09-30-2016, 04:00 AM
The man abruptly winked out. Asha shuffled backwards, alarmed as he began to rise. And knew then what he was. As the distant sirens began to wail, she shared a wide-eyed look with Elias. Fear was written plain on her features, some of it seeping in from the woman caught between the two men, but so much of it all her own. Still, she managed to pull herself to her feet, and stifled the itch in her legs to run.
***
Damien made her profoundly uncomfortable. He was polite and gracious and controlled; all things that should have made him easy company. But it felt like they lounged with a lion. Elias's prejudices probably coloured her judgement; he made it quite clear he didn't care for the man, but would take advantage of whatever resources were offered that aligned with his goals. But it wasn't just that. Damien was beautiful. The weight of his gaze made her self-conscious, even when it was innocent.
That night had been a trying experience. She understood now why her uncle had always left her behind, and Asha could only imagine how differently she might have grown had fear and pain been sensations that had nurtured her daily. The fear made her queasy; she stood well back, arms folded to disguise the way her body reacted with a tremble. An inane mantra rattled through her skull in lieu of focusing on any one individual. Even when Elias winked out, the situation seemed too unpredictable and volatile to rely on the brief respite of emptiness. She weathered it instead.
The hotel room was grand, and feeling out of place only added to her unease. Elias's story held her rapt, adding flesh to the bare bones he'd offered before. Backing out never occurred to her, or if it did the thought was swept clean by loyalty. In any case, she'd lived a life peripheral to the mysteries and shadows Damien laughed at, and they had always called to her. Chasing a story such as she this seemed natural. Enough that a smile finally pierced the uncertainty of her expression. She'd been stuck in Moscow far too long.
***
Damien made her profoundly uncomfortable. He was polite and gracious and controlled; all things that should have made him easy company. But it felt like they lounged with a lion. Elias's prejudices probably coloured her judgement; he made it quite clear he didn't care for the man, but would take advantage of whatever resources were offered that aligned with his goals. But it wasn't just that. Damien was beautiful. The weight of his gaze made her self-conscious, even when it was innocent.
That night had been a trying experience. She understood now why her uncle had always left her behind, and Asha could only imagine how differently she might have grown had fear and pain been sensations that had nurtured her daily. The fear made her queasy; she stood well back, arms folded to disguise the way her body reacted with a tremble. An inane mantra rattled through her skull in lieu of focusing on any one individual. Even when Elias winked out, the situation seemed too unpredictable and volatile to rely on the brief respite of emptiness. She weathered it instead.
The hotel room was grand, and feeling out of place only added to her unease. Elias's story held her rapt, adding flesh to the bare bones he'd offered before. Backing out never occurred to her, or if it did the thought was swept clean by loyalty. In any case, she'd lived a life peripheral to the mysteries and shadows Damien laughed at, and they had always called to her. Chasing a story such as she this seemed natural. Enough that a smile finally pierced the uncertainty of her expression. She'd been stuck in Moscow far too long.