Danger

“Malak? Boy, what the hell are you doing?” Malak woke to Dr. Sowa’s voice low in his ear. 

Angel was still sleeping curled up in his arms. Malak’s face turned as red as one’s face could and his eyes grew wide. The sudden change in his heartbeat must have disturbed Angel, as she stirred ever so slightly.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” he whispered, trying not to wake the sleeping beauty. “She was crying. I only comforted her.”

“Both of you half naked in a bed and you expect me to believe that’s all that happened? Really?”

“Both half…” Malak’s voice trailed off as he actually looked at the girl in his arms. She wore a pale blue nightie but it was roughly the length of a shirt. The blankets had come off of her, he was unsure of when this may have happened, and he could see… He turned away, a look of horror on his face.

“Huh. You really didn’t know. Well that’s even more amusing.”

“I- She- What are you doing here anyway?” He tried to change the subject and his train of thought along with it.

“I have a message for you, of course.” The doctor looked serious.

“Well get out, I need a moment to get free without waking her.”

“Mm hmm. You have five minutes before I wake her myself.”

Malak carefully lifted Angel just enough to slip out from under her and gently lowered her onto the pillow. She curled up again, hugging one of the pillows close, and he walked out to meet the doctor in the living room. 

“What the hell was so important that you had to show up at four in the damn morning, old man?” Malak demanded.

“Well, I don’t exactly have an appointment with Angel today and your damn phone is always off so I had to catch you when you’d be alone. Don’t get on me for your actions being unexpected and awkward to walk in on.”

  “You haven’t answered my question,” Malak was growing impatient. 

  “I thought it might be a good idea to warn you that there’s a vampire in the area. It was tracked to the area where we buried the remains of the one that attacked you and there we lost the scent as the storm rolled in. Keep doors and windows locked, alarms set and your guard up. I’m worried it may have your scent and it may be out for revenge.” 

  “Then Angel is in danger…” Malak looked back towards her room, suddenly terribly afraid his presence might be bad for her. “I want Raven, Alex and Tamaya here by tomorrow night to watch over Angel. I will personally find this vampire and find out what it’s doing here before I rip out it’s heart and stuff it down it’s throat.”

  “Malak, you know I’m not going to allow you to go hunting something we’re unsure of all alone.” 

  “I don’t give a damn about what you think you’re not going to allow. I will end it for daring to come anywhere near here.” Malak’s eyes shone with an anger so fierce that Dr. Sowa actually felt sorry for whatever might become the target of his wrath, be it vampire or otherwise. 

  “Malak y-“ Malak shot him a look that demanded silence.

  “I will not let anything or anyone threaten her safety.” Malak stood with his fists and his fang-like teeth clenched. 

  “Her? I see. So you’re falling for the girl…” Dr. Sowa was surprised. Malak had never been one to form anything that could be considered much of a bond. The idea of him falling in love was preposterous to anyone who knew him. Malak simply turned, walked to his room and closed the door. 

 

  Angel woke to the smell of bacon in the air. Her mouth watered. She walked drowsily to her doorway and looked down the hall, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

“Malak?”

Malak poked his head around the corner in response to her call and dropped the spatula he had been holding. His eyes went wide and his face went red. It was almost as if she aimed to do this to him, as often as she did it.

“Angel?”

“Huh?”

“You’re… Uh… Still in your night clothes…” He averted his eyes and attempted to speak intelligent words but this was all he could manage.

“I’m wh-“ She looked down at herself, her eyes bugged, she yelped and bolted back into her room, slamming the door behind her as she went.

That woman is going to be the death of me.

Malak sighed. 

Angel returned after a while, fully clothed and blushing so brightly her cheeks almost matched her hair. Her eyes wouldn’t meet Malak’s. 

“I made eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes. I figure one of them has to be your favorite.” Malak smiled warmly.

“Thanks.” Her voice was meek, nothing like he’d heard it before.

“So, which is it?” He inquired.

“Which is..?” She looked puzzled for a second. “Oh! My favorite? I’m gonna have to go with bacon.”

“You have good taste.” 

  Angel imagined his smile could melt the heart of even the most frigid thing alive. Which would be… Katherine? She smiled at the thought, almost laughing aloud. 

  “Malak?”

  “Yes?”

  “Want to go for a walk after breakfast?”
“Sure.” There was that smile again.