Page 58 of Calming the Storm

"One leads to two. Two leads to four. Next thing you know, you’ll be hooked again. Just remember how long it took you to stop drinking excessively. Do you want Crimson to see that side of you?" Malachi tested.

I blinked my eyes, trying to stop the tears that begged to escape.

"I'll be back," I repeated, opening the door and walking out into the hall. I closed it as quietly as I could before taking a trembling breath.

I won't panic. I’ll just get some air...I will have just one cigarette...just one. It won't change me back to who I was....it won't.

I made my way to the balcony, praying that I'd be strong enough to keep that promise.

* * *

~CRIMSON~

"Crim?"

"Cute..."

"Crimson, baby. I need you to wake up."

Malachi's voice brought me out of my dream of cute men. It was essentially the guys looking all adorable, which made me want to pinch each of their cheeks, starting with Quillian's.

"Hmm?" I asked, lifting my head and looking over my shoulder.

I saw Malachi sitting up with immense worry in his sky blue eyes. The look made my heart skip a beat, leaving me wondering if something was wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you to go talk to Quillian,” he announced with a frown.

"Huh? Quillian?" I looked back at the empty space beside me where he had been. "Where did he go?"

"He's on the balcony," Malachi replied.

"Why are you worried about that?" I asked. "Is he just getting some air?"

"Storm visited again," Malachi revealed.

I frowned and bit my lip, flinching at the pinch of pain I felt.

Huh?

Malachi lifted his hand and ever so gently trailed his thumb over my bottom lip. It felt tender like I'd wounded it, but there was no physical mark.

"Storm's essence tested Quillian and threatened to hurt you. She made you bite your lip hard enough to bleed and I healed it, but it's still gonna be tender for a few more minutes," Malachi elaborated.

"She did what? Why?!" I exclaimed, sitting up.

My ears twitched, and my tails began to puff up thanks to my anger.

"I'll explain in more detail later. Just go talk with Quillian. He...he has habits that he indulges in when he's stressed. I for one, don't want to see all the work he put into quitting those habits go down the drain because of Storm's essence," Malachi explained.

I nodded, ready to leave the room when Malachi stopped me. I gave him a look, unsure why he was delaying me.

He sat up and grabbed his white shirt that was at the end of the bed. He placed it over my head, touching my ears slightly as he did so, which made me squeak.

"Hey," I whined, noticing his grin.

"Sorry,” he whispered as he helped me put the long shirt on. "Okay, you can go now ."

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