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Burying my head in his chest, I close my eyes and listen to his thumping heart, letting it settle my anxiety. The motion of his body is smooth, and he holds me tight as he runs. I don’t know where we are going. He has someplace in mind, and I can’t protest, not when it means I get time with him.
I’m still mad about the Aria thing, but I can’t carry on for too long since he only did it because he wanted to protect me and keep me close. It’s kind of sweet actually. I also can’t stay mad at him when he protected me at that meeting, keeping that weird Samael away from me. I can almost feel Cato’s relief, though, that he gets to take me away and not leave me with Aria.
And to be honest, I feel the same.
I feel happy with him, protected and supported.
Safe.
Who knew that all it would take for me to lean on someone and trust them again would be a seven-foot red monster with a forked tongue and tail? Not me, that’s for sure, but I can’t help but think I don’t see our differences anymore. I only see the things that make him unique, that make him Cato, the man who makes me laugh and talks science with me.
It’s scary how dependent I have become, and how much I value his input and his warm smile. The last time my heart broke, I told myself I would protect it in the future and never hand it over so easily again.
But Cato? He’s stealing a piece at a time. It was so slow and careful, I didn’t even notice until the thought of being parted from him actually made my heart ache and my stomach twist. Leaning in, I kiss his chest and nuzzle closer. He nearly stumbles, and I can’t help but giggle. When I look up, he’s grinning down at me.
I close my eyes again and just hold on, letting him take me where he wants. Wherever it is, I know it will be beautiful, just like everything he shows me in his world.
* * *
Okay, so beautiful might not have been the best word to use. I stare at the crumbling, dirty, cracked cement steps leading to a twisted iron gate with a huge, grimy sign above it declaring it’s a subway. The location half is broken off, and the light above it flickers as if it’s not quite sure it wants to work.
Honestly, it looks sketchy as hell.
“A subway?” I ask slowly, confused.
Placing me on my feet, he grins down at me. “You should know by now, Tally, not everything you see is the truth here.” With that mysterious parting sentiment, he captures my hand and tugs me after him towards the dubious-looking subway.
“Uh-huh, yeah. See, if you brought me here to kill me, could we not? Like, if I’m going to die, I would rather it wasn’t in a dodgy-looking subway. Maybe like a meadow? Yeah, a cute little meadow with flowers, and you would kiss me softly and say you have no choice.” I squeak as he turns and glares down at me.
“Talia, what on earth are you talking about?” he asks.
“Erm, nothing,” I mutter.
He leans down into my face. “I would never kill or hurt you in any way. Doing that would be the equivalent of ripping my own heart out, little human. When will you understand that?” I gulp, and he sighs. “But you need to decide if you trust me or not.” With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me there. “If you trust me, you’ll follow me, even though you’re not sure, but if you don’t, I’ll take you back to Aria and Akuji now, because I will never stop trying to give you the world, and you will never stop being unsure of it.”
I hesitate for a moment before hurrying after him and taking his hand. He doesn’t turn, but I squeeze it and slip in front of him. “I do trust you, Cato, more than anyone I ever have before, and that scares me.”
“It scares me too,” he admits as he leans down and cups my chin. “But I’m not running away just because it’s scary. I never will, not from you. I’ll always run towards you.”
Unsure what to say to that, I just nod, and he grins.
“One day, you’ll believe that, and I’ll be there waiting with open arms, but for now, let me show you what I wanted to before you thought I was going to murder you.”
“Hey!” I protest. “It was a valid thought since you brought me here,” I grumble, making him chuckle. The rich, deep sound sends a shiver through me.
I let him pull me down the steps to a metal gate, which he pushes inwards. It opens to a double door, which he easily opens and slips inside, pulling me with him. At first, it’s all black. I strain to see, but it’s no good, so I reach out and grip his arm. “I can’t see.” I hate how weak my voice is.
“Oh!” He groans. “I forgot your eyes aren’t as adaptive as ours. One second.” He lets go of my hand, and I wait. My breathing is loud in the otherwise quiet space, but then I hear a click.
A moment later, light flares, forcing me to close my eyes, and when I open them, they water from the sudden light, but I can see, thank god. He lit two lanterns, which hang from the ceiling in the archway we are standing under. The white tile floor is spotlessly clean, as are the walls, despite some old graffiti. Signs, posters, road signs, and lights have been hung along the walls—everything scavenged from the city.
“Come on.” He holds out his hand, and I take it as I look around. He leads me farther to some broken escalators, where a glow comes from the bottom. I follow him down, our steps loud, and as we descend, neon lights start to appear. I see arrows pointing down and bar signs, all lighting the area in a cool glow.
“What is this place?” I ask, my voice soft.
“You’ll see,” is all he says.
Feeling less like he might murder me, I keep my eyes open wide and scan everything, and when we reach the bottom, I just stop and gawk. “Welcome to the Hideout.” Cato grins back at me, sweeping his hand out to encompass the entire area. “It’s the one place where my people and those from Akuji’s tribe can go and meet in neutral territory. They can drink, eat, and enjoy their time together. It’s a place for us monsters to be free.” He smirks.
