Page 26 of A Song of Death and Desire

“Eeeeeeee!” she squeals. “I’m on my way. It’s going to be so good to see you, it’s been way too long.” It hasn’t beenthatlong, but I know we both wish we could see each other more. She continually tries to convince me to move to her city, but I have never liked the idea of leaving Witches Cove.

“Can’t wait to see you, Enna. Have you booked a room at the hotel?” While I don’t hate the idea of Sienna staying here, it’s more complicated with the addition of Kairi. I have no idea how I’m going to explain her presence. I’m not really going to be able to hide it.

“Yep,” she replies. “But you know I’m going to be coming to see you right away. I miss my big brother.”

“Miss you too, Enna. Drive safe and I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” I end the call and look over at Kairi who is completelyfocused on me with one arched eyebrow, the question clear on her face.

“So that was my sister Sienna,” I begin.

“Oh! Tell me more,” she exclaims.

“Well, she’s a biology professor at Blackwood College and classes just finished for summer break. I haven’t seen her since… well before everything happened and she insists on coming to check up on me.”

She nods and stands up to get herself something to eat from the fridge. Man, this girl can eat! I swear if she goes longer than an hour without snacking she gets snappy. I’ve been making sure to stock up on food this week, so we don’t run out. I’m quickly learning her favorites. It’s pretty easy to tell what she likes when she moans like she’s coming every bloody time she finds something delicious. I thought she was doing it on purpose but no, she really just likes food that much.

“Am I allowed to meet Sienna?” she asks and I still. Do I want that? At my apparent hesitation she back tracks, “I don’t have to. I’m sure I can make myself scarce while you hang out.” Despite her words, Kairi’s eyes are filled with hope, and I want to make her smile again.

“Yeah, you know what? I think you both would get along.” And there it is. That smile. The one that holds my heart hostage and makes me want to forget all my morals and ideas of right and wrong, and just drown in her. “Maybe you can both go shopping or something, get some new clothes and things?” I offer nonchalantly. I’m hyper aware of everything that involves Kairi, so it hasn’t escaped my notice that she rotates through the same couple of outfits. Her smile widens even more.

“Really? Would you be okay with that? I don’t have any money though.” Her face falls at the realization.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m happy to give you some. We will eventually have to talk about trying to get you set up witha job though. You have to start planning for the future.” She nods in agreement and her smile dims, as she retreats into contemplation for a moment. I still don’t really know what her future plans are. I suppose at some point I should ask.

Her expression quickly brightens, and the spark returns as she throws her arms around me in a hug.

“Thank you so much, Eagan. You don’t know how much this means to me.” I remain in her arms, reluctant to pull away. The warmth of her body presses against mine. Her face leans softly into the crook of my neck and I rest my chin on her head, allowing myself to just breathe in her ocean scent. My arms slip around her waist, and we just stay there in each other's embrace, neither one of us wanting to ruin this moment. God, when I’m this close to her all I want to do is kiss her. It would be so easy to tip her chin up and taste those perfectly pink lips. So easy…

She pulls away just as I feel my head beginning to give in to the whims of my heart. A pang of disappointment causes an ache in my chest, but she looks out at me from under her eyelashes, bites her lip and I swear I’m going to tell my brain to go to hell and throw myself at her. But before I move, she gives me a wink and leaves me alone in the kitchen, once again with a dick as hard as a rock.

Chapter 27

Ileave Eagan in the kitchen and walk confidently to the room I’m staying in, working hard to keep the excitement at bay. When the door closes behind me I let it all out. A squeal leaves me, and I jump up and down in a weird little dance. I think Eagan’s starting to like meandI get to go shopping.

This last week has been a test of my strength. I want Eagan. I was drawn to him from the moment I saw him, and unlike him, it wasn’t a spell or enchantment that made me feel this way. This week has been wonderful. One of the best of my life. I feel like I’m getting to know Eagan and I can tell that I have captured his attention. We seem to be able to cohabitate quite peacefully together but I still see the flashes of anger in his eyes when he feels we have gotten too close. I notice the way he pulls away and slams his mental walls back up, shutting me out.

I can’t help myself though. The desire to be close to him is overwhelming. Without conscious thought my body reaches out to his and I often find myself gently stroking his skin or resting my head on his shoulder while we watch TV together. While I don’t control these movements, Idefinitelychoose to walk around the apartment in little clothing. There’s no doubt that I’ve learnt what he would consider an ‘inappropriate amount of clothing,’ but I can’t resist the look of absolute need in his eyes when he sees me like that. It’s a look so full of lust that I could get drunk off it.

A moment ago, I truly thought that Eagan was about to give in to the temptation and kiss me. When I noticed, I was flooded with fear because I don’t want us to take that step and then have him reject me. I don’t feel strong enough to cope with being turned down. So, like a coward, I bailed. Eagan is the first man who has ever had the chance to know the real me. I don’t act with him. I want to be authentically me now that I’m living as a human but with everyone else I still have to keep a big part of me a secret. But not with Eagan. I’m afraid that being rejected by him will hurt more than anything else I’ve endured because it will mean that I’m not enough for him.

Eagan said that it’s going to take about two hours for Sienna to drive here. I can’t wait to meet her, but I wonder what Eagan is going to do to explain my presence in his apartment. I use the time to have my own shower and get dressed in the mint dress I always wear when I want to look nice. It’s not like I have many other items to choose from. But I will soon!

Eagan lounges on the sofa while I pace back and forth behind it, filled with nerves at meeting Eagan’s sister. “Can you cut that out?” he asks with a sigh. “You’re making me nervous to see my own sister.”

“I can’t stop,” I say, bouncing on the balls of my feet. “I’m so excited to meet another human.” His eyes darken.

“Don’t say shit like that. Rememberyouare a human.” I’m briefly chastised before the bouncing starts up again. He rolls his eyes but can’t stop the little lift of the corner of his mouth.

A rapping on the door causes a little squeak to escape me and my hands fly to my head to make sure my long hair is flat and smooth. I want to make a good impression, and I want her to like me. Eagan jumps up to answer the door and I flit nervously behind him.

The moment he unlatches the door, it flies open, and a hurricane blows in—a whirlwind in the form of a leggy, blond bombshell who starts talking before she’s barely crossed the threshold. She throws her arms around Eagan, and he squeezes her right back, lifting her slightly off the floor.

“Oh my god, Eagan, I swear this semester has been an absolute nightmare at work and I am in desperate need of some down time and relaxation. Please, please, please tell me we can have some time together watching movies and eating ice cream like we used to?” She stops abruptly when she catches sight of me standing awkwardly behind Eagan. “Umm, E, want to introduce us?” she asks, gesturing towards me.

Eagan rubs the back of his neck. “Sienna, this is Kairi. She’s a… friend?”

I let out a snort and when Sienna asks, “was there a question mark at the end of that statement, Eagan?” I can’t help but giggle.

“Don’t mind him, we haven’t quite defined what we are yet. It’s a strange situation we have found ourselves in.” Eagan sucksin a breath and I continue, “I had to leave my town suddenly. I was… unsafe. I wasn’t able to bring anything with me and was struggling to find somewhere safe to stay. Eagan found me after a run in with a drunk asshole and kindly offered me his spare room. We’ve only just started to get to know each other.” The story worked on Kelsey in the boutique so I thought this would be a safe explanation to use again. Just enough truth to be believable. Eagan meets my eyes over Sienna’s shoulder and mouths a “thank you,” his eyes shining with stark relief. Did he expect me to just blurt out that I’m a siren-turned-human? I’m not stupid.

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