Simply nodding, I put my hands onto her shoulders, slowly dragging them up to the sides of her neck. My thumbs run along her jawline, oureyes locked as she releases an uneasy sigh.
“It’s just the store.” It isn’t a question, but I nod anyhow. “A couple hours.” Again, I confirm with a nod, not saying anything and allowing for her to talk herself through it. “Car runs fine…” I smile, and bring her forward for a brief kiss. “Stupid… feelings.”
When I pull her back, we both take a breath. “Smile for me, little demon. We are alright right now.”
There’s no part of either of us that truly believes we’re completely safe. She and I both understand that Tali is out there searching for her. This home was passed down through generations, eventually falling out of my family’s name through marriage, and sold to an unknown buyer—me. But it’s not under Kairhyse Monroe. That’s what gave me the confidence to call this a safe place for us, despite the lingering uncertainty.
It doesn’t mean either of us are complacent. Someone is always on guard, every night, and throughout the day.
“Okay,” she finally says and gives me a soft smile. “Pick up some tomato juice, I ran out this morning.”
Dragging her close to my chest, I lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips, my voice low as I whisper, “Anything for you.”
Chapter 35
Xeraphine
After Kairhyse left, Kayn and I stepped out the back of the cabin. Over the past week, I’ve come up here to escape—to put some distance between myself and everyone else. The narrow trail winds over a wooden bridge spanning a quiet creek, eventually opening into a space roughly half the size of a basketball court.
The towering oaks sway with the steady breeze rolling down from the mountain peaks, carrying with it a crisp, clean scent. Even in my current state, where I’d much rather be breathing in the blood of those who’ve hurt me, Kai, and Sydni, this comes in at a close second.
As much of a bitch as I’ve been this week, I’m not actually mad at Sydni. All I’ve ever wanted was to protect her, to see her happy. She deserves that, because I never got it. It’s why I’m so hard on the people she dates, the ones she lets in. And now, with how obvious it is that she’s falling for that Werewolf, my overprotectiveness has only sharpened.
I hate that she sees it as me being cruel. But I… I love her and I can’t stand to see her hurt like I was. Even if I hurt her in the process of teaching her who to trust, she will understand I’ll always be here through thick and thin. I failed her once and refuse to let it happen again.
“Kairhyse never took me here.” Kayn drags me from my head, his crimson eyes up, looking through the canopy of trees. “Said he wanted to separate his past from his present.”
We stop in the center of the clearing, the uneven grass brushing against my bare calves.
“Do you want to do proper introductions?” He moves to look at me, before plopping down into a seated position, one leg up, arm draping over it. “Or just get to it.”
Normally, I’d want the latter, but I know I’ll learn more about Kairhyse if we do the former.
“How do you know Kai?” I know that really isn’t what he meant, but he smiles and graciously answers.
“I met him through his creator, and my friend washercreator.”
I hum. Kairhyse shared a few more things about his life over the past few weeks, how he was turned into one of them. I’d have added that bitch to the list of those I was going to kill if she weren’t already ash.
“So, you knew him pretty young in his Vampire life.”
He nods. “After he killed Elizabeth, he asked for help with figuring out how to navigate life as an immortal. Liz pretty much kept him on a leash, afraid he’d run.”
My nose twitches. “Cunt.”
“Truly. I helped him, but it didn’t take more than a few years to get the hang of it. He was meant to live forever; not everyone can do it. Most end their life after a hundred years, give or take.”
That comment lingers in my mind as I lower myself to the ground, crossing my legs and settling in. I haven’t met many older Vampires—Molly had been the oldest, with Kai just behind her.
“How old are you?”
He chuckles before answering, “I’m an old man. Nearly eleven hundred years.”
My eyes round. “Holy shit.”Another body… Another shield.
“How did you meet him?” he asks, dropping his head slightly to one side. “He’s claimed you,thatis not something I’ve ever seen a Succubae or Incubi allow.” There is some sort of longing in his tone, possibly jealousy? It’s subtle, but it’s that slight tinge of it at the end of his sentence.
“He was trying to ‘capture’ me and bring me to Hause Sidence for ‘justice’. I’m a murderer.” My nonchalant tone seems to please him, he chuckles.
