Where Secrets Lie

Michael's nostrils flared as he drew closer to her. "I heard that you were spending a great deal of time with Logan these days. Did he tell you to do this?"

His aggression seeped from him like smoke, choking her, and she wanted nothing more than to run away. Facing him was a mistake. "No, he didn't," she responded, forcing herself to pretend she wasn't afraid of him.

Before she knew what was happening, he was in front of her and stared down at her. He was so close that if he were able to breathe, she'd feel his warm breath on her skin "You're lying," he stated, his voice calm yet menacing.

Her heart was beating faster than ever, and she knew that he could hear it. "Get away," she said as she pushed him.

"You don't really want to be Logan's servant."

"Please consider releasing me," she whispered.

She turned to leave, but as soon as she opened the door, Michael appeared behind her. He reached over her head and slammed the door shut.

"I don't need to consider it, the answer is no."

Kara turned around to face him, guarding herself, as if he was going to become violent with her once more. Her heartbeat quickened as he reached out for her, but she didn't have to fight back. Instead of attacking her, he pulled her into his arms in a gentle embrace. Softly, he kissed her, his hands caressing her back. Kara's tense muscles relaxed and she kissed him too for a moment; however, her fear soon overtook her. His gentle behavior frightened her more than his violet attitude, and she didn't want to be hurt again. She struggled free of his embrace and ran out of the room.

***************************

The following day, Logan knew what was coming. Alyssa told him everything that happened with Kara, and it was only a matter of time before Michael asked to speak with him.

Right on time, Henry entered his room. "Michael wishes to speak to you."

Logan stood. "Of course he does."

"Are you going to be okay?" Alyssa asked.

He kissed her forehead. "I'll be fine."

"We need to talk, brother."

"He's going for the calm approach first, and then he'll get angry," Logan thought. "Here we go."

*****************************

Kara had been working out at the gym the entire day, trying to stop thinking about her charismatic master, once again. When she was sufficiently exhausted, she stopped and headed back to her room for a shower.

As she exited the bathroom, the notification light on her cellphone caught her attention, and she inspected it to discover she missed a call and had a voicemail. Her heart fluttered and she hoped it was from Michael.

"Oh, it's just Logan," she said as she checked the missed call. "I bet the voicemail is from him too." She began listening to the voicemail and as it continued, her eyes opened wider and wider. When it finally ended, she stood stunned for a moment, not sure what to do.

"Michael," she finally said and headed to his room.

She burst through his door without knocking, but she was so out of breath, she couldn't speak.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked. "Has something happened?"

Kara tried to catch her breath and decided to simply let her phone do the talking. She set her phone on his desk, put the phone on speaker and replayed the voicemail.

The voices of Michael and Logan poured out of the speaker.

"I know what you want to talk to me about," Logan said.

"No, you don't," Michael replied. "I need your help, brother. I don't know what to do. I've never been human, and I don't understand these emotions."

"What emotions?"

"For Kara," he said. "I feel so much for her: love, confusion, and regret. I don't know why she makes me feel the way she does, but I want to be around her. I don't care that she wants me to change because she wants me to be a better me, and I want that too. It scares me. I've never felt like this before. Women usually just make me feel lustful or irritated, but she makes me feel every emotion all at once."

"And that's bad?"

"Yes, I mean no. I don't know. I do know that I hate the way I've treated her, but I don't know how to stop it. I want her to be herself and be free, but I'm so used to people doing what I say. I tried to forget about her by avoiding her, but it only made it worse. Whatever I'm doing, whomever I'm with, my mind is with her, and I don't know what to do about it."

The voicemail ended, and Kara stared at Michael for any response. "Did you know he was recording that?"

"No," Michael replied.

For once, she believed him. It was clearly written on his face that he never intended her to hear that. He sat behind his desk, biting his lip. He looked more human and more vulnerable in that moment than he ever had.

Kara sat down on the desk and looked him in the face. "Why couldn't you just tell me you felt this way? I managed to tell you how I felt. Did you think that I didn't deserve the same courtesy?" Her tone was a mixture of anger and pity.

Michael stood. "I tried, but when you assumed that I only saw you as a plaything, it made me angry. I've been having things assumed about me since the day I was born. I didn't want it from you too. So, I decided to push you away, but it only made my feelings stronger."

Michael leaned into her, his facial features turned dark and menacing. "Humans are worthless tools. We are superior, and they will fall in line because we are meant to rule the world." His face relaxed and he began to laugh. "That's what my uncle taught me, but you came along and challenged everything that I'm supposed to believe in. I can't feed or have sex with other humans without thinking about you. So, no, Kara, you are not another one of my playthings or just another loyal servant. I truly care about you."

Kara didn't know how to respond, but she didn't have to. Before she could speak, Michael placed his fingertips on her cheek and leaned in close. He gently placed his lips against hers and began kissing her. This time, she didn't fight back. She pulled him in even closer and let her tongue slip into his mouth. She roughly pulled open his shirt, the buttons flying everywhere. Michael traveled downward, kissing her neck. He gently caressed her body, making Kara back arch. His strong arms lifted her from the desk and toted her to the bed, his lips never leaving hers for a moment. They began to remove their clothing, devouring each other with their eyes as each bit of their flesh came into view. Kara squealed in delight at the rocking motion between her legs. The rhythm quickened and Kara could no longer contain it. She yelled out, "Michael!"

Michael whispered in her ear, "I love the way you say my name....Kara." He kissed her once more. The night was perfect.