The Fighter (Book 1)

Chapter 11

I woke with a start, sitting upright and blinking the remnants of dreams away. There was a hand on my back, rubbing gently.

“You’re okay, sweetheart,” he cooed, “Lie back down, baby.” I did as Zack asked, curling into his side on my bed. He pressed a kiss into my hair, wrapping his arms around me and pushing loose hair behind my ear. My heart pounded in my ears, and I was beyond confused as to what happened. “We probably aren’t going to see Pompeii tonight…or go night swimming.”

I buried my face in his neck, taking a long drag of his the campfire scent of his skin. “What happened?”

“I truly don’t know exactly what did happen. Gabriel’s still analyzing the contents of the vial, but Apollo seems to have been mind-jacked,” Zack shrugged his shoulders. I pulled back enough to look at him, questioning what the hell mind-jacking was. “Someone had control of his mind. He swears on his life that he would never hurt you, and I don’t know. I guess I believe him.”

“But we don’t know who did it?” Zack shook his head. “And we don’t know what they were trying to give me?” Another shake of his head. “Perfect.”

“Gabriel looked at your neck. Said there wasn’t any serious damage. You might have bruises, but that’s it. How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

“Fine as I can be,” I mumbled. “This is Michael’s fault. If he hadn’t told anyone that I was the Savior, then we’d be looking at Mount Vesuvius right now.”

“If you’re feeling up to it, we’ll go, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable for you first time seeing ruins,” he kissed my forehead, leaving a playful trail of kisses down to my cheek.

“How’s your hand?” I asked, snuggling up into his side and pressing a kiss into his neck. He shrugged his shoulders. “How do you not know?”

“I’m too busy making sure you’re okay to focus on myself, sweetheart. Nothing can hurt me as long as you’re okay,” he smiled. “You make me a god, you know. I’m invincible around you, darling.”

I blushed, making him giggle. There was a thump coming from down the hall, catching my attention. “What’s that?”

“Eros,” Zack rolled his eyes. “These walls are supposed to be soundproof.”

“What’s he doing?”

“Just ignore it,” he kissed my forehead. “Do you want to go out to eat? I could fix you something if you don’t. I just figure you’re hungry after being nearly-strangled-to-death.”

“I don’t care, it’s up to you,” I sat up, being pulled back down. Zack crawled on top of me, lips hovering over mine. “How long have I been out?”

“Half an hour,” he shrugged his shoulders, kissing me quickly. “Let’s go out to eat. There’s this fantastic place I know of, and it’s just…Jesus, it’s perfect.”

“Let’s go then,” I smiled, laughing when he refused to move.

“I like lying here with you,” he hugged me tightly, kissing my neck. “I like when you sleep, too. You talk, and it’s cute.”

“I don’t talk in my sleep.”

“Yes, yes, you do,” he smirked. “Ask Eros. He was still in the room at that point.”

“Eros!!” I yelled the god’s name as loud as I could, hearing him throw the door open. Zack had a smirk on his lips as Eros skidded to a stop on the hardwood floor clad in nothing but a towel.

“What?! Are the Elders burning down Heaven?! Is the building on fire?!” he panted, looking between Zack and me. “What?!”

I raised an eyebrow, “Do I talk in my sleep?” The god smacked his hand to his forehead.