendigo’s hungry face. His fangs protrude like sharp knives, and his eyes glow with unholy light. Heart pounding wildly, I jump over boulders and through the foliage, feeling the sting of branches as they cut my skin, but no matter how hard I run, it seems to move closer.

My hair flutters around me as I hasten my steps. Unfortunately, I trip on a branch and stumble to the ground. My ears thrum as I try to rise, but before I can, my hair is gripped tightly, and my head is tilted back until I’m facing the monster. He gives me a sinister smile and growls…

Sitting up on the bed, I grip my throat tightly and sigh with relief when I see that it was just a nightmare. Breathing harshly, I inhale in and out until my breathing steadies. Though I am still shaky, I manage to gain control of my fear and lie back down.

I look out the window, seeing that it’s still shadowy outside, which means that it’s early in the morning.

Though I was obviously having a nightmare, I’m shaken by the notion of what would have occurred if Michael hadn’t been there to save me.

I’m so caught up with what just happened that it takes me a moment to realize where I am. I look around Michael’s room and cringe. I remember coming to his home and begging him to take me. Images of what we did the night before rush through my mind, making my thighs clench with awakened desire.

I glance around, but Michael is not in bed. I’m sure he’s as freaked out by what we did as I am. Looking down, I see a fresh set of clothes on the foot of the bed.

My legs shake as I rise from the bed and head to the bathroom.

Once I’ve showered and brushed my teeth, I begin to feel more human. Jaw tight, I sit on the edge of the bed and weave my fingers through my hair, trying to calm all of the emotions coursing through me.

I can’t believe that I came to Michael’s house and seduced him. He looked like an avenging angel with his beautiful ivory wings spread out behind him, his bare chest gleaming in the moonlight and his eyes glowing like beacons in the night. I was a goner as soon as I touched him. I wanted him so badly that I didn’t care what he did to me.

A blush spreads across my face as I remember how his tongue felt as he tasted me. It was sinfully delicious. It’s shocking how sensual he is, considering that he’s an angel. I guess all species have needs, regardless of what they are. I also can’t believe that I fell asleep. Ugh, I’m such a newb. It’s not like I’m some virgin who hasn’t had a guy go down on me before.

I guess I’m embarrassed because now that I’m sober, I realize that I took advantage of Michael. I mean, I recall how reluctant he was and how insistent I was.

Seeing that I have to face him, I head down to his kitchen and find him sitting on the patio outside, sipping some coffee. The patio reminds me of something out of a fantasy novel with its varied assortment of flowers, white pergola, cobblestone floors and white wicker seats with yellow cushions. The Parisian style, circa the 1920s, white, iron table and chairs are whimsical and not what I expect to find in a man’s house. The table is laden with pastries and a white carafe filled with coffee. Michael seems serene as he leans back on his chair and gazes down at his tablet. This morning, he’s wearing dark jeans and a white t-shirt that molds like a second skin to his broad shoulders, muscular chest and abs.

I look down at my high-waisted jean shorts and gray jersey razorback top and swallow. I didn’t even bother putting shoes or socks on, and my hair is a tousled mess.

Biting my lip, I approach the table and meet Michael’s emerald eyes. Michael smiles and gestures for me to take a seat, “How are you feeling this morning, chérie?”

I smile back and take a seat, “I’m…good. Listen…” I take a deep breath and sit forward in the chair, “…do I need to apologize for what happened the night before?”

Michael’s eyes soften, “Non, you do not have to apologize, Valentina. On the contrary, it is I who should be apologizing to you since I took advantage of you while you were inebriated.”

I shake my head, “No, you do not have to apologize. I promise it was consensual on my part. I just…I just don’t want you to be mad at me, considering how adamant you were about this not becoming personal,” I state quickly, still feeling shame for my blatant disregard for his feelings. I know that if our roles had been reversed, I wouldn’t be acting as calm as he is.

Michael leans forward and hands me a plate before he pours some coffee in my cup, “I might have been reluctant at first, but there is no doubt that I am attracted to you and put up little resistance, Valentina. Once he has finished pouring my coffee, he pushes my chair toward his until our knees touch. Michael’s hands settle on my knees before he kisses me gently and hands me the cup. “I won’t lie and say that I am not feeling conflicted about what we did,” he continues before I can protest, “but it’s not because of you, chérie. I just have a lot I am working through. I lost my mate before I even got to know her, and I feel guilty that I am not feeling guilty for being attracted to another female, comprenez vous?” Do you understand?

