Page 83 of Laid Bare

Turn of the century pieces hang every few apart with a small lamp shining from above each one, highlighting the different works of art. Each one is so vastly different from the other, it makes me wonder why he chose these specific ones when I know there’s better out in the world.

He’s a vampire, though, and I won’t even pretend to think I have him figured out.

When I enter the room he disappeared into, my steps falter when the first thing I see is a black lacquer coffin shining in the candlelight set upon a pedestal. The lid is closed and there’s a pile of clothes folded on the top, possibly the things he’s taking with him on his business trip.

Axel chuckles from somewhere off to my left. “Thought that was a myth, huh?”

“I mean, yeah.” I turn away and toward his voice to find him standing in the doorway of a massive walk-in closet. “The few vampires I’ve acquainted myself with in the past told me as much. But I know you’re pressed with time, so I’ll keep those stories for a later date.”

“Of course.” He disappears back inside, but I can hear him clearly. “So lay it on me.”

“I had mentioned that she ran out of the room. That’s true. But not before she looked at me with regret, guilt, and,” I swallow hard, “fear.”

“She was scared?”

“Yeah. And I don’t know why.”

“Have a seat, Thaddeus. I have a few theories.”

A seat? Where? There’s not a single chair in this room, and the only piece of furniture is the coffin, and it would be disrespectful to sit on the closed lid.

“In here.”

Faerie hell. I want to facepalm myself for not realizing that sooner.

Inside the closet is like its own mini shopping mall. Almost larger than the main bedroom itself, there’s a set of stairs to a second level, and a large mirror covering the back wall. There are sections for shoes, belts, shirts, pants, suits, and that’s only on the bottom floor.

I take the chaise lounge positioned in front of the mirror as Axel thumbs through his racks of clothing.

“Okay, so, the regret and the guilt are two-fold,” Axel jumps right in. “As her mates, Luka and I, she’s never mentioned feeling something for you. It can be new, or something she buried long ago. After all, you were dating someone.” He pins me with a look like that should explain it all. “Also, you guys kissed, which is further than she got with the demons.”

“Wait!” I explode out of the chair. “What do you mean the demons? They’re her bodyguards.”

“Ahh.” He wags his finger. “Not exactly. She feels something for them, and she told us that she and Zane almost kissed. Almost. But she backed away. So that’s the other part. But the fear? Have you ever considered that she might think she’s a rebound? I mean, you were with your girlfriend for how long? And it was the entire time Bailey’s been at Stonewell. So all she’s seen is the two of you. Now, the girlfriend is gone, and you’re kissing her. Why wouldn’t she think she’s a rebound in the grand scheme of it all.”

Pixie shit. I never even considered that.

“She’s not,” I mutter, tugging at the ends of my hair. “You have to believe me.”

Axel leans against the shelf containing an impressive shoe collection, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re not very confident for a Fae prince, are you?” He laughs. “I’m not the one you need to be convincing. It’s her. At the end of the day, it’sherchoice who she takes as mates.”

“But how do I do that if she ran away from me?”

He shakes his head with a chuckle.

“I’ll help you this once, prince boy.” He holds up a single finger. “After that, you’re on your own. Deal?”

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to make a deal with a Fae?”

“Fae. Crossroad demon.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Same difference.”

“Alright. Deal. What do you have in mind?”

Axel proceeds to explain the idea he has, and though a little deceiving, it may just work.

Let’s just hope she gives me enough time to explain it all instead of rejecting me before I can even begin.

“Alright.No more sulking, pinky. You’ve been doing it for days, and frankly, you’ve become as boring as Lucifer’s toupee.”

---