A shiver of the skin

                                        

                                              
I got out at Alex’s house because he said we needed to discuss the terms of him winning the competition. And even as tired as I was, I am a gracious loser so I agreed to listen even though I wanted to go home and sleep. It was my first time seeing Alex’s place so I kicked off my heels and shamelessly padded around the apartment while he set up two glasses from his kitchen. Well I’d wanted to try more of the wine and it seemed he did too, but a part of me was nervous for it, so I worried at my stitches anxiously.  “What’s this?” I asked suspiciously.
                              

                              
“My demand; that we celebrate a fun night out and new friends.” He answered, pouring me a glass. I liked this demand better than having to call him sir; we’d made a deal so I drank the wine. “Not bad, I was half afraid it was going to taste awful.” He said after taking a bit. So we sat on his couch, talking while we drank. Even with the Fae wine he was an obnoxious asshole. We were near the bottom of the bottle and my stitches were itching insanely so I kept scratching them but it didn’t help. Then a couple snapped with an audible twang and  I started bleeding.
                              

                              
“Son of a bitch!” I exclaimed and clamped a hand on the wound. I stood up and wobbled over to the bathroom sink. I had an obscene urge to laugh as blood dripped into the sink. I didn’t want to get blood on my brand new, only worn once dress, and though I wasn’t bleeding badly I wasn’t exactly 100% stable either so I awkwardly peeled off the dress.
                              

                              
“You ok Callahan?” Alex asked, watching from the door. He looked at the lingerie I’d stripped down to and an eyebrow shot up, but like a gentleman he kept eye contact with me instead of leering at my exposed body.
                              

                              
“Popped a stitch and started bleeding, other than that I’m alright.” I replied, patting my arm clean and dry. The popped stitches still oozed blood. “Can you bandage this for me? It’s in an awkward location for me to do it myself.” I asked.
                              

                              

                              
“There’s a housecoat on the back of the bathroom door.” Alex informed me as he grabbed some bandages and tape and led me back to the couch where he took off the white shirt to avoid blood stains. I sat next to him with the house coat belted in place but with one arm free so he could hold it on his lap and tape it. Heat radiated off of his body against my cold arm and his hands were gentle as he used butterfly stitches to close the wound. “Better?” he mumbled, looking at me. I nodded, head feeling oddly light thanks to the wine. “How’s the neck?” he asked, voice a little off. I tilted my head to the side so he could check the bite mark. I could feel his breath as he leaned over to check it out. “It’s leaving a scar.” He mumbled, running a finger over the tender spot which caused goose bumps to race down my skin.
                              

                              
“That hurts.” I said softly, grabbing his hand to stop it moving. I was lying, it didn’t hurt at all but it scared me that I wanted him to keep touching me.
                              

                              
“Sorry.” He looked at me, bright orange eyes glassy and his dark skin seeming flushed. “I think the magic in the wine has kicked in.” he added and scooted away as if I were dangerous.
                              

                              
“Yeah.” I agreed, hurt by his fear. To be fair I was dangerous when I lost control, and if Barry had told him that then Alex would know to be cautious around me and my violent magic. Since the wine amplifies emotions the fear quickly escalated only this time my usual anger didn’t follow to temper it. Just the panic that flared up, eating over my skin and staining the air around us with flickers of fire and water and earth while the air swirled in agitation.