Fall From Grace (15 page)

I look to Ed, about to reassure him myself, but he's staring at me, slack jawed, not saying a word. Ok now I'm starting to get freaked out a bit. I turn to Ash and he looks like he's about to say something, but instead he grabs my hand and lays a hand on Ed's shoulder. Seems innocent enough but the hulk actually stumbles back, as if by force, maybe he likes the drink a little too much?

"Get it together fella, I mean I know she's pretty and all, but she's here with
me
."

I blush at the compliment and Ed scrambles to move out of the way. It's almost like he's scared of Ash. Ginormous burly Ed scared? Absurd.

"Sorry Asher, I um, just... Sorry," he stammers and wipes a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

"Can you give me a sec Stell? Head on up and I'll just be a minute."

I nod and walk towards the large staircase that leads to the exhibit rooms. The white marble is gleaming even in the moonlight as I make my way up the main steps where it branches off into two directions. There's a balcony overlooking the main foyer and I turn to take another glance around. You can really feel the history here. Ohh and the tension.

My focus is trained on these two 'old friends' as Ash is quietly but aggressively whispering to Ed like he's giving him the what for. He senses me looking and flashes a forced grin, Ed looks up and meets my eyes for a second before quickly averting them and staring back at the floor. Ash pats him on the back as Ed flinches from the touch. Ash turns to leave and takes the steps two at a time to meet me.

"What was that about? He's acting like your bitch, you sure you don't have mob ties or something?" I smile but really I'm not so sure, some things aren't adding up.

Ash looks away from me, smiling, and grabs my hand as we make our way up the steps. Hmmm avoid the question much?

"So what is this all about anyways? I mean we could have come tomorrow when it was actually open. If you're trying to impress me, I think a bag of chocolate covered almonds would have sufficed," I say with a grin.
 

"I was hoping to -- well, something like that yeah," he says grinning back. His eyes betray him though; I can tell something is off. If I was born with a natural gift, it's definitely intuition. He's totally hiding something.

"Actually there is something I want you to see. I know that being a patron of the dark arts, you might find it intriguing," he says with a grin.

I shoot him a quizzical look but follow him nonetheless. We make our way into one of the main gallery rooms for special exhibits and instantly I'm taken aback. I'm overcome with the strangest sensation. Like a hot lava running through my veins. Ash is looking at me hesitantly, like he's waiting for something to happen. I break my hands from his grasp and walk towards the antiquities that fill the room.

"What IS all this stuff?"
 

"Most of it is from the middle ages. Some items much older. I heard through the grapevine that you are a bit of a super natural enthusiast," he says with a little smile as he slides his hands into his pockets and walks up beside me.

"Oh God, who told you? I'm going to kill Gabs!" I'm blushing madly.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me Stella. I have to admit I'm drawn to it too," he says gaining uber points by bringing me here.

"I feel like an idiot, but yes, I have an embarrassing affinity for the weird and unexplainable." I walk closer to a small painting, an oil of a witch being tied up to a stake, about to meet a horrific fiery death. The small plaque below reads: 'Salem Witch Trials 1692'. I swear for a second I see her moving, writhing in pain, as the flaming tendrils rise up to lick her face, melting it like a plastic doll. I blink my eyes a few times and it's back to normal, must be the darkness playing tricks on me.

"It's a pretty fascinating exhibit really. A jumble of items of either unknown origin or use. Each one has legends tied to it though that tell a more fantastical story."

Ash indicates this giant broadsword with an almost greenish black tinge to the metal blade. It looks like it must weigh about 30 pounds, how did anyone even carry that monster?

"Take this sword. Myth has it that it was forged from a unique and blessed metal, designed by this mad blacksmith in the 1400's. He claims he created it to massacre the so called 'Gretel' demon; legends of Demonology were a more learned subject back in the day. This particular demon was a truly nasty S.O.B that fed on the life force of children. I think it was named after the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, you know, two kids lured to their death by some crazy witch. Well, apparently the
Gretel
slaughtered a whole town's young population; a horrific nightmare case that was never actually solved. The demon seemed to have disappeared without a trace, never to be seen again..." he trails off leaving an eerie silence hanging in the air.

"Ohhhh, sccccaaaaaarrrrrryyyyyyy..." I went all phantom voice on him, and it echoed eerily throughout the room, great acoustics.

Ash pays no attention to my awesome attempt at funny quips and keeps going.

"Now this bowl shaped object right here is 'supposedly' an ancient and magical mortar that warlocks created potions in. The story suggests that ordinary herbal ingredients took on new supernatural properties and very powerful infusions were made to assist in spells and rituals."

"Supposedly, meaning, you don't think it's true?" I question.

"Hell no, it's just an old bed pan!" he laughs.

Giggling with him, I wasn't expecting that answer at all.

When I compose myself I look up at him and smile, "This stuff is amazing, thanks for taking me here." I hug my arms into myself trying to calm the still present heat in my body.

"I thought if we came at night, away from the screaming kids and sceptics who don't get 'it', you would get a better feel of the spooky factor. I love this stuff too... " he trails off.

I avert my eyes back to the artifacts and see a really strange and teeny knife, almost like it couldn't kill a flea. When I say it's teeny, I mean the blade is small, the base is very large and quite grand. Perhaps it was broken? The hilt is very heavy looking with an intricate latticework design that spans around the perimeter of the handle. Your hand slips inside and is nearly all covered as you wrap your fingers around the inside shaft. The blade is blunt with a square edge and it's only about 1 or maybe 2 inches long.

"Do you know what this is? Has it been broken?"

