Page 96 of Primal God

“No.” He stands. “I need a shower.”

I watch him retreat into the bathroom, feeling like something has shifted between us.

And I don’t like it one bit.

19

Lilith

My paranoia that something has shifted between me and Dimitri feels confirmed over the next few days. Dimitri works longer hours than usual. When he comes home, he doesn’t pop in for bath time or story time. Instead, he hides in his room or in his study.

And hiding is exactly what I’d call it because that’s what it is.

Take last night, for example. I went into his office, closing the door behind me. He wouldn’t even look at me and then left before I could ask what was wrong. When I stopped by his room later that night, his door was locked.

Something has happened. I just wish I knew what.

There was a moment when I worried he knew about Raquel, but deep down I know that’s not whatever this is. If he knew, she’d be here, with us.

Another thing that’s happened this week is that Clara has suddenly started having nightmares. She wakes me up each night, needing to be comforted. I wish she’d tell me what’sstressing her out, but any time I ask what’s wrong, she just shakes her head.

Sighing, I hit my pillow to fluff it up and roll over. I haven’t been sleeping well. As much as I hate to admit it, I think it’s because I’m not sleeping next to Dimitri. How pathetic does that make me? Wait. I don’t want to know the answer to that.

I’ve just dozed off when I get the feeling that someone is watching me.

Opening my eyes, I can see the outline of Clara. Let me tell you, there’s nothing scarier than seeing the outline of a child in the middle of the night. I blame all the horror movies I watched as a teen.

“Clara? Is everything okay?”

“I’m thirsty.”

Biting back a groan, I sit and turn on the lamp next to my bed.

“Did you have another bad dream?”

She nods as her eyes fill with tears.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

I glance at the clock. It’s nearly five in the morning. Looks like it’s going to be a long day.

I say, “Let’s get you back in bed and I’ll get you a drink from the bathroom.”

Clara pouts. “I don’t like the bathroom water. It tastes weird.” She pauses. “Can I sleep in here with you?”

“Will that help you sleep better?”

She nods.

“Then okay. Now, let me grab that water so we can go back to sleep.”

She climbs into my bed, pulling the blanket over her legs. I give her a small smile as I walk out of the room. Carefully, I make my way downstairs without turning on any lights. Diego is a lightsleeper and if he gets up to find the lights on, he’ll be ready to get up, too.

I’m on the last step from the landing when I trip over something.

The next thing I know, I’m falling. I brace my fall with my hands and let out a groan as I feel something pop in my right wrist. Pain shoots from my wrist to my elbow, making me feel nauseous. I roll to my side with a groan.

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