Page 112 of Shadow

“OK. Well, I need to go. Baby, I love you.” Church kissed me gently. “We can’t wait for you to come home.”

I signed quickly to him, asking him to take care of my sister. He sighed and rolled his eyes but nodded. He gave me another kiss before bidding us goodbye and leaving the alley.

“He’s intense,” Shadow finally said.

I gave him a smile, which he returned.

“Hey, I’m sorry if I wasn’t as good as the guys are?—”

I silenced him with a kiss. He fell completely into it, his words falling away.

“You’re really good,” I whispered.

“Yeah?” He brightened, his eyes shining.

I nodded and kissed him again. I loved kissing him. He was so sweet and gentle. He was a lot like Ashes in that respect. But I knew, like Ashes, Shadow had a wild streak he fought to control.

And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eagerly awaiting the day he snapped and showed me who he really was behind his calm, composed wall.

SHADOW

Mirage came into the dorm room, looking like he was losing his mind. He slammed the door behind him and went straight for Sirena, who was working on a new painting. Her eyes widened as he swept her into his arms and cradled his face.

Her brows crinkled as she stared back at him.

“I’m not… I’m not OK,” Mirage whispered, his voice trembling.

“What’s wrong?” I got up from the bed where I’d been reading a book.

“Fucking Sully. Everett told him I work for him. Well, Sylar. But I just got here,” he choked out. “I’m always locked away. I want to be here. I’ll lose my fucking mind. I swear I’ll let it go and just fucking lose it.” He kissed Sirena fiercely on her forehead before releasing her and pacing the room wildly, his rabbit mask firmly in place.

“OK. Talk to us. What happened?” I demanded. I’d had a damn good day and didn’t want it ruined by Everett and that ass eater Sully.

Mirage exhaled and stopped pacing. He flopped down on the mattress and tugged at his hair.

“He wants to fuck me,” he finally murmured. “H-He touched me like my stepfather used to. I-I almost killed him. I almost let it all go and killed that motherfucker.”

Sirena moved and went to her knees in front of him. She rested her hands on his knees, anger and worry warring it out on her pretty face.

I watched her quickly sign to him.

He let out a soft chuckle and cradled her cheek again.

“Rinny, we will. I want to kill him, too. It’s the long game. It just upset me. I shouldn’t have ever come back here. I need to get my head straight. Need to think. I don’t want to fuck any of this up, but I don’t think I’m mentally where I need to be right now to do it. I-I’m going to go to the woods. I need to run. It’ll help.”

She frowned at that.

“We should tell Church and the guys,” I said. “They should know what he’s done to you.”

“It’s more than that. It’s why I need to get my head right before I tell them. Something is just… off. Everything feels so cloudy and fucked right now. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Why?” I asked.

“I’m going to stay in the cave tonight. I need to be alone with… myself. You don’t need to listen to me babbling at the air. Trust me. It’s better this way.”

I looked to Sirena, who still seemed worried, but she nodded and let Mirage pull her to her feet. He kissed her cheek lightly.

“Be good, OK? Shadow will take care of you. I’ll be nearby if you need me.” He pulled away and nodded his head at me to follow him. I did, and he closed the door behind us as we entered the hallway.

---