Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
“Huh?” I feel like time just escaped me, as if I’m not myself. “Meh. Maybe it’s because a succubus took advantage of me sexually on my favorite couch. But whatever, I’m over it.”
Alex laughs and takes another sip of his beer. “Or were you on it, and she was on you? I just feel like we need to experience the whole seduction. God knows it’s my specialty.”
Cassius sighs. “It’s weird when an immortal’s immaturity goes in reverse. So very strange.”
Timber holds up his hand for a high five, and Cassius actually hits it.
“See,” I point out. “To me, that’s weird. Anubis and an angel, high-fiving. Like that’s not even remotely normal.”
Cassius frowns. “Aren’t high fives a way to show solidarity?”
“Yeah.” Ethan nods.
“Then…” He high-fives Timber again. “See what I did there? That’s called bonding, communication, and not making my job harder. Well done, God of the Underworld. You can sit at my table.”
Alex shakes his head. “Never thought I’d see the fucking day.”
“Because of all the sex?” Horus nods.
“Someone, anyone.” I raise my hand. “Take away his ability to be on social media. It’s really corrupting his old, old, so very old…ancient, might I add? Mind.”
She returns on that note, staring between all of us, then plops down on a barstool. “Yeah, he’s probably dead. By the way, my name’s Lilith if you wanted to report it to the police, but a lot of good it would do since you guys are who you are.”
“Yeah, he’s probably dead.”
“Up top!” Alex raises his hand.
Horus leans into me. “Do we celebrate death now?”
“Shhhhhh.” I bat him away. “They’re bonding over the high five.”
Lilith nods, wipes her face again, and then looks around the table. “I have to say, I didn’t expect you guys to be like…normal.”
Ethan bursts out laughing, which is rare for him. “Oh, sorry. I thought that was a joke.”
“At least I understand sarcasm now.” Cassius laughs. “All right, so now that we’ve saved the world from the bad vampire and have a succubus, should we do a toast?”
“A toast?” Lilith asks. “I don’t think I’ve ever made a toast with…” She gulps and spreads her arms wide. “This. These kinds of…humans—immortals—people. Beings?”
Alex shakes his head. “It’s like a baby lamb. Can I keep it?”
“No!” we all yell in unison.
“She isn’t a pet, you dumbass,” I grumble under my breath, and for no reason at all, start to feel my blood heating beneath my skin. “She’s—she’s…” A vision suddenly appears. I feel my eyes go dark again, like they do when I see the future.
And for once.
I see my own.
Including my end.
Chapter Four
Lilith
Tarek says nothing for the rest of the night. In fact, he’s weirdly quiet. We have a few drinks, though nobody can actually get drunk. Which sucks for them because I’m feeling it hard since I’ve never actually gone shot for shot with a siren, an angel, a werewolf—god? Angel? Have I lost count already?
I grin.
“All right.” Tarek pulls me against him. “Let’s get you home.”
“‘Kay.” I grin up at him. “You’re pretty.”
“If I had a nickel…” He winks. His eyes really are so freaking pretty. I get lost in them and look over and over again as I lean against his warm, thick chest. Staring at his full mouth and tempting lips. “What?”
“I’m…” Going to take him. I’m going to take him. Why can’t I have nice things? I’ve been told to hold myself back my entire life, and only from the random people I’ve met in life that recognized what and who I was and why I needed help. Including my adoptive parents, who, at the time, just looked at me and said to stop the thirst.
But I thirst so badly.
I thirst for him.
My gaze moves to the pulse in his neck. “Can I drink?” I ask politely, maybe I slur it. I don’t even know.
He frowns. “You’re a demon, not a vampire. But if you need blood?” He nods and bites into his wrist without hesitation while waiting for my ride to show up.
I look down.
Nobody’s on the street; I would sense them.
And, apparently, no brain cells exist in my body. His blood is different—he’s different. Maybe he doesn’t even know it. Maybe he does. But the temptation is so strong I don’t think a million vampires could keep me from licking him from head to toe.
“Do it,” a voice whispers. “Take him. It’s your future. Take the Prince of the Earth. Take part of it for yourself.”
I stumble back, hands shaking, then stare at his wrist again.
I know him.
I know him well.
I know his…
I feel my body start to weaken…
And then I see it.
His end. My beginning. Maybe it’s both. Maybe it’s a combination of everything, but I couldn’t have prepared for it.
Oh, God.
It’s everything.
It’s us.
I remember holding his hand.
I remember the Garden.
The apple. And then I remember walking with him.