Page 17 of Temple of Magic and Bone

Elektra couldn't keep hiding who his father was from him. She really hoped that she wasn't about to deal with another megalomaniac when he found out. They really needed to talk to his mother, and he would probably not believe Elektra even if she told him.

Eiline was a legend amongst the reapers. Despite the circumstances, Elektra couldn't wait to meet her. She wanted to know about the curse that was currently eating away at her. Was it something that was a side-effect of the spell she had done seventy-seven years ago to protect the Veil? All Elektra had was more and more questions. She could only imagine how Vanth was feeling.

A door opened further into the house, and Vanth appeared shirtless, wearing only a pair of black flannelette pajama pants with grinning skulls on them and the necklace that matched her own. Elektra pretended to be asleep so she could get a better look at him.

He was beautiful in a strange and alternative type of way. His fae genetics were strong with his pointed ears and a lean build. He had a surprising amount of muscle that had been hidden under his black shirt and leather jacket the night before.

Peeking out from the hem of his pajamas was a tattoo that crept up his hips and stomach to his navel. She could make out skulls and roses and serpents, but she looked higher as heat crept over her cheeks. Most of his straight black hair had been styled into a half-pulled-through knot, the rest spilling down his back in a silken wave. She wanted to know how he got the scars on his ear. He looked her way, and his black brows drew together in a frown.

"Are you awake over there, princess?" he asked, his voice husky with sleep.

"Only just," she replied and yawned. "What time is it?"

"A little after 9 a.m. The facility where my mother is held won't allow visitors before ten, so we have time for coffee. All the coffee. I might be convinced to share if you want some." Vanth grinned, and the unfamiliar heat flared through her again. She pulled the blanket over her head.

Maybe you are coming down with a fever?Elektra really hoped so. She mumbled. "Yes, please."

"Not a morning person either? Maybe it's a necromancer thing."

Elektra waited until his footsteps receded, and she stuck her head out again. The blanket smelled of lavender laundry detergent and an unfamiliar male cologne. She wasn't mentally equipped to deal with the fact his scent was now all over her. It was a weird fae thing to be bothered by it.

She had lived with the temple for decades, far away from palaces swathed in twilight, and yet some things never left her. Smelling like a male that you weren't related to or were mated to was frowned upon amongst royalty. Not that she was a princess anymore. If she was, there was no way in the seven hells that she would be on some male's couch. She allowed herself a small smile. She was so glad she wasn't royalty anymore.

Elektra slowly sat up and ran her hands through her curls. She was still fully dressed, thank the dark gods. She had been so out of it, she didn't want to think about if she would have passed out in front of anyone who wasn't Vanth. She stood up and stretched, her neck cracking so hard, dark spots danced in front of her eyes. Gods, she needed coffee.

"It's only for a few days…" she heard Vanth say when she neared the kitchen.

"You know what she is, Vanth! She's going to reap me!" a woman's voice argued.

"No one is going to reap you, Cecelia, not until you're ready," Vanth replied before the espresso machine purred to life.

Elektra walked around the side of the wall in time to see a pretty ghost girl perched on the edge of the kitchen counter. She glanced over at Elektra and then glared at her.

"I don't have the energy to reap you right now," Elektra said, amusement quirking her lips. "Maybe after I have coffee."

"Don't tease her." Vanth offered Elektra a steaming cup of black espresso. "Princess."

"Stop calling me that," she sighed and thanked him for the coffee.

Cecelia made a disgruntled huffing sound. "Don't you dare get him killed, or I will go full poltergeist on your ass," she said before vanishing.

"Ex-girlfriend of yours?" Elektra asked. If he said yes, maybe she would find the energy to reap her after all. She had a big mouthful of too-hot coffee and let it scorch the feeling away.

Vanth chuckled. "She wishes. She is a hitchhiker I picked up when I was in London, and I've been trying to convince her to move on ever since."

"Why don't you just send her through the Veil? You know how."

"Because I believe in having a choice," Vanth said and leaned a hip against the counter. It was weirdly sexy, and Elektra figured she must have hit her head when she fainted the night before. "Ceclia is harmless, and she keeps the other ghosts in line for the most part."

Elektra lifted her cup to her lips. "Better be careful she doesn't siphon you in your sleep in an effort to become alive again."

"She knows it won't work. Besides, it's keeping her out of the bathroom while I'm showering that I struggle with."

Hot coffee shot up Elektra's nose as she choked back a laugh. "She doesn't."

"Oh, she does. I had to ward the whole room." Vanth's smile widened. "Better make sure she doesn't do the same to you."

"If she does, I really will reap her."

---