A.N. I'm back! Well, the semester is almost over now, and I realized a couple days ago that I never got around to finishing (or beginning, really) my second story. I decided that I would make it my new goal to finish the sequel to Come Again? by the end of Winter Break. So here is the first--albeit short--installment of the story. Hope you all like it!
Sabrina had discovered something about herself in the past two minutes: she was far too forgiving.
As she felt herself fall forward after their mind-blowing handshake, she wondered vaguely if she could feel the pain of hitting a floor in her current state. Then her fall was abruptly halted and, suspended in midair, she realized that Anthony had caught her. Unfortunately, the absurdity of that idea didn't register with her at all, since her mind was full of a rushing that sounded like someone whispering No no no no no no which didn't make any sense at all.
But, then, she was obviously crazy if she was falling at a man's feet because of a mere handshake. What about everything he'd done to Elyssa?
A sudden tugging sensation distracted her from the question. Normally, that wouldn't phase her, but the tugging felt like it was in her mind. As if something were trying to break down an invisible barrier she had to the outside world. She shoved at it mentally, trying to get away from it, but it just became stronger at the attention.
Suddenly, another sensation, a physical sensation, broke through her mental war. Oh, she thought, finally focusing on his arms holding her up and the way she was cradled against his chest. This feels kind of nice.
But as quickly as she thought it, the arms were gone, leaving her to thump onto the hard floor. Granted, her landing was gentler than the one she had been in danger of a few minutes prior, but it hurt all the same.
she ejected, then stopped to marvel that her mouth was working again. She just barely refrained from feeling her mouth to make sure it was still there.
a small, tight voice murmured from her right.
Absently, she turned her head to locate the person speaking, the pink mist finally receding. Elyssa's pale face and too wide eyes eventually popped out from against the backdrop of the room as Sabrina focused, and the worry in her best friend's eyes gave her a moment's pause. Then, she forgot it and swung her head around to find Anthony.
As Thierry, Ash and Quinn poured into the room, followed just moments later by James and Poppy, Sabrina took in Anthony's face--which was even whiter than Elyssa's--and the fine trembling in his hands. She felt someone's fingers on her waist, trying to lift her into a standing position, but she pulled away to stand on her own.
The pink mist had cleared from her brain, which was swiftly being flooded by anger. Relieved, Sabrina clung to the familiar emotion and let it override her confusion, and with it, her common sense.
What happened? Thierry asked, glancing from Sabrina to the floor, then to Elyssa and finally to Anthony, before returning his eyes to Sabrina. Elyssa reached over and laced her fingers through his, watching her best friend warily.
Ash opened his mouth to repeat Thierry's question to Anthony, who looked vaguely shaky, but thought better of it as Sabrina's hands flung themselves onto her hips. Raising an eyebrow, he watched as Sabrina.
What was that? Sabrina hissed, glaring directly at Anthony.
Tossing his dark brown hair out of his face, Anthony narrowed his eyes in return. What was what?You dropped me!
Something flashed through his eyes, there and gone in an instant, too fast for her to read anything aside from an odd relief that lingered. Then he blinked and all she saw was an anger that matched her own. You're the one that fell on me!What is going on? Thierry repeated, this time with more authority ringing in his voice.
Sabrina and Anthony continued to glare at each other like little kids, but Sabrina grudgingly answered Thierry. she muttered. Nothing at all.
When Anthony didn't contradict Sabrina's obvious lie, Thierry glanced at Elyssa, who just looked confused. So, everybody's okay then? he asked, eyeing the human and vampire facing off before him.
Sabrina said sweetly, breaking eye contact to smile tightly at Thierry.
Anthony took a deep breath and nodded, running a hand through his hair. Just great.
After being welcomed to Circle Daybreak by Thierry, and after witnessing the suspicious glances of the other all Anthony had wanted was to get out of there as fast as he could. Unfortunately, he'd been forced through yet another debriefing, a thorough background check, and a psychiatric exam before they even began to consider where he was going to stay.
