Shield, to Him

I hadn't been in a Striker apartment ever since Alen's death. But now with Ezra as my Shield, I step into our very own space, a place where I'd be safe to come back to every night.

I would never have to step foot into my father's house again. For the rest of my life.

The bruises are still fresh.

And I'd tried to remember. I'd really tried, to recall what exactly he'd done to me that night. It was like someone had completely wiped out all of my memories, and I had no idea how I'd ended up that day.

I knew it was my father, but I could not remember.

My feet light and silent against the floor, I find a book and sink into one of the soft couches in the living room.

The Firstblade was out, so that I was alone in the apartment.

He'd said that he wouldn't be back until an hour later.

Halfway through the book, I find my eyes slowly drooping. I let myself drift into half-sleep when all of a sudden, a heavy noise echoes through the room.

My eyes flash back open.

Someone was knocking.

Leaving th