Page 12 of The Daughters of Nyx

“Thea.” I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “They had a fancy company credit card and have two adjoining rooms with the beds split.”

“So, we can rule out the porn star angle,” Thea replied, nodding. “What else do you know about them?”

I shrugged, and we started down the alley, towards the street. Light pollution coloured the sky a strange greenish-grey that didn’t allow for any starlight to break through. Even this close to midnight, the streets were busy with the noise of Forthampton traffic; bodies either rushing home—or to the bars that lined the street across from theCamilla—were a steady thrum of sound that followed us out of the alley.

“They were…weird. Something felt off about them,” I said quietly. “You’re going to call me crazy, but I feel like Iknowthem from somewhere.”

Thea pulled me to a stop outside Kenny’s pizza place, eyes narrowed. “Wait, like an ‘I’ve seen them in passing’ kind of way, or like ‘I watched them all make love together in a really hot foursome’ way?”

I laughed, but their faces tickled something in the back of my mind. A dream I’d had before. Rowan’s copper hair, thick between my fingers, his sinful mouth closing in around my breast—

I forced the images from my brain and shook my head.Stop being so damn thirsty.

“Neither,” I replied finally, running a hand through my hair as Thea motioned to the pizza menu, pouting. With a sigh, I stepped across the threshold and joined the line. There were three others inside the overly warm pizzeria, but it almost felt like we were alone. “I feel like I’ve seen them in my dreams.”

Thea looked between me and the pizza. “Weird. And yes, crazy.” We took a step towards the counter. “I’m thinking a pepperoni. Or two. How hungry are you? Besides for dick, of course.”

I scowled. “I’m not hungry—” We took another step to the counter, and the guy in front of us turned slightly; I offered him an apologetic smile and lowered my voice. “I am not hungry for dick!”

Thea smirked, eyes glinting mischievously. “Well, you definitelyarehungry for something. How about a cheese pizza and a pepperoni, so we have leftovers for tomorrow? We have to go shopping so bad, but I’m on late tomorrow and we really shouldn’tInstacartshit again.”

Having pizza for the second time this week would be fine. We were two grown adults with adult money. And leftovers were smart. But I couldn’t help the small sting of guilt, since we’d be having it again so soon.

I cursed under my breath. “We don’t have any milk for coffee.”

The guy in front of us ordered, and then we were up. Thea placed an order for two pizzas and we stepped aside, though no one else had entered the pizzeria behind us. I took her arm and pulled her towards the door and away from the ears of unsuspecting customers.

“Firstly: I’m not hungry foranydick. Second: we need to go toNelson’sfor some essentials, unless you want to wake up dead tomorrow,” I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest.

“How can I…wake up dead?” Thea asked, brow quirked.

I smacked her arm. “You know what I mean.”

“Alright, alright.” She held up her hands in surrender. “Nelson’sfor milk and ice cream. Then home for pizza and a new episode ofOutlander.”

I nodded. We took our pizzas when our number was called and started the trek home to our apartment. During our time inside the pizzeria, the sky had darkened with the threat of rain, which now misted over the dying night life.

As we hurried home, arms stuffed with pizza, cheap wine, ice cream, and milk, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being watched—and that something bad was going to happen.

~

The alarm on my phone blared with aABBAsong, pulling me out of dreams about being screwed by that stupid guy, Rowan, and his meanly handsomefriend.

I groaned as I rolled over and smothered the alarm. Sunlight glared through the slits between my curtains, staining the olive-green comforter in golden light. I couldn’t remember any nightmares—though, how could I when all I could dream about was sexy time with two complete strangers?

The smell of coffee wafted through the apartment, almost tempting me out of bed. But thoughts of last night’s dreams had awakened something within me, a building pressure that needed release.

So maybe I’m a little bit hungry for dick. Not like I’d admit that to Thea.

I contemplated reaching for the bedside drawer, where my favourite pink friend resided. But before I could reach the handle, my phone buzzed with an alarming number of messages.

With a sigh, I pulled it off charge and rubbed my eyes. Five text messages, all from my mother, appeared on the screen. Sitting up, I read through the messages.

KERRY:morning bb

KERRY:R U still coming to dinner next week?

KERRY:will U bring BF?

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