Page 97 of Ever Dark

Our love flows through me as I work, almost as if I’m in a trance. No one has ever watched me paint before, let alone the subject I’m painting.

My body comes alive as I furiously switch between colors, my fingers tingling under the heat of his gaze. And I don’t stop until it’s a masterpiece. All the other paintings of him from before are ominous, thick swirls of black ink with red eyes.

But as I stand back to look at this new piece, a smile plays on my lips. He’s a man with horns, a tail, claws, and a forked cock. His skin is golden brown, and his eyes are black. There’s nothing dangerous or sinister about it. This new version of Nox is so pure it’s almost human.

His gaze lingers on the canvas for what seems like an eternity before he breaks the silence. “Thank you, my love. I wanted to know how you see me now. This makes me happy.”

I stifle a giggle as I watch him squeeze back into the clothes Aries gave him.. “Sorry. We’ll get some custom things for you to wear.”

He smiles back at me. “Whatever you wish, Mia.”

MIA

“Are you sure no one will notice?” Nox asks as I finish tucking his horns inside the black hood of his sweatshirt.

“Who the fuck cares if someone does?” Draven loosens the knot on his tie. “This is our town. If anyone upsets our little pyro, I’m breaking their face.”

Aries and Bones nod in agreement, almost giddy at the thought of brutalizing someone in my honor.

It’s been almost a week since I brought Nox out of my nightmares and into our world. A week since I sold my soul to the devil. Oddly enough, I don’t feel any different. But the cuts on my palm have left scars that don’t seem to have any intention of fading. A reminder of my sacrifice. I will display them proudly as I don’t have a single regret.

I’ve spent time with each of them separately over the past few days but there’s still this unspoken tension. An uneasiness that none of us want to verbalize. This new situation will take some getting used to. Nox seems like he’s the least bothered by it. He’s intriguedmore than anything. And I can’t help but notice a tiny spark between him and Aries.

So when Lettie called me to suggest we throw a party for Nox, I was all for it. We need a night to let loose, throw back some drinks, and just have fun. Then maybe I can get the three of them to open up to Nox more.

With blue contacts, a hood covering his horns, his claws retracted, and his tail pinned against his leg under his new custom jeans, he looks like a dark angel—haunting, ethereal, mesmerizing. Caught between something human and otherworldly.

But while Nox may tower over all three of them; Draven, Aries, and Bones are formidable. And ever since we’ve stepped into this new version of reality, their energy has oozed even darker. Draven especially.

He takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. “You look beautiful.”

I feel my cheeks heat under the weight of his stare, his gold-flecked eyes rich and warm like burnt honey. The first time I went to a party at Bones’s Garage, I scolded myself for showing up in a tight dress and stiletto heels. I almost fell flat on my face in the dirt. But tonight, I hold my head up high.

Dressed in a short denim skirt, a black lace camisole, and motorcycle boots, I feel sexy and practical. I throw on my cropped leather jacket and flash them each a grin. “Let’s have some fun tonight, boys.”

Aries grabs my hips and anchors me back into his chest. “Boys? We are grown men with ravenous appetites, baby,” he teases, his breath hot in my ear.

A warm sensation starts in my belly and quickly spreads through my core. “Mmm, you’ll have to prove that later.”

Nox approaches, hovering over both of us. “Yes… I’d like to see that.”

Draven takes his tie off and tosses it on my kitchen table. Heundoes the top three buttons of his shirt before unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling his sleeves up. “Maybe we start now.”

He presses into me, sandwiching me between him and Aries. Nox draws in closer, a low growl erupting from his chest. All I can feel is the heat between us. Beads of sweat roll down my back as I clench my thighs together.

“Fuck,” Bones rasps. “As much as I’d like us to take turns eating your pussy out right here on this table, my sister is going to kill us if we don’t get back to the garage. She’s already blowing up my phone.”

Draven chuckles. “She might be the sweet Crane but she’s still a Crane, nonetheless. I’m not trying to piss her off.”

We all laugh at that except Nox. He stares at me, his lips quivering. It’s hard for him to shut it off. To exist in a capacity that isn’t sexual or affectionate.

I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek to his chest. “Later, love. After the party. I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.”

He holds me tight. “Be careful what you wish for, dark one. You forget just how brutal I can be.”

My belly does a little somersault. It’s the times when we are at our most vile and depraved that I crave. His little threats only make me more aroused. “Promise?”

He chuckles in my ear, finally relaxing his tense muscles. “You were literally made for me.”

---