Page 462 of Evil Hearts

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I remind myself that fighting everyone who hates me for what I am is a waste of my time.

I steel myself before starting back down the aisle and grabbing everything I think I might need.

It’s hard to shop for future mates when I don’t know if anyone will even show up for my heat. And if they do show up, I don’t know what they’ll like.

I decide it’s best to just get extra of what I would usually eat and hope they’ll like the same things.

I’m in the store for about thirty minutes before I’ve gathered what I hope is enough food and move to check out.

The woman working the register is another Maska. She’s likely half-human, but I’m not sure what other breed she is. She’scovered from head to foot in short, coal-colored fur, but her entire body is that of a human. If it wasn’t for the fur, I would think she was human. Unfortunately for her, humans don’t have fur, so she doesn’t have a chance to hide what she is.

“Good afternoon,” she says quietly, eyes down as she rings up my groceries.

“It’s afternoon, alright,” I say with a giggle, hoping to get the other woman to glance up at me.

While one corner of her mouth turns up for a moment, she never lifts her eyes.

One would think that the Maska of the world would come together—either to protect one another or in an attempt to combat the prejudices against us—but we mostly keep to ourselves. I’ve tried on more than one occasion to befriend other Maska, but they’ve all rejected my attempts. I hate it, but there isn’t much I can do to change their minds any more than I can change that of the full-blooded species.

With a sigh, I pay for the groceries and lift the bags into my cart.

One day, there will be people who will accept me for who and what I am. Who will love me in spite of my half-breed status.

Hopefully, my heat brings them to me, because I’m so tired of feeling alone.

Holding my head up high, I ignore the whispered remarks and sneers aimed at me and walk out the door. I don’t make it very far before a man steps in front of my cart, bringing me to a complete stop.

“Mine,” he hisses, almost animalistic.

I cock an eyebrow as my eyes roam over his body. He’s clearly human, but like most humans who are born on Mheann, he likely has a smidgen of monster in his blood—many generations removed. It’s the only way he’d answer a mating call. If hewas fully human, he might have thought I smelled nice, but he wouldn’t have claimed me as his.

He’s close to six feet, making him shorter than my body length, but I usually hover around five foot six, as it’s what’s most comfortable for me. His shoulders are wide, tapering to slim hips. While I haven’t said anything, his jade green eyes haven’t left my face. My smile only grows as I take in his long, black hair that’s pulled into a messy bun on the top of his head and his bearded face. He’s insanely attractive.

I lift my head, sniffing the air to see if I can pick up his scent. As a human, his scent isn’t as strong as Maska and the monster species, but when I get a whiff of it, I almost melt.

Leather and sandalwood. What a combination.

Not only does he smell amazing, but it confirms his words—I am his.

“Yours,” I agree, and only then do his shoulders lower. “I’m Sulessta.”

“Who hates you so much that they gave you a name with so many S’s?” he asks with a grin.

Rolling my eyes, I return his smile. “That would be my father. He’s human, and he thought it would be hilarious after seeing my tongue.”

My tongue also reveals I’m more than human, as it’s a serpent’s tongue, no matter what form I’m in. That also means that S’s come out more like a hiss, and I can’t make them as short as they should be. Just another thing that makes me unique.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sulessta. I’m Aryx, and I’m only a little sorry about rushing over and claiming you.” His grin turns self-deprecating. “Clearly not my finest pickup line.”

I wave him off. “It’s the mating call. My heat will begin tonight, most likely.”

“I will be there.” There’s no hesitation in his voice, and that makes my smile grow.

“I would like that. I can give you my number and address—”

“No,” he says, cutting me off. “I will go with you now.”

I stare at him for a moment before agreeing.

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