"Ahhh, yes I have heard of this before; the Seela Dagger.
Legends claim that it was designed for only the purest of hearts, a magical being known unoriginally as 'the one' who would save the earth from chaos taking on the nastiest of demons from the underworld. A super natural superman, or super human Buffy if you will."

"It's a little unimpressive isn't it? I know they say size doesn't matter, but c'mon."

Ash chuckles at that, "Well the story states that when the chosen one places it in his hand, the blade will flourish into an incredible broadsword that can kill any demon. Apparently 'the one' has yet to come into existence."

"Kinda makes you want to touch it eh?"

"I already have," he says with a smirk.

"No dice?"

"Nope," he answers.
 

"Well whoever created it surely missed the boat on that one. I mean why create something that you will never be known for? Or better yet, profit from? I'd be like, sure yeah I can make this sword, but what is it really going to get me? Maybe I should design indoor plumbing or a small pox vaccine. They sure could have used that way back in the day. Kinda a waste of resources don't cha think?"
 

Ash laughs as our giggles reverberate off the silent walls. I feel strangely energized in this room, surrounded by such cool Shit. It makes me giddy in the oddest of ways, like I've just had a giant espresso. I hug my arms closer to myself, revelling in the fantasy of this room. Ash is reading a small write up under some giant mask-like object so I take my chance in the darkness to really size him up. The moonlight coming in through the windows cast romantic shadows on his cheek bones, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. He's physically gorgeous, I know that, but coming here to this place, I feel a certain protectiveness over him, a really strong connection to him. My body feels full of tingles and something else I just can't put my finger on. I know you're going to say 'hormones dummy!' but it seems to be more then that. He turns then as if feeling my gaze upon him. We just look at each other for a moment, caught in a magnetic pull, feeling something happening in the pit of my stomach which I can't imagine is one-sided.

In two strides he closes the gap between us and before I can even form a coherent thought, he snakes his hands behind my neck and pulls me into a frantic kiss. His lips are soft at first but then move with an urgency, like he can't get enough of it, leaving me rasping and wanting so much more. I give myself completely to him as I grab him from behind his neck, reach up on my tippy toes and entwine my hands into his hair with a force I didn't even know I possessed. I pull myself up as he moves his arms to lock around my waist, holding me even closer. His fingers inch up my back, exploring my body as we move together like we are built for this one act of pure sexual release. My legs feel wobbly, like the ground is trembling, about to fall away and take us with it. I never want it to stop.
 

But it does.
 

In an instant he untangles himself from me and steps back with an abrupt quickness. I open my eyes and he's standing about five feet away from me now, breathless and clearly trying to compose himself. How did he get so far from me so fast? Actually, more importantly, why?
 

I stare at him and try to figure out what I did wrong. He's looking back at me with the same heat in his eyes I am sure of it. It almost seems like he's trying to gauge my reaction. I can surely say that I couldn't have been more forthcoming in that kiss, but he seems suddenly guarded.

My sense of composure is out the window though; like he has awakened a part of me that I didn't know existed, a hunger that wants to control me. I am too stunned to do anything but stare back at him and hope he makes the next move. I give him a little smile and his mouth curves up in relief.

"I've been waiting a long time to do that Stella."

"What took you so long?"

I can honestly say that the long ride home felt more like 4 minutes. I'm sure we chatted, but I couldn't focus on anything, I just kept thinking of that kiss. We left the museum shortly after, like Ash needed to get me out of there on the double. I barely muttered a toodles to Ed and he was ushering me into the car and zooming down the road. I think I can safely say that I wasn't the only one who felt something primordial in that encounter and all I kept thinking about was the fact that he was taking me home to an empty house with no parental figure to keep me virtuous. I think I'm in trouble.

Finally we hit Alessa and pull into my long driveway. Ash cuts the engine and looks over at me with telling eyes. I know what he's thinking but clearly he's trying to be the gentleman and let me lead.
 

"Um, did you want to come in for a bit, it's still fairly early..." And before I finished my sentence he was out the door and walking over to open mine. Oh crap.

My hands were trembling as we walked up the steps to the porch. Trying to find my keys in the black hole purse is going to be a challenge. He's giving me some space, clearly sensing my trepidation. Harve nearly took me out when I finally opened the door but it was an excellent ice breaker. Nothing spoils sexual tension like a 130 pound slobbering dog.

"Ok Harve, I love you too, now get outside and do your thing. What can I say, he adores me," I say looking back at Ash. I shove Harve outside and shut the door behind us. I busy myself in taking off my shoes and coat, trying not to make eye contact until I am sure I've got it together.

"Would you like a tour of the house?"

"No, not really."
 

"Are you hungry? I can make some popcorn and we can watch a movie or something?
 

"No. Not hungry." He says with a grin.

I look up to meet his gaze as he's leaning his back against the front door, his arms crossed in front. I hold his gaze for a few seconds before I turn and pad my way into the kitchen turning on the lights.

"C'mon in Ash, I won't bite... " I say looking back at him with a smile. I like this thing called the upper hand. He's still standing under the shadows of the living room but I can see a lop-sided grin creep across his face.

He moves into the kitchen after me and plays nice. "Actually popcorn sounds good. Let me make it for you," he says. I watch him for a minute before I clue into the fact that he seems to know his way around the kitchen, like the whole kitchen. He even knew where to find the cooking oil?

I step up behind him eyeing his clear knowledge of our cupboards. "Can I ask how you are so adept at rooting around my cupboards for supplies, have you been spying on me Mr. Grey?" I question.
 

Ash's body stiffens, pausing mid task, making my pulse shoot up with the possibility that maybe I've bitten off more then I can chew. Maybe Gabs was right. I've invited a perfect stranger into my empty house. Someone I have no real knowledge of other then the fact that he likes to break into museums in the dark of night. I'm such an idiot.