Page 43 of Caelum

Amusement made his eyes twinkle again, and his biceps bulged as he folded his arms across his chest then leaned back against the wall. “Yeah. Just wait until you go on a trial run. Then you’ll see the difference.”

“What’s a trial run?”

Reed shook his head. “Your language really is kooky, isn’t it?” When I blushed, he sighed. “A trial run is when they take you out, let you see the creatures in the flesh. They usually do that when you’re eighteen.”

“Why would they do that?” Goodness, why would I even want to do that? It sounded terrifying!

“So you can see the reason we exist, of course.”

When I frowned, he levered off the wall and murmured, “Anyway, I have to go. It was cool talking with you.”

I nodded, kind of relieved when he left but mostly processing what he’d just said.

Our reason for existing.

Well, every species had one, so I supposed it made sense. It was just the first time anyone had actually mentionedit.

I worried my bottom lip with my fingers as I headed toward the Garland Room, which was named for all the moldings that ran around the ceiling. Right in the center of each wall, the moldings gathered together into a garland of flowers. It was the only old part of the room though. Everything else was modern. From the squashy leather L-seater sofas to the huge screen TVs.

When I stepped into the doorway, I hesitated for a second, seeking out Stefan. He looked stressed—his brow was puckered and his mouth was twisted in an unhappy snarl. Nestor and Eren didn’t look that much better if I were being honest.

I was used to being around angry men, but at that moment, I knew I didn’t have to go and sit with them if I didn’t want to. I could go back to my room or head for the library. I had options.

Strange then, that even though I had those options, and even though I was a little uneasy about the boys’ tempers, I still moved into the room and toward them.

When they saw me, Nestor and Eren shuffled up so I could take a seat beside Stefan. They always did that, and I never complained because he smelled the best.

He was like how good fries taste but for the nose.

Part of me wanted to eat him up, but the other part questioned how that was physically possible.

“Everything okay?” I asked cautiously as I raised my knees and curved my arms around them.

The leather was soft and comfortable, but it was even better when Stefan raised an arm and curved it around my shoulder.

I pressed my side into him, immediately feeling better and not really knowing why.

It was strange to be in a room with someone and just be content because that person was there. It was even more bewildering when that person was a stranger whom you barely knew in the grand scheme of things.

God worked in mysterious ways, though, and I wasn’t about to reject this particular gift. Not when these three guys were the only ones who were talking to me on a regular basis and didn’t look at me as though I were about to develop horns.

“What day is it today?”

I was aware that to most people, tonormalpeople,that question would indicate that Stefan was unsure if it was Monday or Tuesday. For us? The question went a whole lot deeper. Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to identify the soul in charge, but now? I was pleased to admit I could.

Clearing my throat, I murmured, “Sin Eater.” I knew because I was starving. Starving. With a capital S. I felt like I could eat a million burgers and still be hungry.

Stefan snorted. “Want to grab something to eat in the kitchen?”

“No. Not yet. I ate breakfast before my class with Merry.” I had to control myself. Back at the compound, there had only been so much food. Here? It was endless. If I didn’t want to end up rounder than the big balls some of the women used when they were training, I had to find some semblance of control.

I was already twice some of their sizes, and because of the clothes here, there was no hiding it.

He shrugged. “Okay.”

“What are you today?”

A grimace twisted his mouth. “Hell Hound.”

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