Page 43 of Infinity Chronicles 1
Jolting awake I shoot upright.The room is dark and I can hear the sounds of heavy breathing. I’m momentarily disoriented. I pat what should be the cushion next to me but my hand lands on a denim covered thigh. I pull back and drop my hand back down gently. As my eyes adjust I see the white glow of Ares’s button-up shirt beside me. His arms are out wide on either side of the back of the couch, with his neck pillowed on the cushion. I roll my head around on my shoulders, my back isn’t used to sleeping on something so soft, nor am I used to sitting half up. I turn to the left, wondering where the others went, until I see Dante with his head supported on the arm of the couch. His legs are outstretched, almost reaching Ares, propped up on a pillow on the table. Squinting my eyes, I can make out a shape on the sofa across from me. It could be Milo or Ollie, it’s too dark to tell.
Should I wake them? I feel bad. Did they stay down here because of me? They could have gone to bed. Ares stirs ever so slightly and takes a deeper breath. I lean in close, going toward his ear. “Ares,” I whisper, no response so I lean in a little more. My upper body is almost touching his. “Ares,” I murmur, hoping not to wake the others. It’s my fault they’re sleeping on the couch, but at least the others are lying down. He still doesn’t wake. One last time I lean in close, I feel the scruff of his jaw on the crest of my cheek, my chest brushing up against his. With my lips at his ear I mutter, “Ares.” He stops breathing. Still whispering I add, “You should go lie down.” He hums a noncommittal response.
I feel the weight of his arm settle on my back. “Do you need to be home tonight?” His voice is low, thick with sleep.
“No.”
He grunts at my reply. The weight of his arm leaves my back and I pull away, ducking as his arm passes over my head. Ares stands, reaching both arms over his head in a drowsy stretch. He twists his back left then right until an audible crack sounds and he lets out a low groan. I feel slightly guilty that I’m the cause of his discomfort.
I curl back into the couch, tucking myself against the corner. Ares takes a step in my direction, and I pull my knees in tighter so he can pass without having to climb over Dante’s legs. Instead he stops in front of me and leans down. His arms go under the backs of my knees and under my arms. I stiffen, it doesn’t stop him from lifting me right off the couch and stepping around the table. “What are you doing?” I hiss.
“Going to lie down.”
“Where are you taking me?” A tiny bit of panic invades my voice, for a moment I think to scream for help.
Ares stops, he looks down at me. I can’t make out his features in the darkness, but his voice is soft when he answers, “I…” he stammers. “I just want to be near you for a little whilecara.”
“Should we just go back to the couch then?” I bite my lip, I don’t think he would do anything to hurt me, but I barely know any of them really.
“We can, I can put you right back where you were. I’ll stay right there next to you.” He waits for my response.
“You can go lay down. I’m used to sleeping on the couch. it doesn’t bother me.”
“No, you stay, I stay.” He turns around to return to the sofa. That more than anything changes my mind.
“I’ll try,” I mumble. “But I want to walk.”
Ares’s steps falter, he doesn’t say anything as he bends, placing my bare feet on the floor. I move a few steps away, straightening my clothes as I do. Silently I trail behind him as he passes through an archway leading away from the kitchen. It’s darker the further we go, the dim glow afforded by the moonlight beaming through the French doors fades with every step. Ares is just a silhouette in front of me now. We’ve only gone a short distance when he reaches back for my hand. Grateful for the guidance, I squeeze his fingers in return.
Ares stops shortly thereafter. The click of a door unlatching is loud in the surrounding quiet. The space beyond is pitch black. I can’t see a silver of light through a curtain. My heart rate edges up a few more notches. I want to run my hands over the wall to find a light switch, but Ares just strolls in, slowly stopping after about ten paces.
“Climb in,” Ares’s voice severs the silence. I lift my free hand and pat the space to my right.
“I can’t see.” Ares drops my hand and I suck in a breath. I hadn’t realized how much comfort the connection was giving me.
Seconds later his hands find my waist. He lifts me a few inches off floor and my hands go to his chest to brace myself. I’m completely disorientated. The back of my calves hit something firm and I bend my knees as he releases me onto a low bed.
My breaths are coming in short pants. I don’t like not knowing what’s around me. “Ares,” I call into the darkness.
“I’m right here.” I feel the mattress shift, so I scoot back with my hands behind me, careful not to fall off the edge.
“Is this your room? It’s so dark.”
“I can actually see you perfectly.” He doesn’t answer my question.
“I can’t see anything.” To prove my point I wave my hand right in front of my face, there’s nothing. Ares snatches my hand out of the air.
“Lay down, I thought you were tired,” he grumbles. I was, when I felt safe cuddled into the couch with all of them around, now I feel more alert than if I was at home alone. Patting the bed, I search for the pillow and I slowly lower my head, facing in his direction. I’m relieved to know he’s right next to me, but I’m also a little frightened for the same reason.
I draw in a deep breath through my mouth and hold it for a second before releasing it down over my bottom lip.
Eventually, when he doesn’t move or speak, my body begins to relax into the softness of the mattress. There’s a cool breeze flowing over my back and arm, the air vent must be pointed in my direction.
I lay awake for what feels like hours with Ares sleeping peacefully beside me, his breathing is even, steady. At some point I turn over, too chilled to stay still any longer. Reaching for the edge of the blanket I pull it over me, burrowing into the warmth.
* * *
The clickof the door wakes me, I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep. There’s a heady warmth behind me. Blinking, I get my first impressions of the room. It’s dark. The walls are a textured slate gray. In front of me is a curtain of heavy black drapes reaching from floor to ceiling. The light shining into the room is coming from behind me. I peer over my shoulder aware of the heat there. The top of Ares’s dark hair is against my back. Movement catches my eye. Squinting I look at the other side of the room. Dante is standing in the open doorframe. His hard eyes focused on me. I sit straight up, dislodging Ares as I do.
