Embers & Spells

19 – City Lights

My hair was on a french braid, my nails the color of mocha. I was wearing a peach knit sweater with tight black jeans, matching it with a pair of boots. I could feel the excitement bubbled in my stomach, the other part of me cheering for this moment.

How many times had I imagined being on a date with someone who actually had an interest in me? A guy who was not intimidated and made me feel accepted. Looking at how Inigo drove the car, his one hand on the steering wheel, while the other arm propped on the car’s window, he looked like he was in a TV commercial.

There was another part of me, a low voice, still nagging why I was here with him, instead of planning on saving my godmother. Looking through the window, I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to shush the noise in my head. The constant flow of thoughts was killing me and I wished there was a spell to freeze the endless stream of overthinking. For a beat, I remembered Arawn Rhy’s pointers on how to kill werewolves, followed by his conclusion that killing would only damn my soul in the underworld.

“I needed a way out.”

Inigo glanced toward me, his charming look getting the best of me. “A way out for what?”

I blinked, realizing I have spoken out loud. “Oh, nothing. It’s just me and my overthinking.”

He nodded, looking back on the road. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll find a way out.”

I smiled at his positivity. “Inigo, can I ask you a kind of personal question?”

“I like it that you’re curious at me.”

I cleared out my throat. “You told me you’re here because you wanted to get away from your family for a while, right?” I watched his demeanor shifted, his shoulder squaring. “That you need some time to figure out what you really want to do. And did it help? Have you figured it out?”

He was quiet for a moment, eyes never leaving the road. Then he spoke, his voice serious. “I haven’t figure it out yet. Seems like, life becomes too complicated for me.”

I nodded, considering his answer. “Is moving away from your family gives you a breath of fresh air?”

He nodded, glancing at me. “Feels like freedom.”

I mirrored his smile, his calm presence making me less anxious.

A massive statue of a maiden sitting on a rock was what would welcome visitors. Variety of lights stood like a wall behind the maiden, catching the attention of the passerby. At the bottom was a huge 'I heart Lox City' was spelled out, standing at least six feet tall.

Inigo parked the car near a church and we made our way to the street. There was an arc just beside a building, leading to what looked like a street of food trucks. There were lots of couples roaming around, taking selfies at the beautiful lights.

“So, what are you hungry for?” he asked as we walked together,  our shoulders grazing .

“There’s a lot,” I murmured. “I don’t know what to choose.”

He laughed as we check out the menus of each food trucks and finally settled in Mob Steaks, where they served ‘the famous steak in town’ as what I read on their banner sign. We sat at the side of the truck, on what looked a DIY bar counter.

“This place is cool,” I commented, taking in the surrounding, hearing laughter coming from a group not far from us and watching as some couples made out at tables under the shade of tree branches.

“I’ve seen this online and just wanted to go with you.”

“And am I really the first one you think of?” I asked, looking at his chocolate brown eyes.

He brushed the back of his neck and scooted closer to me. “It’s impossible not to like you, Tana. I mean, you’re beautiful. And you know how to handle yourself. You know you.”

I felt my breath hitched, not really expecting him to say that. He knew how to use his words well.

“Does that always work?” I asked, trying to hold myself together. “Sweet words?”

Inigo laughed, his voice starting to sound like music to my ears. Damn it. “You’re cute when you don’t know how to handle flattery.” He then shrugged his shoulder. “And yes, it does work. But I know another one that really works.”

“And what’s that?”

He leaned closer to me. “A kiss.”

My eyes suddenly dropped to his lips, smiling alluringly.

Inigo sighed. “It always works like magic.”

I swallowed. Shaking my head, I gently pushed his arm, and he took the hint, creating a gap between our faces.

Our steaks arrived, a petite girl serving it to us. We munched as we talked, him telling me a about going to places with me.

The night was warm, the lights blinking around the street felt romantic, and I swore moments like these only happen in movies. Was this some kind of a consolation life offered me in return of all the chaotic and hellish couple of weeks I had since my soul got damn?

Somebody suddenly approached us, his big shadow casted upon us, getting our attention.

“So, it’s true,” he said, tone hard and had a foreign accent. “You’re hidden away in this shithole.”

Inigo’s composure shifted, his shoulders straight and chest out. The soft look he always had morphed into something strange. But I had seen that kind of look in him, his intimidating look in his past memories.

The stranger who approached us was big, chunky like a bouncer, a tattoo on his arm. There was one guy behind him, glaring at us. And he, too, had an arm tattoo.

“What are you doing here?” Inigo muttered under his breath, turning his back on me.

“You tell me first,” Chunky Guy said. “Who’s that with you?”

“No one,” he answered pointedly. “Run along now, Giro.”

“You do know what you have to do, brother, don’t you?” the other guy said. He was lean and had a boyish look, resembling Inigo.

Are they brothers?

Wait, were they on his pack? Looking at them now made me feel on edge.

Inigo kept his head straight. “I ain’t forgetting anything. So go on your way now before I snap.”

Chunky Guy threw me a look of indifference, like he was disgusted to see me with their brother. I raised an eyebrow, not really know what to make of it.

“Don’t be distracted to some little b***h offering you a snuggle, brother.” Chunky Guy glared at me.

“Did you just call me a little b***h?” I asked, unable to stop myself from meddling. His words sent alarms throughout my body.

“I call things as I see it,” he replied, a smirk on his face.

I was on the verge of cursing him in, make him taste his own fear, but I forced myself not to. Giving myself away to a beast like them wouldn’t do me any good.

“Are you getting all snappy because Inigo don’t have time for your whiny ass?”

Inigo turned around, looking at me.

Chunky Guy chuckled but his face was distorted with anger. “What did you say?”

I sighed, glaring back at him. “It’s in human nature to become deaf when they are scared. So, just tuck your tail and run along now. I guess, it’s what you do best.”

Inigo gave me a stern look. “Tana, what are you doing?” he said, voice low.

“Bitchin’ away,” I answered with a straight face.

He then turned to his buddies, motioning for them to leave.

I felt my cheeks heated at what happened.

“I didn’t know you have so much fire in you,” Inigo said after a while, our steaks now cold.

“He’s asking for it,” I muttered. When he kept his silence, I spoke again. “Inigo, I’m not some little b***h giving away snuggles and kisses.”

His eyes widened. “I know that.”

I pointed to the spot his brothers just vacated. “They don’t. And you didn’t even say anything.”

His brows furrowed. I could tell he was upset. “Sorry that it happened, Tana.” His eyes averted, meeting mine. “But please know what it’s not what you are to me.”

I let his words sunk for a moment, swallowing the lump in my throat. I just nodded, giving away a small smile.