He laughs and takes the bouquet from me. "I better go put these up before you make them even bigger. Then they won't even fit on the table any longer." He taps me on the nose with a finger from his free hand at he passes by me.
It's funny because he's trying to act so lighthearted and fun, but doesn't he realize I know him? I can see how tense is he right now and how that was one of his fake laughs. That's the same kind of laugh he'd have with the teachers at school when they would talk to him and go on and on about how great of a reaper he was back then. "You seem tense."
"What?" He sets the plant on the table and takes a deep breath before turning around. When he faces me, he relaxes his shoulders and sits in the chair.
Yeah, he's not fooling me. "Did something happen before you got here?"
"Not at all." He licks his bottom lip and leans back in the chair. "Just have a lot on my mind."
The air around him turns a shade darker, almost as if a storm is rolling in, but the weather outside is sunny with not a cloud in sight. Whatever is going on inside him is affecting the elements around him. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
He stands and shakes his head. “Don't worry. You have enough going on without adding me to your ever-growing list." He brushes his lips over mine and pulls away. "Everything is fine, and I'm going to make you breakfast now." He taps me on the nose and turns his back to me as he heads into the kitchen.
I'm not sure how much to push, but it's obvious that something is worrying him. I have a feeling it's me. It's only a matter of time before my powers begin to go out of sync again. They're going to until all four artifacts are running through me. We both know that, so time is of the essence.
A dark blue hue surrounds him as he pulls out pans to cook French toast. The negative energy connects to me and courses through my body.
I haven't told him about this yet, and I'm not sure now is the right time. It's strange because it's as if I'm looking at him through the eyes of the artifacts themselves. I would never be able to see the magnitude of his apprehension otherwise. Prior to absorbing the artifacts, I would know something was off, but not to this extent.
As Charlie puts egg-soaked bread in the pan, sweet vanilla fills the air, its scent sharper than ever before. Without much concentration, I can identify each individual smell in the air. Vanilla, eggs, yeast, and cinnamon, among others.
It's captivating, but at the same time, I wonder… what am I becoming? Yes, I’m more powerful, and I see things in a different light, but at what cost? I'm not sure what's happening to me.
2
After taking the last bite of my French toast, I place my fork on the plate. My belly is so full I feel like I’m about to burst, but there is no way I’m not going to finish the last bite of bliss. The cinnamon and vanilla are one of my favorite combinations, and I love that Charlie always cook with that in mind.
“Well, I would ask if you’re full, but you had more than me, so I think you’re good.” Charlie’s grin is big, and his shoulders shake with laughter.
“No judging.” I motion around the room, causing a slight breeze. “This is a judgment free zone just like those gyms you see on tv.” The sunflowers rustle.
His eyes lose a little of the warmth they held, and he huffs, tapping the table with his fingers. “Did you mean to do that?”
“Do what?” Crap, I didn’t even notice that I’m using them.
“The wind blows outside, not inside without the aid of a fan or something.” He rubs his hands together and looks around my entire apartment. “I don’t see anything like that in here, so that only leaves you to cause it. So, I want to make sure you’re feeling all right.”
That’s the horrible thing about a studio apartment. You can see the whole living space from one spot. My apartment isn’t big and not the nicest, but this is the first place I’ve had that’s all mine. The only thing that distinguishes the kitchen from the other areas is the linoleum flooring. The rest is covered in dingy gray carpet. Then, there is my couch and TV, and at the far end, the bed that was left behind by the prior renter. It’s small but plenty of room for just me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s part of me.” I don’t want to lie to him, and it’s kind of true. It’s all connected to me now. I need to change the subject and fast. “So what are you doing today?”
“I’ve got to head into work.” He glances down at his phone and frowns. “And I should probably get going. How ’bout I bring home some Mexican food for dinner tonight?”
“Sounds perfect.” I hate that he must go to work. But Luke wants to me head over to the mansion today, and it would be best to go alone. I need to talk to him about what’s going on with me, and I would downplay it if Charlie was there.
He stands and takes the few steps toward me. "Just be careful, okay?" He bends down and presses his lips to mine. "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
"Nothing is going to happen." I reach out and squeeze his hand. "I'll be right here when you get back."
"I love you. Call me if you