Getting him an apartment in the city was out of the question. He'd be far too vulnerable living on his own. So, Thierry decided the only solution was to give Anthony a room in the mansion on the same wing as some of the other Daybreak agents. Anthony had a sneaking suspicion that Circle Daybreak wanted to keep an eye on him.
Throughout the ordeal, his only consolation was that Sabrina had long since disappeared into the depths of the house with Elyssa. Or maybe she had gone home. He really didn't care.
Finally, an agent led him to his new quarters. Unlocking the door, the female wolf stepped inside and waited for him to follow before handing him the key chain. With sharp, efficient movements, she expounded on the layout of his suite of rooms.
Bedroom's through here. Bathroom's off of that. Couple of closets, plenty of space, she added slowly, eyeing his lack of bags.
Anthony stood still, eyes tracking her as she moved around the room, opening doors and pointing. Following her finger, he stared through the small doorway at a kitchenette uncomprehendingly. So this was his new home.
Misreading his expression, the wolf closed the door again. Meals are served in the dining room every day and the downstairs kitchen is always open, so you won't need to do any cooking if you want a snack.
Eyes as sharp as her movements flicked over him, assessing him--he was positive-- unfavorably. A touch of indolence crept into his stance as she spoke again. When you need to feed, the downstairs kitchen always has fresh blood.
Blinking at that last statement, Anthony was surprised to find that she was again at his side. The big key is for the front door. This small key opens your door. I'll see you at dinner.
And with that, the werewolf was gone.
Head spinning from the day's events, Anthony remained standing dumbly in the middle of his new living room for several minutes before moving slowly to the bedroom. He stared for a moment, wondering who had made the bed for him. Then, setting the keys on the night stand, he collapsed.
Lying on Elyssa's bed, head resting on crossed arms, Sabrina stared up at the ceiling while Elyssa finished throwing clothing into a suitcase. Sabrina thought it was a little silly to pack a bag when she was just moving down the hall, but had remained silent in the face of such excitement. The girl was nearly vibrating with sheer bliss, and while Sabrina was happy for her, she was in too foul of a mood to join in with her usual enthusiasm.
She was going to have to speak soon, though. The ceiling wasn't getting any more exciting. Sighing, she let her eyes fall once again on Elyssa as the girl flitted about the room. It was distracting watching Elyssa today. She'd never seen Elyssa so fidgety, and she'd certainly never seen her as confrontational as she'd been with Anthony.
Anthony. The thought of him made her eyes narrow and her hands clench. What in the world had happened earlier? One minute she was fine, the next she found herself in the arms of a man she was certain she despised. She shifted restlessly as she felt her cheeks get warm at the memory of his arms around her.
And then he'd dropped her. As her anger began to give way to humiliation, her cheeks felt like they were on fire. She'd literally fallen on the man and then she yelled at him when he dropped her. How embarrassing.
Being honest with herself, which she generally was, she could admit that his reaction had been understandable, if harsh. She probably would have done the same thing if he'd fallen on her.
He could have been nicer about it, though, a contrary part of her insisted. He didn't have to drop me.
Self-disgust made her shift restlessly on the bed. Really, Sabrina, she scolded herself. What did you expect? Did you really think he would be swept away by your mere proximity?
Quickly covering up her gasp with a cough, Sabrina reminded herself that she didn't even like the man and decided to pretend that that particular thought never occurred. Smiling tightly at Elyssa, she jumped off the bed and rushed over to start picking through the closet with her.
Noticing Elyssa watching her out of the corner of her eye, Sabrina forced her voice to be light and casual as she said, Really, Elyssa, how can you call this a wardrobe?
A.N. Hope you liked it! I'll try to get the next chapter up by the end of next week, but I've got two papers due, so I can't make any promises. Good luck with finals, those of you who have them!