Page 48 of Primal Hunger
Whether she answered my question from earlier or not, I know better than to take chances with her.
“I want to live,” she quips. “And I realize now that the only way to do that is to stick with you.”
Wise. Very wise.
But politeness? That’s one of the things I’m not known for. The sooner she understands that we are going to coexist on my terms, the better off we will both be. I’ve made enough concessions for her.
She crosses her arms, her gaze unwavering. “Come on. Surely you know what manners are. Decency. Turn around, Syros.”
I only stare at her, but when she still doesn’t waver, I huff, torn between my curiosity, the insatiable lust I feel around her, and granting her the bit of respect she wants. Finally, I relent and turn to leave her to the bath, busying myself with the fireplace instead.
Much to my distaste.
There must be something wrong with me because in the past, a day ago, I would never have given in so easily.
It’s like the little human is bending me to her will. Or worse, wrapping me around her tiny fingers.
Chapter
Seventeen
Erin
Isink beneath the warm water, letting its soothing embrace wash away the weariness of my journey. For a moment, I imagine the strong floral scent of the gollilock plant filling the air and perfuming the water like bubbles.
What would it be like to smell it the way he does?
The longer I hold my breath, the easier it is to relax and allow my thoughts to drift aimlessly.
For now, I’m safe.
For now, he’s caring for me, and once I’m done bathing, I’ll ask him about food. Is it safe to drink the water in his world? Notthat I want to have a big gulp of bath water, but I haven’t had anything to drink since…
Oh wow, how long? A day?
I force bubbles of air out of my nose.
Amidst the tranquility, there’s something else churning within me, something I can’t quite comprehend. It confuses and baffles me, like a puzzle with missing pieces. It’s the growing fondness I feel for Syros, this enigmatic monster who stands at the intersection of darkness and whimsical curiosity.
How can I find myself drawn to someone so different? Someone from a world I never thought I’d encounter?
No matter how much research I’ve done into the supernatural and portals, I guess a part of me has never really considered them something tangible. They’ve always been abstract theories until now.
I wanted them to exist, but seeing them for myself threw me for a loop.
My too-human mind has to grapple with the stark reality of all of my previously imaginative theories.
As I ponder these conflicting emotions, I hold myself submerged under the water, closing my eyes, hoping to find some clarity in its depths. When I resurface, however, I’m startled to see Syros’ wavering outline towering over the basin, his red eyes fixed upon me.
I bolt out of the water, gasping for air, my heart pounding.
“Erin! Are you drowning?” His deep voice resonates with concern. “What are you doing?”
I let out a nervous laugh, attempting to compose myself. My hair is plastered against my face and I push it back before scrubbing my knuckles against my eyes. “No, no, I’m fine. Just... lost in my thoughts for a moment.”
When I open them again, his outline is clear.
His skull-head is tipped to the side. If he had flesh, I imagine his brows would be furrowed together. “You seemed... startled. I thought something was wrong.”
