CHAPTER XII

I walked through the kitchen and went downstairs to Dumah's room. The door was closed, which wasn't unusual.

What was unusual, though, was the amount of noise coming from the other side of the door.

"I refuse to share a room with you!" Dumah didn't sound pleased.

"Well, I refuse to sleep on the couch! I need some measure of privacy, brother!" The other man in the room sounded like Rahab.

"At the price of my privacy? I think not." Dumah's voice took on a low, warning tone.

I knew Rahab wasn't stupid. Flirtatious, yes, but stupid, no. He wouldn't try to press on with Dumah talking to him in that tone of voice. I quickly stepped away from the door in anticipation of Rahab's exit.

"I think there's someone listening outside," Rahab said suddenly. "Of course, with your brutish behavior I'm not surprised that you attracted attention..."

I heard a sudden, sharp thud and a short cry.

"Too slow, brother," taunted Rahab's voice. "Next time, maybe."

The door to Dumah's room opened, and Rahab found me standing just outside. He closed the door behind him and crossed his arms.

"Were you eavesdropping?" he asked, curtly. He was dressed now (something for which I was deeply grateful), wearing a pair of slacks and a long-sleeved shirt. His almost waist-length black hair was still wet and he hadn't bothered to do much else with it besides comb it. He looked very serious, and almost angry. I'd never seen him look that way before. My stomach tied itself into knots. Rahab wouldn't try to hurt me, would he?

"I...I was coming to talk to Dumah," I said slowly. "I just overheard...I'm sorry if you thought--"

"When you heard us arguing, you could have left," Rahab pointed out. His features softened, somewhat, but his aquamarine eyes remained icy.
"You're right," I conceded, "But I guess my curiosity got the better of me."

The corners of Rahab's mouth turned up ever so slightly. "See that it doesn't in the future. I dislike my personal affairs being public knowledge."
I nodded. "Of course, Rahab. I didn't mean for you to think I had intruded." Months of living with Dumah had taught me to be at least a little bit submissive toward any vampire who might wander in. Even if that were not the case, I could certainly appreciate Rahab's desire for privacy.
He smiled and reverted back to his old self at once. "Well, then, now that that's settled...why not talk to me in your room?"

When my response was to roll my eyes, Rahab laughed softly. "No? Well, your loss, then." He left the room, deliberately brushing against me as he left.

After he left, I knocked on Dumah's door.

"Enter," he said gruffly.

I opened the door and peeked in. Dumah was sitting on the bed, holding his right hand. I walked in and found a hole in the wall next to the door.
"Are you okay?" I asked. He shrugged. He looked agitated. He'd taken his hair out of its ponytail and it hung loosely about his shoulders. I walked over to his bed and sat down beside him. "Let me see it."

"It's already healing," he mumbled. "I'll be fine."

Without thinking, I reached for his hand. He flinched.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

Dumah shook his head. "It's fine." He turned his head, so that he was looking directly at me. My breath caught in my throat. I have always found Dumah attractive (loathe as I am to admit it), and now, with Dumah looking fatigued and even vulnerable, I thought he looked more handsome than he ever had before.

"Why are you here?" he said.

"I...I wanted to forgive you."

"For what?" Dumah looked curious. "If it was about breaking your favorite shot glass, then I would like to apologize again. I didn't know you were the sort to hold a grudge."

I laughed. "It isn't that."

"Then what is it?" He looked confused.

I looked Dumah right in the eyes. "That time all those years ago. When you betrayed me and handed me over to Kain."

Dumah looked away from me. "Ah. That unfortunate incident. I will not apologize for following my orders."

"I wouldn't expect you to," I said. "But..."

"It must have hurt you deeply," Dumah said softly.

"It did," I affirmed.

"I can't imagine that you could ever forgive me for that." His voice was completely neutral. I couldn't read any emotion from it.

"I have to," I blurted out, "Holding a grudge is unhealthy. And...I want to let myself like you, but as long as I keep not forgiving you...I can't."

Dumah looked back at me. His mouth was slightly open. "You're always so cold to me."

I sighed. He was right. I was cold, but why...?

"I was afraid if I let you get close to me, that you'd...hurt me again."

"I'd say the tables are turned now, wouldn't you?" Dumah said.

I nodded. My hand was still on his, I realized, but I couldn't be bothered to move it. My heart was racing. Was I nervous? Why?

"Maybe we could...start over," I said, slowly. My grip on his hand tensed.

"Careful," Dumah whispered. He moved closer to me.

"That's right...your hand," I said, lamely.

"It doesn't hurt," Dumah assured me. His other hand gently cupped my face. He gently traced my cheekbone with my thumb.

I felt my heart thumping in my chest, like it was trying to make an escape.

Dumah started laughing. "I can hear your heart beating. Why are you so afraid?"

"I'm not afraid," I whispered.

The corners of Dumah's mouth turned up. "Oh?"

I bit my lip and looked down. Dumah gently tipped my face up.

"Look at me," he breathed. I obeyed.

Before I could say or do anything else, he covered my mouth with his. He pressed me close to him. I didn't resist this time, instead I wrapped my arms around his neck. Dumah broke off the kiss and began tracking kisses along my throat. His hands wandered down to the small of my back, and then to my chest. Desire welled up in me. I wanted nothing more than to give myself to him completely, but...

"Stop," I gasped.

"Stop?" Dumah repeated.

"We...not now," I sighed.

Reluctantly, Dumah moved away from me.

"So...so now what?" I asked.

Dumah shrugged. "Who knows?"