I nod, completely understanding his words. “Yeah, I do understand. Simply saying it out loud makes me feel like crap. How can I be feeling so sated when Sami is in a coma? I feel guilty because my friend is going through something, but here I am enjoying what we did and hoping that we can do it again.”

God, I’m such a bad friend.

Michael places his hand over mine and pushes the coffee cup to my lips, “We will find them, Valentina, and we will work through this,” he points his fingers between us, emphasizing what he means.

I take a sip of the rich drink and give him a wan nod, “Okay, then let’s just put all of this attraction to the side for a moment and talk about what we’re going to do next.”

Michael takes a sip of his own coffee and nods, “Oui, I think that is a good idea,” he grabs his tablet and hands it to me.

“I was doing some research on the Naga attacks that have been occurring around the city and have pinpointed where the Naga hive might be hiding.”

I look down at the tablet and see a map of places the Naga have attacked.

“They’re all within miles of the Catacombs of Paris in the underground ossuaries in Paris, which hold the remains of more than six million people…” he waves his index finger over the map, “the catacombs extend from the Barrière d’Enfer,” the gate of hell. “It’s a good place for the Naga to hide because the catacombs stretch for miles and has many rooms, similar to a labyrinth. It’s a perfect place for the queen to build her hives.”

My brow furrows when I remember that Ever wanted to take a tour of the catacombs, “But don’t tourists go through those catacombs? I mean, wouldn’t they have discovered the Nagas or reported an attack there?”

Michael’s lip tilts with admiration, “Oui, but the Nagas are probably hiding in another part of the catacombs and are more than likely using another exit. The queen would have ensured that any entrances had been blocked from humans, and the soldiers do not hunt where they nest. It makes it easier to be found if they do.”

My eyes widen, and my heart beats wildly with anticipation, “So, what do we do? Should we go down and investigate?”

He shakes his head, “Non, chérie. With how vast the catacombs are, we still need a drone to lead us to the queen. The catacombs are not just a burial site. There are over one hundred miles of limestone tunnels filled with secrets. It’s an underground city containing rooms upon rooms that can be dangerous to humans. If we go in blindly, we’ll either become lost or be attacked by a horde before we can find the queen.”

“Can’t you just flash us in and out of the catacombs if we get in trouble?” I ask.

Michael sifts his fingers through his hair and leans back with a sigh, “Have you not been listening to me? Even with my power range, I still need to know where I’m going to flash. I think we should go to the catacombs, see what information we can glean from their guides and do a survey of possible exits they use.”

“Alright, fine,” I reply, “Do you want to check out the catacombs now?”

Michael nods, “Oui, I already bought our tickets. Our tour is in…” he looks at his cell phone, “…thirty minutes.”

Chewing on the last piece of strawberry crepes, I wipe my lips and rise from my seat, “Alright, let’s go.”

Michael looks down with amusement and arches a brow, “Perhaps you should put some shoes on first, chérie.”

I look down at my bare toes and blush, “Yeah…sure, I guess that would be a good idea.”

He chuckles as he rises with me, “Go, I’ll meet you by the front door.”

I look down at the empty plates, “I’ll help you put this away first.”

Michael waves his hands over the plates, making them disappear before he looks up at me and gives me a sly wink, “No need, they’re already cleaned and put away, chérie.”

My lip quirks at his gesture, “Man, not only are you hot, but you come with the ability to clean up a mess with a wave of your hand.”

Michael snickers at my honest words. I can tell that he’s a bit embarrassed but also proud that I think he’s attractive. His smile turns broody as he takes a step back and waves to my feet again, “Oui, I am full of surprises, mon petit. You will also find the clothes you were wearing the other night are washed and folded in my top drawer. Now, go and put your shoes on before I leave without you.”

I bite my lower lip as I back away until I go back to his bedroom, tie my hair into a loose bun and slip on my flannel top and boots.

Michael’s eyes admiringly move across my bare thighs and stomach before they settle on my face. I shiver when I see the desire gleaming in his eyes. I feel like he caressed me from head to toe with his eyes.

He must see my reaction because his smile widens, “Allons - y,” let’s go, he calls out as he turns and exits the house.

As I follow him out the door, I can’t help but feel that everything will be alright. Maybe I’m crazy.