A Watch For The Stars- Chapter Eight

Something's wrong. Rose doesn't know why, but her instinct was telling her to wake up. It was one of those moments when she woke up with her hair damp by her cold sweat and with a terrible headache. Rose let out an audible groan. It was the third consecutive night that this had happened and the real trouble is, she doesn't even know what's wrong.

She trembled, unknowingly why. Her mind was running and it seemed to her that, the recent memory must be the problem. She still remembered hiding behind the wall when she noticed what Adrian and Lissa were doing. They were locked in a lover's embrace and Lissa was softly weeping. Her head was rested on Adrian's broad shoulders.

It was only when she felt the first stab of stinging pain then she stopped looking at them. Her fists were clenched tight, her slightly tanned skin was looking more white than usual, and a line of blood slowly oozes out. She slowly unclenched her tight fist, her mind confused. Why was she angry at the sight of them?

Rose blinked her eyes. She was back in her room. In the past few weeks, her fighting skills had gradually improved and she was more attentive in classes. But Rose didn't realize that the fire in her eyes when in a combat was scarily animalistic, or the low growl whenever her opponent got a kick at her. Neither did she realize that the attentiveness in classes were for something else entirely.

It was the typical morning where Rose was nowhere found but a note had been taped on her door: See you all for lunch. To Lissa and gang.

Though a small heart was drawn at the end of the note, but the gang all understood that she didn't really mean it. Lissa looked at Adrian with a worried expression and Christian eyes' darkened.

Adrian Ivashkov lounged lazily on his couch. The growing darkness in Rose was starting to scare him and he can sense her jealously. It was a dark purple, a shade darker than the profound purple that meant devotion. But jealously is always a step below devotion. Adrian felt like a coward. He couldn't help but close his eyes as the thing he feared most came true.

But he still lifted up his hands and opened his eyes. He let out a cry of desperation. His hands should be glowing with the pretty gold color, but what he saw was a huge patch of dark colors swirling around with the gold. No one knew what happened to spirit user with darkness. And that was what he feared most.

The mirror in front of Adrian reflected his image. But what he had not noticed was that his eyes weren't mossy green, they're red.

Rose hiked stealthily to the forest behind the Academy. There was a strange attraction to it and she can't help but felt the familiar sense of security and solace. She heard a crunch and scanned the surroundings. There were the trees waving slightly with the wind, the sound of insects crooking and just a few paces away was the small lake. After a few minutes of speculation and nothing, Rose took out her silver stake and started practicing.

Her eyes was fixed on the couple of trees in front of her, and with a shallow breath, she sprang. Rose tried kicking at the trees, her legs touching at the wood and felt a familiar ache. It wouldn't fall, no matter what she does. Though she felt silly at kicking at the trees and thinking that she can at least knock one down, she still tried everyday. She finally stopped when the shirt she was wearing was sweat-soaked and her legs were threatening to break.

As Rose walked back to the Academy, she thought about the new mentor she was going to get. Probably Alberta. And that means she may not have the time to try this silly practice.

Red eyes were fixed on her backs, and a slow smirk was formed. The ghosts tried to warn her, but she had them blocked a notch too effectively.

Lissa paced in circles. The jagged pieces of her parent's death memories had once taken a hold on her, haunting her. But now Christian had become a priority in her life. Christian. They had a tiff again, with anger unleashing its ugly claws upon him, taunting to say things Lissa was sure he didn't mean. But Lissa wasn't sure she know what he was angry about.

"Christian, what's wrong?" Lissa tried to grab a hold on his wide sleeve, but he had shook off her hand harshly.

" What is with you?" Her mind raced, this was already the third fight in the month. His lips had set on a thin line, his hands clenched with fury.

" You're a whore, Lissa." He had said quietly, and those words echoed loudly through the empty hallways. She retorted, " I am no whore!" Lissa lifted her hand, her arm poised slightly above her head, ready to strike the tall, egoistic male she found hard to believe was her Christian. She struck him hard. He did not blink, but was half-surprised by the unprepared action by the peaceful, quiet Lissa.

In a single movement, Christian held Lissa's hands above her head, his eyes brightened. He leaned down slowly, watching her as a predator stalked its prey, and stared blatantly at her open mouth. Lissa's breath held. Christian looked dangerously seductive, his scent clothing her and eyes that seemed to suggest what it would like to unclothe her. Not that he hadn't see before, she realized with a start. Her mouth formed and 'o' and Lissa unconsciously moved closer to him.

With a tantalizing smile, Christian kissed her hard on the lips, loving the way her body melted against his and her hands reaching desperately for his neck. He pulled her closer, closing his eyes for a moment, sucking gently on her lower lip. His tongue had slipped in easily, and Lissa's own tongue clashed around him as they fight for dominance. Christian moved his hands tentatively to her womanly hips, and Lissa gently used her teeth to graze his tongue.

But their fight was still unresolved; Christian pulled away reluctantly, and whispered. " See how easily you give in to a man." His lips touched her neck and he slowly licked. He smirked at the way she tightened her hold on him, crushing her chest with his. " Did you see how eager you are? What a whore, Lissa, what a whore."

He bit down softly. The words had managed to jerk her back to earth, but the thrilling pleasure that surged through her melted her brain. She moaned audibly as he bit down hard this time and sucked. She could feel his smile, but she focused on the warmth that had pooled low in her belly.

And call that a tease, Christian had turned right away when Lissa's legs almost give out. She watched as his shadow got smaller and disappears. Her breath hitched and she sank slowly down the floor as she remembered what he said. What was wrong with him?

Lissa frowned. Now, she wished she could be like Rose and see through Christian's thoughts. How unfortunate of her, being called in such a derogatory manner by someone she loved and cared deeply.

Author's Confession:

Hi! I had noticed its been over almost two months before i update. You don't blame me, do you? All right, i had been listening to Fucking Perfect by Pink and that song is still stuck in my head. Now, here's a verse:

Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him.

Job 13:15