Episode 32
Lark's grip on my arm immediately softened, and he pulled my body into his. The smooth, swiftness of his movements was graceful. Sauve. Elegantly undignified. Against instinct, I allowed him to lead me. The tingling that the touch of his skin on mine caused was a sensation I never knew, and I found it positively delightful. The longer the touch lingered, the longer I wanted it to stay as if I were growing to crave it. It's... true. It was increasingly complex to deny it to myself, and it frightened me. With his hands placed gently on my sides, I relaxed into him as we started to bounce in beat with the crowd.
Just how long had he been watching me, and why? Maybe his eyes were those I felt on my back by the jeep. That left me feeling... unnerved. Not that's not it. Angry? Flattered? It was hard to discern through the new levels of my vastly growing range of emotions. "I daresay, I've never known a brute like you to move their body so gracefully in dance. That aside, are you following me, sir?" His body kept surprisingly well in time with the music and was natural at pulling my own along. He silently manipulated my movements in a way that made me feel I'd been dancing like this for years.
"Dance? This is dancing?" He raised his brow at me incredulously. "You know Thea... I've noticed you're pretty slick about evading questions. A true master of distraction." The look that was once stern on his face now significantly softened. "Thank you, by the way, I guess. Not all brutes are giant dumb lugs." His smile was bright and kind, the whiteness of his teeth a pleasant contrast, like the green of his eyes against the warm brown hue of his skin. His smile reached them, causing them to seem relaxed even further as he spoke. "Would you like to see some dancing? Cuz I'll show you some real dancing."
He didn't allow me time to respond. Instead, he slid one hand to the small of my back. I didn't think it was possible, but he pulled me in closer, grabbed my hand, and placed it on his chest. It was still rhythmic and in time with the music but less visceral than those around us. Less sexual, more sensual. For as calm and smooth as he appeared on the outside, I felt his heart trembling with each beat in his chest. You could never tell it from the outside as he effortlessly led me to move in ways that forced me to rely on his abilities. He actually did have some talent. The smile on his face that appeared occasionally never once left his eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were rather enjoying yourself, Alaric." His chest rumbled slightly beneath my hand.
"It's Lark, please. And if you wanted to know what I'm thinking or feeling, you could just hop in and find out, right? So do it already." I looked up at him questioningly. It sounded like it was an invitation, which was also a slight horror on its own, allowing that feeling in my stomach to return. No one is usually so openly willing to have their privacy invaded. I felt my brows involuntarily furrow, and my eyes started to squint as I pondered his motives. As if knowing what I was thinking, he gave a slight reassuring nod. Delicately, I pushed my way into his mind. There was no physical reaction from him, so it was a good sign that I did not cause him any actual harm, or even pain, for that matter. It was equally impressive that he was not only receptive to me, but also aware of my presence once I was within. He knew as if on instinct and began speaking to me with his inner monologue.
Thea, seriously. What are you doing here?
His tone internally was much different than the one he used outwardly. Soft and gentle as much of his touch. Warm, like being wrapped in fur. The way he was able to hold the speech in his mind was rather admirable as well. It's hard for many to form an entire thought into words as they tend to think sporadically. Usually, my typical invasion was sifting through a mix of random phrases, images, emotions, scents, and sounds. He was talented in his way of putting the other noise out. The words were well formed and together in order. Emotion was present but not overpowering. Maybe it was due to him consenting? It was all new territory. As I said, receiving an invitation is not usually the case.
What does it look like, Lark?
He looked around us and then raised that eyebrow at me.
You know, if you needed to feel someone's hands on your body, I was already more than avail-
I'm hunting. Besides, as hard as it may be sometimes in my travels, I try my best not to... how do you say? Mix business with pleasure.
It's true. It got very messy every time. These creatures and their complicated emotions. Many would always try to linger a lot longer than I wished them to once sex was involved. Or feeding. Even that had longer-lasting side effects. It's nice to feel like the drug to the addict, but after a while, and I hate to admit this even now, I would feel sorry for them. True pity.
Ahh... all business then. Well, this, my dear new Ancient friend, is a Fertility festival--one of the biggest around, by the way--and here everyone is looking at you, ready to help keep the population up. You being... you? Not smart, Thea. Not very smart.
The words, when he thought them, flowed through me with a feeling of apprehension, and I noticed then he was still periodically scanning our surroundings. He was very much a natural protector and would have been quite a formidable warrior in another time. Still, his implying that I was a simpleton was starting to annoy me. The impudence of this creature was frustrating and bothersome. Not to mention, he was getting in the way of what was supposed to be a quick and easy meal.
I'm an Ancient, and I ooze sexuality. People will always be looking at me!
You'd think the boy would get it by this point. He's felt and witnessed the effects firsthand. My patience was wearing thin, and my hunger was rapidly growing.
It seemed his own impatience was growing as well. The tone in his mind shifted to a different menagerie of emotions I'd not yet experienced before. I've been aware of its presence during invasions in the past but never intimately familiar with it.
Don't be an idiot. The last thing I'm trying to deal with on this adventure from hell is a God getting pregnant and having a baby.
It was sharp and clipped. The smile was now missing from his eyes, and his lips were pressed in a tight line.
Do not
ever
imply that I am lacking in intelligence. I may be fresh, but I'm not new here.
He winced a bit at the anger I allowed to flow through. It was an excellent visual reminder that I needed to back off before I made his head pop.
And as for insemination, I am unable to hold life within, so there is no reason to fret.
I watched his face relax slightly into a questioning glance. That strange recipe of his emotions disappeared and was replaced by an unwavering anxiousness. I watched him as his eyes shifted from left and right, scanning. He afforded me his attention briefly to look at me and scowl, but his expression dropped abruptly. I cocked my head to the side, my own questions evident.
What is it?
Over there on your six...
I could feel the tense energy spilling off him as he thought it. He was on high alert, though again, his body outwardly didn't give it away. He remained as I usually saw him: calm and collected. Though I had exactly zero clue as to what he was talking about.
