Amethyst Flames

Kayla woke to the sound of pigeons pecking her window. Glancing at the clock, she stood. Well I better at least get dressed in case he shows up.

She shuffled through the closet, trying to decide what to wear. Kayla grabbed a pair of black jeans and tossed them on the table. She swallowed her medication with a quick drink of water. The sound of a knock on the door filled the small apartment. It has to be Zarth. No one else visits me.

“Well at least he knocked this time.” Kayla cringed when she opened the door and the sight of her ex-husband greeted her. She could have sworn her heart skipped a beat. “What do you want? Go away!” She tried to push the door closed, but he reached in, stopping it from closing.

“I don’t want to be here either, but I need your help.” Kyle pushed himself into her apartment. He slammed the door with his foot.

God, give me strength! Anger and fear surged through her body, shaking every muscle. The last time she’d seen him, he had beaten her within an inch of her life—and gotten away with it.

“Pack a bag, you’re coming with me.”

“Excuse me, are you insane? I’m not going anywhere with you! Why should I?”

“It seems the old man is sick. He said if we didn’t get back together, I would be cut out of his will.”

“What does this have to do with me?” A nasty taste formed in her mouth at the mere thought of what he was suggesting. God, how she hated him!

“If you come with me, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars just to act like we’re back together. God knows you need the money. This place is a pit.” He kicked her sofa to prove his point.

To think I married this sorry excuse of a man. Zarth, real or not, is more of a man than him. “I’m not going anywhere with you! I want you out before I call the cops.” She gripped the doorknob tight and swung it open. “I feel sorry for your old man with a son like you.”

Kayla gawked at the doorstep and nearly fainted at the sight of Zarth. An upwelling of relief mixed with shock that he was real surged through her. She smiled and turned back to Kyle with a glower. “Goodbye!” Her head rose with new confidence. She would not be afraid of him anymore.

“We’re not finished,” he declared, crossing his arms over his chest. “Tell the loser to get lost.”

Zarth pulled her into a hug. “Hi, who’s the jerk?” His body was tense, but his voice was calm, he rubbed her back, and she knew he tried to soothe her.

“He’s no one important, but he won’t leave,” she mumbled into his chest, soaking up his strength.

“Then I’ll make him leave.” Zarth’s voice turned firm, but his hands were gentle when he caressed her back.

“Isn’t this cute, but she has business to attend to,” Kyle said from behind her.

The words dripped of venom. It brought back memories of the night he’d attacked her. Kayla’s knees were ready to collapse before she locked them in place to steady herself. She brushed Zarth’s hands off her and turned to face her ex.

“You know, I’m tired of this crap. Why don’t you just leave, Kyle? I didn’t invite you here, and I never would.” Kayla faced Kyle, and anger moved through her body.

“Kayla, why don’t you go into the bedroom and grab your coat? I’ll take care of the trash.” Zarth rubbed her back again and gave her a gentle push toward the bedroom.

She looked over her shoulder, catching Zarth’s smile. It was evil, his attention turned toward Kyle.

“You know, I can handle my life. I’ve been doing it long enough.” She smirked, knowing it was lopsided, which everyone had always told her looked evil. But she didn’t care and walked toward the bedroom.

“Let He-man take care of this.”