Scarlet - Morning

I couldn't tell when I fell asleep. One minute we were on the balcony arguing and the next it was lights out. No memory of traveling inside, none of who won the argument. It was all blank.

I blinked and observed the room. Sabastian and I were sleeping on the floor. The bandit he saved slept next to the french doors. Due to the closed blinds, the room was still dark, though the clock showed eight o'clock in the morning.

I eased away from under Sabastian's arm and tiptoed to the bathroom. The two girls were still fast asleep on the bed. We were all exhausted from the experience last night.

A bath and every ache disappeared down the drain. There was no relaxing in this Realm, so I had to take what I could get.

A figure caught my eye in the bathroom and I turned off the faucet. The obscured shadow on the opaque glass-plated walls of the shower area danced. I didn't have to pull the door to know who it was.

"Are you done in there?" The shadow moved to the other end of the bathroom.

I cursed at the fact that he wasn't leaving and my clothes were out there with him. There was nothing in here to hide behind to get my clothes.

"I know you are in there, Redhead," he taunted. "Don't tell me you're shy."

I gritted my teeth. My fingers curled in my palms to form a fist. "Why would I be scared? Of you of all people."

A soft chuckle met my eardrums. "You tell me. After all, you're the one hiding in there. But, you're not that smart, Princess. You trap yourself in a small space. One slide off that door and you'll be helpless."

That brute!

I slid the glass door open. "I loathe you."

Sabastian's back was to me. He was busy adding toothpaste to a toothbrush. "So you keep saying. I wonder if you felt the same way when he curled next to me last night."

Ugh, I couldn't even remember laying next to me.

I stepped out of the shower onto the mat. Soft, fluff of feathers caressed the sole of my feet.

"What did you do to me last night?" I dried myself with a towel and plucked my underwear off the towel rack. "I don't remember much from last night."

Too busy brushing his teeth, Sabastian didn't answer me right away. Or he could, he just wanted me to sweat a little. This man was getting on my nerves.

He rinsed out his mouth. "I did nothing to you. You were the one who played hero and used up too much of your energy. You fainted. It was a blessing for you I was there to catch you."

A blessing, huh? Then why did it sound like a curse?

He washed out the toothbrush under the running water. "I know Jones taught you manners. This is the part where you should say, thank you, Sabastian. You really saved my life. Twice."

I growled at the mention of my father's name. Father was a respected man with a seat on the High Council board. He was the leader of the vampire community and followed by multiple sorcerers. All of them used his last name to address him. If this guy used his name so casually, it would mean two things. Either he knew Father well or he worked for him. It was not uncommon for even werewolves to follow Father. He often aligned himself with other species than his own.

'Keep your friends close but hug your enemies tighter. They are the ones who'll help you against your so-called friends' were the words he often preached to me. Not because I was a vampire, it didn't mean interacting with other creatures was prohibited. The world was huge and we should make the best of it.

Father was the kind of man to help every and any creature. He would give his all for even his enemies just to convert them to allies. This strategy made him one of the most feared and powerful creatures who ever lived. It and the rumors about his temper. I had never seen it. He had always showered me with love and laughter. I had seen him in battle and he was always calm. Never angry.

I pulled on my jeans. "How do you know my father? Were you companions?"

Sabastian stashed the toothbrush in a toothbrush holder beside the sink and shut off the tap. "I'm not at liberty to answer your questions. When you are ready to thank me, you let me know."

I pressed my lips together. Irritation settled beneath my skin. I turned my back to him and buttoned the front of my blouse. It was no use arguing with him. It was what he wanted. I had to focus on finishing this mission and staying alive in the process. Kyleon and Brianna were waiting for me back home. They were going to need help to help Mother.

The thoughts of home hindered me from sensing Sabastian was no longer at the sink but behind me. When I did, his hands were already on my hips. With one swift move, he spun me around to face him. It ripped a sharp yelp from my lips. The lowered eyebrows and thinned lips made him look even fiercer in his human form.

"I don't like to be ignored," he let out. "It's very rude to turn your back to someone who is talking to you."

My lips parted with a comeback but a knock sounded on the bathroom door. Sabastian did not attempt to answer it even after the third knock. When the fourth came he hissed and released my lip. Two long strides and he yanked the door open. It was the two girls. The small one cowered into her sister's arms, away from the bandit. He was seated in the corner with the cloak over his head, shielding his eyes.

"What is it?" Sebastian all but roared.

The smaller child hid her face in her sister's nightgown. The older stared at me.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "but Chloe wanted to use the bathroom. She tried to hold it for as long as she could."

Gold eyes glared at the kid, hiding behind her sister.

"Sorry about that," I smiled, gaining their attention. "We are done in here. You guys can come in."

I strolled up to the alpha and clasped his hand. He allowed me to drag him from the bathroom. The girls entered and closed the door behind them.

As soon as the door was closed, Sabastian collapsed on the bed. "When are they leaving?"

I glanced at the door, hoping the girls didn't hear him. "When they are comfortable to, you big jerk. When is he leaving?"

I pointed at the bandit on the floor. Sabastian glanced in the direction of my finger.

"With us," he deadpanned.

This bandit couldn't be trusted. We could not bring him with us. He may have not done us anything last night but there were other nights.

I kept quiet and folded the sheets we slept on, packing them away.

In the middle of everything, Sabastian stood and turned to the bandit. "No matter what happens don't move until I tell you."

His statement left both me and the ghost confused. Still, the bandit nodded. Sabastian left and opened the door. On the other end stood Angel with breakfast.

"Morning, big guy." She passed him and walked into the room. "I brought us food to eat before our departure."

She stopped short of the bed when she saw the bandit. The alpha closed the door but didn't move. By then the girls exited the bathroom.

Angel observed the room. "Well, somebody had a party last night. I'm disappointed that no one invited me." She turned to Sabastian. "I thought we were friends."

Sabastian's shoulders bounced. He took the bags with food from her. "It wasn't my idea. I wanted to sleep while someone had other plans."

Angel pouted. "I would have bought more food. Oh, well, you'll just have to share."

The alpha frowned. "Not mine. The princess doesn't mind sharing. She's the one who saved them anyway."

I watched the two in awe. Angel didn't even ask about the bandit. Yesterday she was all warnings and today she was quiet when one of them was in the room with us.

In record time, Angel shared the biscuits, tea, and sandwiches. The girls nestled on the bed to the far side opposite of the bandit. They also distance themselves from the alpha and the angel. He was still in the corner next to the french doors. He, too, had something eating. I didn't even know ghosts could eat food. Then again, neither could spirit, but here we all were eating, sleeping, and smelling as if we had bodies. Angel and Sabastian were next to each other on the bed.

Angel sipped her cup of coffee. "So, tell me, what sort of fun did you all have last night?"