Renegade ♥’s Reviews > Magpies & Moonshine > Status Update

"That was lovely."
"Lovely?"
I laugh as he pulls me down into the bed, curling me up against him, pulling my head over his heart. I hardly dare to breathe, his easy acceptance of our closeness heightening my sense of wonder and disbelief as he leans over to shut off the lights.
"Did we really just do that?" I ask into the darkness.
"Apparently, we did. And it was f*cking lovely."

*LOL*

"You're not other women, Carly."
Styx acknowledging it lights a soft, warm glow deep inside. "Then it should be better with me, don't you think?"
"That's what I'm afraid of, you little idiot."
Oh. "Good is bad?"
"Sweetheart, w/ you, good could be very, very bad." He drops his face into his hands at my crestfallen look. "I can't stand when you look at me like that," he grinds out. "Disappointing you kills me."

I sit there, staring at the blood of the woman I love. The woman I've kept at arm's length all so she wouldn't get hurt.
Well, she's hurt now, & someone is going to f*cking pay.
The growl builds in my throat until the walls begin to vibrate, louder & louder until [...] the windowpane bows outward, shattering as [I finally roar.]
I don't know who took her but they're already dead.
They just don't know it yet.

You could be inside her in seconds, the beast taunts. Be inside her all night. While we take and take and take.
Until there’s no more left to take.
I snarl and turn away.
“Styx?” she whispers. I snatch up the tray and mutter something about cleaning up before slamming the door on my way out.

"Look, for whatever reason, we all get labels. It's the nature of family & siblings, I guess. But yours isn't weak. More like sweet &... gentle. Not like the rest of us."
She had a point but I was done. "Styx is mine. Sweet & gentle or not, if anyone tries to come between [us], they're going to find that label changing in a hurry."
Without another word, I turned on my heel & left, leaving my sister w/ her mouth open.

The need to protect her wars with the overwhelming urge to make her happy.
Fine. I'll give her this. Just a kiss.
One f*cking kiss. I can handle that.
I think.
"Styx? I-?"
Determined to be quick, I dip my head. She sucks the last of her words back in, her eyes going wide right before my mouth brushes hers.
I intend to stop right there, but that's the thing about good intentions. They're so damn hard to keep.

Harsh, spare lines, unforgivingly masculine, the shadow on his jaw shockingly dark for one with such pale hair. Fascinating.
I blinked. Then looked again. He must have felt my stare because his gaze lifted. Flat, golden eyes like two well-rubbed coins met mine. Just like that, my lightbulb went click.
He frowned. I smiled.
That pretty much sums up our relationship so far.
But now things are changing.

My whole life, I've had this feeling that I was waiting for something.
Not necessarily something dramatic - I don't require a grand love scene accompanied by a swelling operatic crescendo, or even a climactic noir fade to black...
Nope. I was looking for that little throwaway shot, the one that turns the tide of the whole film. A simple shutter click that would make it all come together in a single stroke of clarity.