Cut by Danielle Llanes Read Free Book Online

took in her thin pale face. Her hair and skin were playing a game of which was paler. Her eyes were a deep blue and already filled with fear. I watched the reality of what had happened return to her face. She covered her face as she let out a cry.
    “Was he ok? Did someone call for an ambulance? I don’t know what happened. We were talking and then he fell down. The man, the one that hurt Noah, did you see him?” I shook my head as she looked around the room. I wanted to apologize for the furnishings as she covered her face again. I walked over as I sat down beside her. I put my arm around her as I said,
    “Noah’s dead. The man that did this got away. I brought you here to keep you safe.” She looked up quickly as she pushed away the covers,
    “We have to go to the police, we have to tell them that the man is still out there.”
    “No, we can’t. People would ask questions, I’m not exactly someone that has a good reputation around here.”
    “You don’t have to, I won’t tell anyone that I was here. I promise.” I stared into her face knowing she was telling the truth.
    “What’s your name?” She opened her mouth then stopped, she touched her forehead then shook her head. I saw the bruise on her forehead as I realised she had been hit. Already the skin was forming a dark purple color, I pulled her hand away. She couldn’t remember her name.
    “Maybe you should lie back, you’re injured. I will call some people and maybe they can help us. Do you remember where you were staying?” She thought a moment as she replied,
    “No but it was somewhere in the French Quarter near Bourbon.” That was not going to make it easy, I thought. I covered her with blankets as I promised to make a call. I left the room as I dug my phone from my pocket. Already my phone was buzzing with Octavius on the other line,
    “Funny, I was going to call you.”
    “I take it she’s awake and asking a million questions.”
    “Not really, she has a slight case of amnesia. Can’t remember much of anything, including her name.”
    “Oh for crying out loud,” I heard Matthieu’s voice in the background. I laughed as I peeked into the room. Already she was sound asleep,
    “Keep an eye on her, humans have a habit of dying from concussions. Wake her up every so often. Maybe her memory will come back. You could always glamour whatever is left and hope she’s coherent enough to speak full sentences.” I rolled my eyes as I replied,
    “Before I forget, tell Matthieu dinner is still on. I was horribly embarrassed when she awoke and looked around at my bedroom. I’ve never seen that reaction before.”
    “Oh right, the Great Rent Tres has never been met with a look of disgust.”
    “No, I haven’t…well maybe a few times in the eighties but that was called for.” I knew Octavius was nodding his head at the idea. We promised to meet the following evening and I shut the phone. I looked into the bedroom as I saw her lying on her side. I pushed open the door and stepped in.
    “Are you awake?” I touched her shoulder as she shrugged away, she was awake. I pushed her hair away from her face. It pained me with how frail she looked. Her skin was cold like my own. I backed away from her as she whispered,
    “Would you help me forget what happened?” I stared down at her as she turned to face me. I was staring into the deep blue eyes that stared back at me. I could see the veins under her skin along her throat. I hung my head as I replied,
    “You’re asking a great deal of me.”
    “I loved him,” she said as the tears began to return. I reached out to catch the tears,
    “You’ll get through this…it won’t always be this hard.” She shook her head,
    “No, you don’t understand. I can’t live without him in my life.” I looked away from her as I said,
    “What are you asking of me?”
    “I want to forget tonight.” I got up from the bed as I headed for the bedroom door.
    “You don’t know what you’re asking of me,” I