Page 68 of Beauty's Monstrous Demons

Her hands immediately find places to grab and then we’re gone. My chest is pressed against hers, so everything on her body comes with us as well. I could feel her sharp inhaled breath just before we misted away, though neither of us have to breathe in this state.

Phenex is pacing back and forth as he waits for us, turning as we appear in the living room.

“What was all of that about?” he asks, appearing stressed.

Releasing Lorelei, I watch as she walks over to hug him.

“The Dean of Student Housing received a tip from Adares that I was ‘missing’ since I haven’t gone to my dorm,” she explains.

“I told Therese that she was living with me as my food source and girlfriend,” I add, watching as Phenex’s eyes widen as he hugs Lorelei back.

“What the fuck,”he mouths. As an ancient civilization professor, he knows exactly what that means. “You went all in on claiming Lorelei today, didn’t you?”

The question is said out loud, and I huff out a laugh.

“Therese was looking for a scandal and I wasn’t going to allow that,” I grunt. “Adares is also an asshole for reporting her to the housing department.”

I plan to find him as soon as I can to fuck with him.

“Well, thankfully there’s still time for lunch if you hitch a ride with Samael to class,” Phenex suggests.

Snorting, I roll my eyes as I stride to the kitchen where I know he has the food kept on the warmer.

“I’m not a taxi,” I call out over my shoulder, enjoying her giggle.

Phenex follows me into the kitchen, and I hear the bathroom door close. Sighing, I shake my head as I begin getting the food and he grabs plates.

“I don’t understand what Therese was thinking,” I grumble. “She was intently discussing something with Lorelei when I banged on her office door. She was acting like this was a mystery that needed to be solved.”

“She was fine when I called her weeks prior to ask about Lorelei’s housing arrangements, and said that she was sorry she couldn’t change her room,” Phenex says. “Adares must have put a bug in her ear about Lorelei. Fucking punk.”

“I’ll handle him,” I sigh, moving to the dining room table to place the serving dish on the table.

“If you can get away with a punch, I’d appreciate it,” Phenex grumbles as Lorelei reappears.

“For who?” she asks, hearing him.

“Adares,” I answer, sitting down and pulling her in my lap.

“Oh, well he is a dick. Feel free to have fun with him,” she says, shrugging as Phenex serves her food and sits across from her. “The Dean was trying to catch me in a lie. At least that’s how it felt to me. I was starting to really freak out.”

“I could feel your panic, and Samael lit out of here,” Phenex says, watching her as she begins to eat. At her slight glare,he nods and serves himself food as well. “Hopefully, your day improves.”

“I didn’t think I’d have time to eat, so it already has,” she says cheekily. “I also didn’t expect to be claimed quite so publically.”

“We didn’t have a chance to talk about it,” I say, my lips against her temple. “Are you okay with all of this?”

“I will never say no to you telling someone I belong to you,” she says with a wide grin.

Phenex’s face clouds, and I know he’s upset that he can’t do the same. I believe it would be fine, but for some reason, he’s a very eligible bachelor that would be removing himself from whatever metaphorical dating scene that women see him in. It may cause some discomfort for a while, yet I doubt it’ll get him fired.

He’s going to need to figure it out, because Lorelei is getting a complex about being a secret. While her designation needs to remain one, our relationships with her shouldn’t.

“You’re working tonight and have rehearsals, don’t you?” I ask.

Wrinkling her nose as she takes a sip of water, she nods. “Yes to all of that. This is my slower day as far as classes, but Professor Dalca is jumping right into things. He emailed to tell me I’m cast in a role that’ll need a lot of time and attention,” she complains. “I was hoping for something that would be easy, but I don’t want to whine about it.”

“Complaining and whining aren’t the same thing,” Phenex says. “You have a really stacked schedule. How many times a week are you required at rehearsals?”

---