Falling

by Christina Lauren

I said turn around, little lamb. Look at me.

What kind of idiot brought the most beautiful girl to a tawdry, cacophonous party like this and deserted her? If only he knew there were monsters out there, waiting for their turn.

“Happy Halloween,” she added. He laughed, a sound so deep and intoxicating she felt it spreading like smoke through her bloodstream. “Is it?” he asked, smile turning wry. Cat felt the laugh rise out of her. “Yeah . . . not really.”

“You’re beautiful, little lamb. Everyone in that room noticed you.” He smiled. “I’d wager everyone in any room notices you.”

“I followed you in here because you looked lonely. I followed you in here because you’re beautiful, and I like beautiful things.” A pause, and then the rest slipped out of him: “I followed you in here because I’m lonely too.”

“Are you seducing me, little lamb?”

Wanting him didn’t scare her, didn’t feel impulsive or shameful or dangerous. It simply felt inevitable.

Brigan couldn’t remember a lover who hadn’t mindlessly devoured whatever he gave them and then greedily demanded more. He reeled in understanding when it hit him, for it had been so long: This was what real desire looked like.

Madness, he thought to himself. This is what madness feels like, to want to exist in a moment that isn’t reality. And what a relief it was to know that he couldn’t fall in love with her, was incapable of it, because if this was a fraction of love, he would never be able to let her out of his sight.

“I’m doomed to walk the earth, alone and immortal, until my beloved finds me and rescues me.”

Her voice was soft, teasing but not mocking: “And how will your beloved rescue you?” “Apparently, she will simply see me,” he said, staring into his glass. “I see you.”