I’m stepping toward him, when Xera places her hand onto my chest. “You’re wrong.” I don’t turn to face her, but I peer at her from the corner of my eye. She’s shaking her head and staring right at Alaric. “I promise whatever you’re after with me, it’ll never happen. However, if it’ll end this conversation, I’ll speak with you in the morning. Just know every syllable you say to me, will be repeated to him.”
“That’s all I ask. For your time.”
I growl, ready to spew threats of killing him if he touches my girl, when she says, “And you!” Staring down to her, she’s pointing straight at Sydni. “Get your ass over here, right this moment.”
Sydni’s shoulders jump and she looks to me. Slowly, she crosses the distance, the rocks under her shoes crunching. “Hey, Phiny…”
Xera crosses her arms, her stance radiating irritation, and I shift my weight to one side, barely managing to hold in my laughter. When I see Alaric and Brice lingering like they have all the time in the world, I wave them off. They exchange a glance before finally heading toward the hotel, their pace unhurried but obedient enough.
“I didn’t mean?—”
Xera cuts her off, “To ditch me after you just got me back. How rude.”
Sydni gasps. “That’s unfair. I just… that isn’t it!”
“You haven’t fed.” Clearly my little demon isn’t messing around. “You’ll feed now.”
“N-No, I’m fine, really.” My butterfly throws her hands up, nervously taking a step back. “I just need to sleep, that’s all.”
“Liar. Remember, I can smell it.” As my girl steps to her, she grabs onto Sydni’s wrist. “Let’s go.” Even as hard as she tries to pull away, Xera is far stronger. “Infuriating. Why suffer?!”
“W-Wait, please, it isn’t like that, Phiny. I’m just—HEY!” I would’ve offered to throw her over my shoulder, but it’s clearly unnecessary—my little demon is more than capable. With a swift, decisive motion, she flips Sydni over her shoulder and strides past me without a second glance.
“What’s our room number?” she asks, ignoring the butterfly pounding against her back and screaming to be put down.
Taking out my burner phone, I swipe to find the text from Niyla. “Third floor, double bed—ha, ha.”
She groans and adjusts Sydni over her shoulder, her dark blue hair bouncing as she is manhandled.
“As if we wouldn’t push the beds together. Matter of fact, I hope they are attached to the wall so I can break the bed frame. Excited for them to lose another deposit.”
Petty,and I fucking love it.
Tappingmy phone against the door scanner, I unlock room 386. Inside, it’s as standard as hotel rooms get: double beds, just as expected, with the upper half of the walls painted an off-white and the lower half a deep maroon. A few uninspired paintings—probably of the nearby waterfall—hang on the walls. There’s a television, a work desk, and a bathroom that I’m certain is just as bland as the rest of the room.
Xera makes a beeline for the nearest bed, unceremoniously tossing Sydni onto it. I take my time, strolling around the room before moving the center nightstand aside and shoving the beds together with a quick, decisive thrust.
My butterfly jumps, startled by the bed shifting under her. “You are scaring me.” She looks to me, almost as if pleading with me to side with her. “I’m fine. Maybe tomorrow I can?—”
“Stop,” Xera cuts her off yet again. She’s shrugging her jacket off, exposing her black T-shirt that is cropped just at her belly button. “You offered to feed me that time this asshole cock-blocked me for three weeks. You told everyone you wanted to wait to feed on me, so now that I’m here, why are you hesitating?”
Sydni’s face is beginning to turn red, and I move to sit beside her. I’ve got my gaze back on Xera, who is standing between her legs. “I’m just… nervous, and worried. I don’t want to hurt you.” Tears brim in her eyes, and I gently place my hand against the small of her back.
Xera sighs. “I promise you can’t hurt me.”
A moment of silence fills the space, and then I offer, “Come on, butterfly, I’ll walk you through it. It’s hard, but the more often you do it, the easier itwill be.”
Her eyes meet mine, and she offers the gentlest of nods. Her innocence will be tested time and time again throughout her immortality. I can only hope she never loses this part of herself, because it’s what makes herSydni.
Looking to Xera, she stares at me, waiting for instructions.
“There are two places I’d recommend. The wrist being one of them.” I take my little demons hand and turn it to Syd. “You’ll get the most value in the first bite. The other is in the most obvious place, the neck. Right at the vein.” Putting my finger at the side of her neck, I tap.
“Which would you prefer, Phiny?”
“You’ll enjoy the neck better.” She shrugs nonchalantly, as though we are talking about a simple meal option on a menu.
I didn’t want to say that, but she’s right. It’s closer to the heart, and will be far sweeter.
