'...as I walked through the woods, the monster inside consuming my body and soul, I thought back to the dark beauty who made it worth it. She believed in me, told me I was still me, when the monster took over. She made me feel like...I was still a man. But she could only ever be a friend. No matter how much I loved her, she deserved so much better than a monster in the skin of a man. But I would watch her. No one will ever hurt her again.'
Raven closed the book, trying to breathe again. She'd read it three times since getting it. It was a new publication, and was rapidly soaring as a bestseller. It was a tragic love story, a man cursed with lycanthropcy and the human woman - shunned by her village for her dark aura - who saw through the eyes of the wolf to the man inside. Every time she read it, she wished it could end differently, that somehow the love she could see between the two could be allowed to blossom.
But each time, she came to that ending, and found it hard to breathe. She didn't know who this author was - this Gordon Lockwood - but she wished she could meet him, ask him why such a beautiful story had to have such a sad ending. Again she turned to the front of the book.
'My Wish,' the title read. An odd title for a story, to be sure, but it seemed so appropriate. SHe just wished it didn't end so darkly.
She turned again to the dedication: 'To the dark mistress of my heart, for whom I will never be worthy.' She wondered who he was talking about...
The alarm went off, and she ran out to the mission, leaving the book on the table.
Getting back, she saw Beast Boy had made it in first, and was staring at the book on the table. SHe picked it up, raising an eyebrow at him. "What?"
He smiled at her strangely. "Never thought you went in for dark romance stories."
She glowered at him. "Judging a book by its cover again?"
He shook his head. "Never mind." He turned to go. "Enjoy the tale."
Raven stared after him, confused. Looking down at the book, she thought for a time.
THen realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and she dropped the book.
Gordon Lockwood...Garfield Logan...
Grabbing the book, she charged after him, slamming his door open. "Beast Boy!" she demanded.
He turned to look at her. "Yes?"
She held up the book. "You wrote this!" It wasn't a question.
He sighed. "Yeah...still trying to work on that sequel everyone wants."
"WHen did you have time for it between all your video games and...everything else?"
He shook his head. "I don't sleep too much at nights...and my mind wanders."
She stared at him for a while. Then she flipped to the dedication. "Who is she?"
"Hmm?"
"The 'dark mistrees'. Who is she?"
He shook his head. "Does it matter? I'm not worthy of her." He wouldn't meet her eyes.
Feeling the emotions pouring off of him, she understood. "...the beast inside..." she mumbled, quoting the book. "She knew he would never hurt her, even when the monster inside was in control."
He nodded, eyes on the floor.
She sat down in front of him, taking his hand. "Maybe he should have let her decide...whether he was worthy."
He looked up at her. She smiled.
"Maybe you should to," she said quietly.
"Raven..." he whispered, his eyes disbelieving.
She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, then turned to leave. He reached up to touch his cheek. She turned back and smiled at him. "By the way, love the book. ...and the author's not half bad either." She closed his door behind her.