The Curse

Descending the staircase, Merlin saw Zeke standing at the front door, talking on his phone. Just as she slowed down to give him time to finish the conversation, he suddenly turned around and looked up, his gaze locked onto her as she came toward him. His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul and she couldn't help but avert her gaze, unable to meet such close scrutiny.  She reached the bottom of the stairs when he turned and started walking down a corridor on his left while calling over his shoulder, "Come with me", leaving her with no choice but to follow. 

Following close behind him, Merlin studied his back, noting how his hair, grown long in the back, hung in haphazard  strands against the collar of his shirt while his broad shoulders stretched taut, the crisp, white fabric before tapering down to his waist. The memory of how he had found her yesterday in the forest, rose unbidden in her thoughts, and she inwardly cringed, even though, she had already seen h