Uncomfortable

A few days have passed since that day. Damian has been less annoying, but he was getting what he wanted. So, why wouldn't he be quiet or cooperative?

"So, Cassandra, how are you feeling?" Damian asks sweetly, smiling.

"I feel better than I have, "She speaks politely, feeling suspicious.

"I'm glad to hear that."

He was being less annoying, but suspiciously happy. Almost too happy.

She sighs, walking into the kitchen.

"What are you looking for?"

"I'm just hungry."

"I can make you something."

"I appreciate it," She speaks politely,"But, I can make myself something to eat."

"Are you sure?" He whispers directly in her ear.

She had been working on controlling her emotions and ability within those few days. She didn't make it obvious, but she was learning. She had been so focused on controlling her anger, or any other vulnerable emotion, that she forgot what pure discomfort felt like.

"Why are you so stiff?" He whispers.

"Why are you touching me?"

She feels her entire body turn cold, but somehow also scalding hot. He backs up, seemingly sensing the change.

"Have you been working on your ability?"

Her skin turns to ice, but she doesn't feel cold. The ice forms spikes, covering her skin. If someone were to touch her, they'd be cut. Most would take it as a warning to back up as they should. But, Damian doesn't. He sets his hand on her shoulder, which only makes her discomfort worse. She watches, frozen, as the spikes insert themselves into Damian's hand. She isn't controlling this, her discomfort is. He just stares back at her as the spikes dig deeper into his skin.

"Are you doing this or is this your emotions?"

She remains silent, unable to speak. She doesn't feel that she can even breathe, let alone focus on retracting the spikes. They just keep digging deeper into his skin, and for some reason, he takes the pain.

"What's going on in here?"

Lucian's voice breaks the uncomfortable atmosphere, leaving room for Cassandra to breathe again. She slowly calms herself as the spikes retracted, traces of blood clearly showing.

"What is going on?"

"Nothing, "Damian speaks blankly as he exists the room, blood dripping from his wounds.

"Hey, cover your hand! Why are you bleeding all over my carpet?" They hear Shadow yelling,"I just vacuumed!"

"What happened?"Lucian asks gently.

"I, "She speaks slowly, regaining control over her emotions, "I've been working s-so hard to...control my rage. I never anticipated to feel uncomfortable. I forgot what that feeling felt like. He just...got really close. He was being...weird. Sweet, but I don't trust it. I was polite, we talked briefly. But, he followed me in here and got really close. Too close- and then ice...my skin became covered in ice. He didn't back up. He put his hand on my shoulder and it formed spikes. He still didn't back up, and the spikes just-"

"It's alright, "He gently pulls her to him, "You're okay."

She feels herself relax, feeling a little more at ease.

"Are you okay, do you want something to eat?"

Even as her stomach growled, she couldn't eat. The incident made her feel sick. She isn't sure how to feel. Why did he do that, why didn't he back up and just give her space?

She shakes her head, "I was, but I'm not hungry anymore."

"Cas, if I may call you that, you need to eat."

She has noticed that she feels a little more relaxed around Lucian. He is almost like an older brother figure to her, gentle but stern. She didn't have that growing up or at all through her life, so his presence gave her comfort.

"I know, but I don't think I can eat. I just feel so-"

"Stressed," Damian finishes for her, standing in the doorway.

His hand is bandaged, and she notices Shadow standing beside him. His expressions says that he's worried, but he also looks irritated about the mess.

"Damian, I think you should go. Give Cassandra some space for a bit."

"Why, so you can have her for yourself?"

She feels her body tense, her discomfort returning. His words irritate her, she knows what he's insinuating. His words make her feel sick. Has Damian noticed that they're closer? Did he read how they interact at all?

"If he was paying attention, he would't have said it. Or, maybe he said it to get under my skin again,"She thinks to herself.

Shadow breaks the silence, "What the hell is going?"

"I'll explain, "Lucian speaks seriously, "Cassandra, you need to rest. Damian, we need to talk."

She nods, walking carefully to her room. She's aware of how close Damian is, wanting to avoid the previous situation. She feels a hand on her shoulder and tenses.

"You're okay," Lucian reassures.

She mentally thanks him, walking quickly to her room. She still isn't sure how to feel. She is relieved to have abilities to protect her, but that whole situation felt so off. Why was he suddenly so touchy, affectionate, even? She knows what they agreed to, but that doesn't require him to try to get close to her. He could have just left her alone, so why is he being so weird? His behavior doesn't add up, he is being too gentle. He hadn't cared at all before, or was it even him? A thought crosses her mind, one that gave her hope. Could it be? Are souls able to take control of their "vessel", forced or not?

"Could it be? Is she trying to reach me? Is that why he seemed so unhappy and surprised by the ice spikes? Was that his reaction?"

It's not as if she could just ask the internet, right? She'd have to find someone who knew about all this, someone who understood the "unknown" or "supernatural". She could ask Lucian, but would he know everything about souls? Maybe she's better off asking-

Her thoughts are cut off by someone at her door, "You called?"