Page 337 of Flirting with Darkness

“I’d rather be a nocturnal feast!” Rae bites back, marching toward the entrance.

Quickly stomping the small fire on my coat out, I make my way in front of her, preventing her exit.

“Get out of my way, Kharon!” Rae’s eyes lock with mine and the glassy puddles she restrains in the corners of her eyes, make my heart melt.

I want to reach out to touch her. Comfort her. But I know better. The way Rae is looking at me tells me she’s wary of me. She has every reason to be. “I’m sorry, Rae. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.”

With another daggered stare, Rae leans away from me, appalled at the sight of me. “Really, Kharon! That’s all you have to say for yourself! I come out here—risk my life to see if you’re okay and all you have to say is that isn’t how you wanted it to come out? Wow! I’m a bigger idiot than I thought—”

“Hold on,” I say, side stepping her view of the exit. “You came out here to see ifI’m okay?”

Rae’s posture softens, but she still maintains her distance. “Yes, of course.” Her soft reply matches the genuine care I see in her eyes as she regards me.

As much as I should be comforted by her reply, Rae’s words confuse me. “Why? After everything—”

“You know why, Kharon.” Rae’s tender eyes search mine, but still, she doesn’t move.

Casting my gaze toward the ground, I work hard to avert my eyes from her tight-locked stare. I don’t want her looking at the wretched thing I’ve become. With wilted, mole-ridden skin, a hooked nose, and hunched posture, I resemble a monster befitting a bell tower, than in the presence of one so lovely. Seeing my reflection in a small puddle at my feet, I thrash my boot into the water and turn away from her.I am hideous!

But this time it’s Rae stopping me from walking away from her.

“Oh no you don’t!” She snaps, grabbing my shoulder. “You’remy hostagenow, Kharon! And you’re going to listen to what I have to say.”

Rae tightens her small hands on me, squeezing my shoulder stronger than I thought her capable. Being in her hold feels good.Too good. Looking at her perfect, honey-hued face isn’t helping matters. I want for nothing than to bring her in my arms, but I can’t. As far as she knows, I am the villain of the story.

“It’s not safe for you here, Rae. You should leave.” This time my curt tone is intentional. I know not whether the Changelings will return or if they’re done with me entirely. While all notions suggest the latter—as my rapid aging tells me they’ve left me to die here. And that’s what I plan to do. Die here. Alone.

Rae has suffered enough pain today. I do not wish that she endure anymore. Although, with the way she’s looking at me now, she might enjoy a front seat to my demise.

Squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin, she smirks. “No.” Rae’s resolute tone is quick. “I see what you’re trying to do, Kharon Nyx.I see you.” Slowly, her gaze drags along my face and through the entirety of me, smiling sweetly as she does. I don’t know what she sees in a monster like me, but with one foot at death’s door, it costs me nothing to understand what, if anything, she sees.

3

RAE

Kharon’s darkened stare lingers on me, and I wish I knew what he was thinking.

Do I look like a fool to him? Or maybe I look crazy?

Either way, I need him to know that while I can’t explain it, I know he’s not the monster everyone thinks he is. A monster couldn’t look at me the way he does. A monster wouldn’t keep me warm and safe in his arms. A monster couldn’t possibly fill my heart with an earnest desire I’ve never known.

Unless, perhaps, I’m a monster too.

“Then tell me, Rae, what is it that you think you see?” Keeping his face set with mine, Kharon allows a thin crescent smile to lax at the corner of his tightened jawline. “Because all I am now is a wretched and cursed old man. And you aren’t safe here. Not with me.”

Once more, Kharon turns his face away, but my fingers quickly catch his jaw, keeping his eyes locked with mine. “You’re not going to scare me away, Kharon!” I counter and I watch his eyes soften, relieved. “But I need you to be honest with me.”

Taking my wrist, he gently pulls his face from my hand, but I quickly twine my fingers with his. Kharon’s eyes dart over his shoulder at me, likely surprised by the gesture. Frankly, my newfound boldness shocks even me.

Reticent, his posture relaxes, and he blows out a sigh. I don’t know if he’s relieved, or annoyed but I maintain my grasp in his hand. I came all this way; I must stay my course.

“What do you want to know?”

Okay, here goes nothing. Time to prove I’ve indeed got a steel pair of lady balls.

“Why did you hold my cousin hostage? Why did you make us think he was dead?”

A small, almost bashful smile lingers at the corner of his mouth, and he laughs, shaking his head. “So I see you’re not holding any punches, eh?”

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