“No” She gasped loosely, staggering back. Her heart raced. “You- you can’t be here”
Leaning against the granite countertop in the middle of the kitchen, a warm smile played on familiar lips. “And yet I am. You miss me darling?”
Bile bubbled up in her throat. “You died.” She hissed. The smell of wet paint and pine was dizzying as it filled up the apartment. The lease still laid on the counter. A year. It had been a year since she finally rid himself of the old memories and moved somewhere new. Somewhere that didn’t smell like winter and frost.
Curious eyes cut across the room, sharp as a blade. Everything they landed on, the hero made a mental note to throw away. Gloved fingers danced over a shelf, lingering on a small woven basket filled with decorative balls. “I remember Mexico. You didn’t want to leave. You wanted to stay an extra day. But work called- like always.” A small sigh.
The hero was going to be sick. She shouldn’t have brought the basket to her new life. She thought the personal keepsake hadn’t been tainted by the villain but she was wrong. But burying it away now wouldn’t be enough. Burials could be faked. Proof of that stood in front of her, stared at her, expectantly. No, she would have to burn it. Watch it go up in smoke. When nothing remained but ashes, she could brush them aside and restart her life.
“Work called because there was a new string of murders.” Her voice trembled. She hated it. “But you knew that.”
Tsking, the villain swept closer, caressing a finger under the hero’s chin. The scent of pine was overwhelming now, enveloping her in a cold embrace. “They weren’t supposed to find them until after we were back from the trip. Why would I want to leave paradise early?”
The hero flinched back, Her lover let her. The hero almost wished she hadn’t. The soft touches reminded her of early mornings and candle light dinners instead of the violence she knew the hands were capable of.
The villain had the gall to look hurt at the space between them. “It wasn’t your fault” she said softly, letting her hand drop back down to her side.
The hero’s eyes flicked up. They had known each other long enough to know what was going on with each other. Maybe all she needed was an explanation from her for closure- “The choice about calling the station. It’s okay. I forgive you. We can still go back to paradise, darling” She continued.
The hero’s fingers dug into her palm, grounding her. That wasn’t the right response. They didn’t know each other well. Not anymore. Had she ever known her well? Surely a girlfriend would know when her partner was a killer. How blind had she been?
A sharp breath and she stepped back again. The floor beneath her squeaked in protest. “There is no paradise anymore. Not with you.” Not without her either. Up in flames. That’s where that dream had gone.
Her ex-lovers hands wrung together. The hero stared. Once those hands had cupped her cheeks. Caressed her skin. Promised her the world. Now all she could see was the way they could twist a neck. End someone’s world. What lives had ended so they could have their happily ever after?
“Don’t be like that,” There was a soft plead in her voice. “I did what I had to so we could build our future. The names from your files weren’t good people. You knew that. You hated them. They gave you nightmares.”
A disgusted noise left the hero’s throat. She had a different variety of nightmares since she found out who her love really was. “I hate you.” She stalked forward, heat licking at her tongue. She jabbed a finger against the villains chest. She was within killing range. Her hands could easily reach out. Slip a knife through her ribs. Wrap around her neck. Too close. The smell of winter fueled her rage instead of quenched it. “Your name is on a file. Your name is on a goddamn obituary. Right where it should have fucking stayed.” She had no right to come back into her life and ruin everything. She didn’t need an explanation for closure. She needed her gone. Only one body would let her truly build her future. Only when nothing remained but ashes, could she brush them aside and restart her life.
2087
stormborns
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