Page 97 of Echoes of the Banshee

She looks at a bag of food on the floor. I push myself to my feet and pick it up. Dig inside until I find a protein bar. I open it and pass it to her.

She takes it with a half-smile.

“Want anything?” She gestures to the bag. “I bet you didn’t eat dinner.”

As if my stomach heard her, it growls. She takes the bag from my hand and then pats her bed by her feet. I stand awkwardly as she digs inside and offers me a sleeve of donuts.

“No,” I tell her flatly. She grins and digs again, this time passing me another apple. I take it and take a bite. She taps the bed again, a little impatiently. I sit as far from her as I can.

We eat in silence as I count the tallies that are on her wall.

“Want to tell me why you’re in my room at one in the morning?”

The bite I’m taking hurts as I swallow it early.

“Not really.” I risk a look at her, thankfully she’s smiling. “I felt your meltdown in the woods and, the shadows weren’t okay with being outside your door.”

“They’re separate?”

“Yes and no,” I tell her. “They’re part of me, I can usually control them. But they also are separate and have…” I struggle for the word. “Thoughts.”

She looks down at the one wrapping around her wrist.

“That’s got to be difficult to deal with.” She offers me a smile and finishes her protein bar. “Shall we get some sleep?”

“Yes, of course.” I finish mine and stand. Taking her trash, I head to the door and I pick up my backpack.

“Are you not staying?” I whip around. She’s shimmying out of her pants under the covers. They hit the floor and all thoughts leave my mind… and blood. “The shadows don’t seem like they’ll leave, and I’m still weak.”

Bad idea. Really bad idea.

She wants you for protection. I nod and put my back against the door, preparing to slide down.

“Just climb in bed with me.” She scoots against the wall and opens the covers. I walk in a trance towards her. “Take off your sweater and pants and climb in.”

My body obeys her. I know I’m hard. I’m sure she can see it as I get into the bed next to her. My boxers offering little protection. I roll, facing away from her and reach out and shut off her lamp.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course.” My voice cracks. I am such a loser.

Her breath evens out as she falls asleep. I’m about to drift off when she turns in her sleep and cuddles against my back. I’m hyper aware of every inch of her. The skin of her ankle touching my knee.

***

The alarm on my phone blares.

I don’t remember falling asleep. Where’s my phone? My pants pocket. I reach to dig in them, finding Thea’s hand on my stomach.

I’m not wearing pants. Right. The floor.

I attempt to climb out stealthily but my leg gets stuck on the covers and I trip. Landing on my hands and knees on the floor. I rummage through my pants pockets and pull my phone out silencing it.

“What time is it?” Thea asks, her voice soft and sleepy.

“Three thirty, sorry. I normally run before Combat,” I tell her.

“Eww. Get back in bed, we have another hour.” She rolls towards the wall.