Page 16 of The Vampire Oracle
“It’s not. I never meant to make you feel like you’re less than me. I won’t lie again.”
Beck sighed, brushing a tear from my cheek. When did I start crying? “I was just mad and taking it out on you. I’m sorry.”
I reached up to touch him but backed down. I didn’t know what he wanted or where this was going. “Are we… breaking up before we even started dating?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want that. I just want honesty, Psalm.”
I nodded. “I… I have trauma and past things I’m still working on, but I will be as honest as I can without hurting myself. Bringing up the past is hard and now I feel like you guys think I’m weak. I had to learn how to do everything with a left hand all my life. I don’t even know how to use my right hand much. I just… I don’t know. I don’t want to lose you… or this…”
He closed his mouth before nodding. “Let’s go sit. I’m exhausted.”
I agreed and went back into his room. I sat on the bed, trying not to watch as he dried off and put on some shorts. Slowly, I kicked off my boots, before I got rid of my jeans. He caught on, moving to the side of the bed and lying down with me.
Our eyes met, and he closed the space between us, kissing my lips softly. “I don’t want any of this to end either, Psalm. I like you too. I think you’re funny, brave, and very beautiful.”
“It’s my charm, isn’t it?” I asked with a smile.
“Of course,” he said, pulling me against him. “All charm.”
After a moment, I relaxed against him, and together we fell asleep quickly.
A boot hit my head, almost fazing me. Pain was the only thing I liked to feel anymore.
“Ashbourne scum,” The Oracle spat at me before kicking me in the shoulder where my arm was gone. “Useless bitch. You would have been prettier if you weren’t defective.”
I gasped, feeling the sharp pain. It never healed exactly the greatest. I pulled the knife from my boot, swiping my leg, and knocking the Oracle to his ass.
In a flash, I was on top of him, holding a knife to his throat. “Defective where? Do you want to lose a limb like me?” But then the tip of my blade ran down his body to his lower stomach. “Or should I cut off that small dick of yours?”
“Cut this out. You don’t want to do this,” an older gentleman barked behind me.
I scoffed, eyes locked on the Oracle’s, willing to keep up this fight. I wanted the chance to hurt someone on purpose. “You don’t know me. I want to do this. I will do this with a smirk on my face. Would you like me then?”
“Fuck you, defective bitch!” The Oracle spat.
I balled a fist around the half of my blade and punched him hard in the nose. The crunch was unmissable.
The sound of ringing had me jolting in Beck’s arms. His hand ran over my right side, landing on my hip.
“Just my phone,” he muttered, turning over to grab it. “Hello?”
I sank against him again, wanting to feel his warmth.
“Yeah. I’m coming too. Give us ten minutes.” He told the person and hung up. He wrapped his arms back around me, pulling me closer. “Kier wants us up. Your friend will be here within the hour.”
“I want to stay here,” I muttered. Part of me never felt safer than in his arms. I didn’t even have a horrible dream like usual, just a memory of how Spectre started.
Beck kissed my shoulder, hand running to my sternum.
“If you’re trying to keep this PG, don’t go further,” I warned.
He snorted. “Never PG with me. We do have ten minutes; give me five.”
I let out a laugh, trying to push away from him.
“I’ll make it worth your time. How about two minutes?” He laughed.
“I'd rather save my time and maybe spend the extra few minutes doing my hair and brushing my teeth.”