She’s always transparent, but I don’t believe she’s hiding anything major. In fact, there’s almost an excited energy simmering just under the deception.
“I just mean, Annex is hot, right?” She gives my shoulder a playful shove. “And easy to be around. Not to mention, you’re the only thing he talks about when we chat. He’s invested in whatever show the two of you are watching.”
My heart rate picks up.
“I like him too,” I admit. “He’s a very considerate roommate.”
“Just a roommate?” Greer asks. “It seems like he likes you a lot more than that.”
A pang of pure panic rips through my chest, and my instincts hum even louder. Something is going down that my monster wants a part of.
“Shit,” I hiss as my monstrous side fights for control.
“What’s wrong?” Greer asks, tilting her head.
“Nothing. I can handle it. Stay here.” I glance around, preparing to siphon. Just as I’m turning to smoke, Greer grabs onto my arm.
I have no choice but to bring her with me, even though I have no idea where we’re headed or where we might end up.
Greer wobbles as we land near the back exit of Chaos.
Lovely.
Directly next to the set of dumpsters.
The smell makes my nose wrinkle, but I have to act swiftly to block Greer's mouth when she gasps. My hand lands over the bottom half of her face, and I tilt my head to follow her line of sight.
Gods.
A broken, bloody, male body lies on the concrete three feet away from where we landed.
My eyes transform into the void. It completely takes away the sclera, but it allows me to see the aura that surrounds someone’s soul, along with any soul ties they might have.
“Oh fuck, he’s dead,” Greer mumbles against my hand.
She’s not wrong.
There’s no way for me to determine what kind of shifter he is, but I can tell by the golden hue that makes up his soul.
He will resurrect.
Whoever beat the hell out of him didn’t opt for a killing blow.
His essence stands over his body, looking exceptionally confused. He’s not a ghost. The tether that keeps his soul and consciousness attached to the body wasn’t severed.
A woman screams, sobbing something that I can’t make out.
My monster urges me forward, but I get close to Greer’s ear. “Stay here. I’m going to siphon whoever that is back to you. You get them inside safely.”
I release her and frown at my feet.
These heels will make sneaking up on anyone practically impossible, so I turn to shadow. Certain beings can see me in this form, but they have to be highly powerful, and it’s rare.
It’s instinctual to know where I’m needed, and something deep inside me follows the terror. The mass of my energy stops at the edge of the bricks, examining what’s happening.
Okay.
So, three assholes.
