SIREN’S MISTAKE PART 10
I tried to get off the couch, but Rosie lifted a single finger, stopping me. “Michelle? Did you say his name was Zagan?”
“Yeah. He is sexy as hell, too. Do I let him in?”
Rosie looked at me for a full minute as I silently pleaded with her. This was my proof. If they could see him, they would know he was real. Maybe after seeing him, they would be able to see the room, too. Finally, Rosie nodded and yelled. “Yeah, let him in.”
From down the entrance way, Michelle led Zagan into my living room. She kept looking back at him and nearly tripping when she did. Anger rose in my chest and mind. Zagan was mine! But was he? And why the hell was I even thinking this way? I usually didn’t give a crap about any man. I could never tell if they truly liked me for me or if it was the curse. Sure, there was probably no such thing as curses, but it sure felt like one.
As soon as Zagan stepped around Michelle to approach me, Rosie blocked his path. It seemed to take some kind of effort for her to stand her ground. She was clenching her teeth, but she still wouldn’t let him pass. When it was clearly she had her composure, she glared daggers at him. “Are you responsible for how she looks right now? The torn clothes and blood? Missing days of work? Who the hell are you anyway?”
“Ma’am. I assure you, I made it to Andy as soon as I was aware she was in danger. She is safe in my presence.” He took a step closer to Rosie. His head tilted lower to make eye contact.
Some kind of exchange took place because Rosie stepped back and sighed in relief. “Of… Of course, she is safe with you. Michelle. We should leave and let them talk. Zagan, make sure she eats some soup.” Rosie grabbed her purse and Michelle’s arm and rushed out of my apartment, slamming the door behind her.
“What the hell just happened?” I couldn’t take any more. That was the last straw. I stood even though I had to hold onto my couch’s arm with one hand. My other hand pointed to my door. “What was that all about?”
“Sha. Do not get yourself so excited. You need your rest. Let me get you some soup. We do have much to talk about.” He turned away from me and went to my kitchen. Sounds of dishes clinked here and there. I was left standing where I was with my arm still stretched towards my front door.
When he came back, he sat the bowl down on my end table and lowered my arm for me. With careful hands, he helped me back onto the couch and under my blanket. “Where are your first aid supplies?”
“In the bathroom.” I have to say that I was a bit dazed by how delicately he helped me back onto the couch. Before he headed off, he handed me the bowl of soup.
“I did promise your friend that you would drink this. I may be a lot of things, Sha, but I am not a liar. Please. Drink.” He strolled down my hallway towards the bedroom like he knew where he was going. It should have bothered me, but I had other things to worry about, like what were those things that attacked me and where was I when they did.
Zagan came back just as I downed the last drop of soup. I had been pretty hungry after all. “What have you got there?” He carried more than just my small first aid box.
“You need to change if I am to dress those wounds. I hope I selected the appropriate items.” He handed me a pair of sleep shorts and tank top.
“Yeah these’ll do. Go back in the other room, and I’ll change.”
He didn’t argue. Instead, a small smile played at his lips. It made me almost forget why I was so angry with him. Almost. I shook my head to clear away whatever fog he was creating. The smile slipped from his face. He nodded and retreated back to my room.
I half stood to get changed. I wouldn’t admit to anyone, but I hurt all over. The scratches burned as if they were on fire. My muscles ached. I don’t know what he was thinking, but there was not a single thing in that little box that would help me feel better.
As soon as I was changed and back under my covers, I yelled to him. “All right. You can come back now.”
He slowly sauntered back over and kneeled down before me. A simple outstretched hand told me what he wanted. I untucked my scratched leg and presented it to him. Again, I was taken back by how gently he was. He moved my leg this way and that to get a better look at it while he used saline to clean it. “Would you mind if I used my own remedy on these wounds? I am afraid this box does not have what is needed.”
“Right? That’s what I was thinking. But sure. Go ahead. What else could go wrong?” As soon as I said it, I wanted to hit myself. In all the movies, you knew never to say that. It provoked bad things to happen.
Zagan laughed. It was such a musical sound. He brought out a canaster from his back pocket and unscrewed it. A silver looking cream sat inside. As it was placed on my burning skin, relief flooded over me. It was a miracle. He put more on and then used the gauze to cover it. I immediately turned so he could do the same to my arm.
With that taken care of, he scooted back to lean against the love seat. “That will heal your wounds nicely, Sha. Now, we can address the real concerns.”
