“I’m never going to be able to feed again,” I whisper, my eyes falling shut. “I’m going to starve practically to death…”
“Oh, baby doll.” Annex brushes his fingers over my cheek. “I assure you, I won’t let that happen.” He really is sweet and fartoo sexy to be with someone like me, but I don’t want to jinx myself by focusing too heavily on that.
I just hope he doesn’t get bored too fast. I figure it’s inevitable that it’ll come at some point. I just want to enjoy what we have for as long as I can.
My eyes pop open, and I give him a soft smile. “I appreciate it, but I don’t like the idea of putting you in danger.”
“Ehh, I’m pretty sure you could kick that feathered fuck’s ass. Just flash him the tits long enough to distract him, and bam! Devoured.” Annex smirks, wiggling his eyebrows.
A shiver runs down my spine. He’s so hot it makes my brain a little melty. Not to mention, his playful personality is addictive. He’s my opposite in a lot of ways, but I like that. It levels out my overly serious nature.
“You’re ridiculous,” I whisper, running my fingers over his strong jaw.
“Ridiculously into you?” he murmurs, nuzzling his nose to mine. “Yeah, I really fucking am.”
“Me too,” I admit, pushing my lips to his.
Forcing myself out of bed the next morning isn’t easy. I didn’t think incubi slept, but I figure Annex is like me. While sleep isn’t required, it is a peaceful reset.
I slog through a shower, dress, and make myself leave through the front door towalkto work. Siphoning is so much easier, and it makes me really miss the days when I could be myself.
I’m only a couple blocks into my walk when Zephyr lands at my side in a crouch. His massive feathered wings stretch wide behind him, and I stop dead in my tracks.
He has his long, whitish-blond hair up in a bun on the top of his head, but small pieces fall around his face in the breeze. He’s clad in a white long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans, and I frown, realizing I never returned his coat.
It’s even chillier today than it has been recently, but he’s as immortal as I am. He wouldn’t freeze to death if we were in sub-zero temperatures.
It still kinda makes me feel like an asshole, though.
Great work, Hazel.
You killed the man’s friend and stole his jacket when he probably has few belongings here with him in Black Cove.
“I forgot to return your jacket,” I say, swallowing around the lump in my throat.
He might be kind of a pretentious dick, but I’m pretty sure that’s coded into his DNA and not a personality choice.
He’s gone out of his way to look after me, and I’ve done nothing but lie to his face. It’s out of necessity to ensure my survival, but it still doesn’t feel great.
Zephyr’s head tilts, and his icy gray eyes rake over my face. “Keep it as long as you need it. I thought you’d knock on my door to let me know it was time to accompany you to work.”
“I’m sure you have better things to do than to stand around the spell shop.” I offer what I hope comes across as a polite smile. “We’re in the middle of Black Cove. I don’t think anything is going to attack me at ten in the morning.”
“Yes, well, I find I’m not willing to take the chance that you might be wrong.” His wings stretch and pull close to his back. It really is a magnificent sight, even if demons are supposed to hate angels. “Do you not have access to a vehicle?”
I shake my head. “Spellbound is my first job. I haven’t had the chance to save up for one yet.”
Shit.
He’s a walking lie detector just like I am. Sensing deception doesn’t necessarily tell him which part of that was untrue. Hopefully the second part of my statement was ambiguous enough not to set off any alarm bells. Technically, I haven’t been able to save up for a vehicle because I haven’t bothered trying.
My parents would have bought me a car, just like they did for Violet, but I’m able to siphon, so I’ve never had the urge to learn how to drive.
“So you rely on the incubus to siphon you places?” Zephyr asks.
I’m not sure if the disdain in his tone is for Annex or if he’s judging me for using him to get me around. Which isn’t even true. Sure, Annex siphoned us home last night, but that was only because I couldn’t do it myself with Zephyr watching.
“My own two feet are capable of getting me places.” I laugh awkwardly and sidestep his massive form before taking off down the sidewalk.
