Page 15 of Worse Fates

“Don’t cry, beautiful.” His voice is a hushed whisper, a secret in the dark just for us.

I didn’t realise I was crying, now all I can feel is wetness on my cheeks and need growing—

I rip out of his grasp.

“What the hell.” Rubbing my unexpected tears away, I stab him with a sharp glare. “Did you spike me or something, dude? Because that’s really uncool. You know what is cool? Consent. Talking about consent and all its wonders, where the hell have you taken me? Also, I’m pretty certain some blonde with fangs came at me, so if you could also explain that, that’d be great.” As I yell at Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Sexy, I climb out the bed. Waving my hands, trying to find a light switch but refusing to take my eyes off either my saviour, or killer.

“I promise you're safe.” He takes a step back, giving me room.

When he speaks again I stumble. He moves to help, but the look I give him is good enough to keep him back, one hand up and the other turning on a lamp.

His voice is deep, sensual. Like he should be speaking softy in your ear while he fucks you surrounded by silk.

Whoa, okay. I have no idea where that came from, I don’t think about guys like that.

I am gay, but I’m also…let’s say inexperienced.

“Are you famous?”

He smiles.

It really is annoying that everything about this dude is handsome.

I kinda wish I was more like him; I’m all gangly limbs and too skinny. But I also really,really, want something else that scares me with its magnitude. It curls in the pit of my stomach…lower, makes me want to press against him.

“I’m not famous. I found you hurt in the park and couldn’t leave you there.”

“So you took me to your place instead of a hospital?”

“A hotel room,” he corrects.

“My question remains, dude,” I reply, bristling.

He is quiet for a while, then says, “I can take you to a hospital now, if you’d prefer.”

We stare at each other in silence for a long time. Truth be told, I don't like hospitals, too many bad memories that I very much don’t wanna bring to the surface at this very moment.

What concerns me is he doesn’t want me to leave.

“Okay,” I say, daring him. “Take me.”

After a pause he strolls to the door and opens it, letting in light that blinds me. Covering my sensitive eyes, I squeeze them shut to push back a new wave of dizziness. There’s a click and the light shuts off, the room once again bathed in soft darkness. When I drop my hands, his face is furrowed in concern.

“You never answered me about monsters.”

I see a flash in his eyes, like he wants to lie. He holds onto that thought before it flows out of him in a sigh. “What’s your name?”

“Golden,” I answer without thinking. Which is stupid. He’s hot, but I’m never this trusting. What’s happening to me?

“What a surprise.” He chuckles, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I glare. “What does that mean?”

“It doesn’t matter, Golden. I’m—”

“Lucero.” His name is pulled from my very core, as if he belonged there. As if on every third beat instead of a thump, my heart whispers his name;Lucero.

I know him.I know him. But from where?