CHAPTER TWELVE: MIDNIGHT CRAVINGS

SAGE'S POV

I jerked awake with a sharp gasp, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest.

I looked around trying to remember how the hell I was back in my apartment. Just then the front door exploded open with a loud crack that made me flinch. Large shadowy figures walked in and I held my breath, frozen in place.

They yanked open every drawer and cabinet, throwing my clothes across the floor in messy heaps and books flew around like they were nothing.

Scared that they might find me, I crouched low behind the torn couch, trying to make myself as small as possible.

One of the shadows moved closer, heavy footsteps thudding on the carpet. Holding my breath, I pressed my back harder against the wall. My eyes squeezed shut as I prayed I'd turn invisible.

But a rough hand suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me out into the open. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out. No matter how hard I tried, it felt like I was sealed in some sort of vacuum.

Just then my eyes flew open and I sat up, sweat dripping down my face. The lights were turned off and I rushed to the bedside turning on the small lamp.

My eyes scanned my surroundings, taking in the large bed and the purple decor. Slowly I let out a sigh of relief, I was still in Dante’s mansion.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "It was only a dream I whispered to myself. No one was here, they couldn't even get past Dante's security. I had seen it for myself.

After a few more slow breaths I decided a short shower might help wash the nightmare away. Grabbing fistfuls of the duvet I swung my legs over. I was still wearing the same jeans and shirt I had on when Crystal and I went shopping earlier.

The fabric felt sticky and uncomfortable against my skin now. I glanced toward the walking closet and wondered what I was going to wear afterward.

For a second I thought about heading to Crystal’s room to borrow something, but then I remembered I had already asked one of the maids to bring some clothes earlier.

I walked over and opened the closet door expecting just a small paper bag but my eyes widened in shock.

Most of the shelves were already filled with clothes. Neat stacks of tops and pants sat on the shelves. Dresses and sleeved shirts were hung in rows not to mention the dozens of shoes at the bottom.

I stood there staring, wondering when they had brought all of this in and how deep I must have been asleep that I didn't even hear a thing.

I pushed the thought away before it could settle in and bother me too much. After spending a few minutes searching, I finally picked out a nightgown and headed for the bathroom.

The hot shower felt good as the water ran over my skin. Steam soon filled the large room and the tightness in my chest faded into nothing.

I didn't want to leave even after a full hour but my hands had begun to prune, and the thought of being called out for wasting so much water had me out in no time.

I threw on the silk night gown in no time, putting my hair in a loose braid as I walked towards my bed.

I climbed in hoping to sleep with a slow crawl back in but the minutes passed, and my eyes remained as wide as possible.

Frustration grew and as if trying to rage bait me, memories filled by a certain person began to seep in. The way he had pulled me against his chest earlier today when I was shaking.

The calm way he spoke to me was like I was something fragile he needed to protect. The black card he had handed me without hesitation. It all annoyed me more and more the longer I lay there.

I did not want to think about him and I sure as hell didn't want to feel anything towards him. "Go to sleep," I groaned, tossing and turning until my chest was heaving, the bed a mess.

Just when my mind finally started to clear a little, a new feeling pushed its way in. Hunger. I did not know exactly what I wanted at first, but then the craving for something sour hit me hard.

I wanted pickles so badly my mouth started watering just thinking about the taste. Letting out my nth sigh of the night I pulled off the covers, hopping down. There was no need to fight anyway.

The mansion looked far bigger in the dark and if it wasn't for my growling stomach I almost turned back.

The worst part, I kept ending up in sitting rooms or near staircases I did not recognize. After the fifth wrong turn, I finally found the right door and pushed it open.

When I stepped inside the kitchen I stopped for a second, shocked by how large and expensive everything looked. Stainless steel appliances gleamed under the dim lights, making me squint my eyes.

There were two huge refrigerators, a professional stove with multiple burners, and long counters that reminded me of all the fast food chains I had worked in.

What really caught my attention though was the plate of food sitting inside the microwave. I couldn't really tell what it was but from the aroma that filled the kitchen, I could only imagine how good it would taste.

I reached out to stop the timer but decided against it heading for the refrigerator. I spent the next hour searching for the pickles. Getting so desperate, I searched every cabinet my hands could touch.

Finally, I spotted a jar on one of the high cupboards. It was too high for me to reach even when I stood on my toes. I looked around for a step stool but saw none.

With a frustrated huff, I climbed onto the counter, balancing carefully as I stretched my arm up toward the jar. "What do you think you're doing?" A familiar voice muttered and my hand froze midway.

I turned quickly to see Dante standing in the doorway, staring at me with a confused expression on his face. "Nothi—" The words flew out of my mouth as my foot slid against the marble counter.

A scream tore through my throat as I fell backwards heading straight for the hard floor. My eyes squeezed shut and I waited for the impact only to land on a pair of warm hands.