Luca wrinkled his brow. “What’s Phase three?”
“First Phase no outward signs, only amplified sensory and accelerated reflex, second Phase biological manifestations. The shift. And Phase three…” Nox swallowed. “Phase three complementarity changes tied to the shift.”
“Shift?”
Nox nodded.
“What do you mean by shift?”
“The cellular jump from human to the Anubis.” He opened his hand, and the container hit the side of the trashcan and fell on the floor. Nox made a fist and rolled his shoulders while tilting his head back and forth, causing it to pop. When he brought his attention back around, he bared his teeth.
Luca stepped back.
Nox saw him now. Or at leastsomethingsaw him.
“Nox?” Luca continued to retreat.
Nox followed, but he didn’t so much as walk as he did glide, his limbs fluid, his entire body rippling as if he found pleasure caressing the very air around him.
Luca hit the door with his back, and Nox closed in around him. A deep thrum echoed in his chest. Almost a growl and oddly like a purr.
Nox pressed his face to Luca’s temple and inhaled. His exhale was almost hot enough to burn.
Luca flattened against the door, and Nox grabbed him by the throat. Just like before, there was no pressure, but the potential for it rode down Nox’s arm in the stark white lines of tendons flexing under his skin. Nox lowered his head to Luca’s neck and drew a hot wet line back to his ear.
Luca’s pulse jumped, and at the same time, his inside tightened. Nox did it again.
For some reason Luca turned his head, putting his face close to Nox’s. The growl in Nox’s chest shook the room. Luca touched Nox’s throat, placing his hand in the same position Nox had on his.
Nox’s eyes slid closed, and the snarl contorting his features melted. Luca moved his thumb back and forth over Nox’s windpipe, and his body slackened. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and blinked like the piss-poor light in the room hurt.
Nox looked at his hand on Luca’s throat and threw himself back.
“Nox?”
“Fuck.” He put more space between them. “I’m sorry. Fuck, I’m sorry Luca.”
“You remembered something.”
His expression pinched.
“Tell me.” Luca stepped forward.
“Don’t.” Nox held up a hand. “Don’t. Just stay back. Please.” Nox ran for the bathroom and slammed the door, leaving Luca to stare at the empty space where Nox had been.
*****
Nox punched his thigh, once, twice…. The muscles in his arms contracted, his calves rippled with cramps. He kicked off the boots, undid the pants. The fabric of his clothes sandpaper against his skin. He managed to strip everything off and slumped against the cabinets, fighting the muscular assault on his body.
What had he done?
What had he almost done?
Tears squeezed from his eyes, and his teeth ached.
What did he still want to do?
Luca was not safe. Not out there. Not with him.