Page 21 of The Jorogumo

After Keoni returned withnot only Silas, but Zamir and Touya as well, the whole Forest family gathered together—minus Draven, because he was in project mode and probably wouldn't leave his workshop until he was done—in one of the clearings, which rarely happened. I felt so loved in that moment.

Since I had a tendency of spending most of my time cooped up in my house, there were times when I thought I wasn't as close to my fellow supes as I hoped to be, that their bonds with each other were much stronger. Yet the way they'd shown up for me proved me wrong, and I promised myself I'd look back on this moment if I ever started doubting them again.

"I don't think I've read anything about shtrigas," Liam said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Not that what I've read about other supes is anywhere near close to being accurate."

"Yep, our ancestors got a lot of things wrong," Dustin said with a snicker, making me smile.

"Shtrigas are descended from a species of vampires that originated in Albania centuries ago. Instead of blood, we feed on life force to survive," Zamir explained, and Liam hummed thoughtfully.

"So does that reduce the lifespan of the person you feed on? Or can it be replenished, like blood?" Liam's tone held nothing but curiosity, and I knew Zamir could tell that because he was still smiling. Before he could answer though, Liam's eyes widened and he ducked his head. "Sorry, that's probably an inappropriate question, huh? You don't have to answer."

"Bah, it's fine. I can tell you're simply curious. To answer your question, life force can be replenished, but very slowly. Most humans don't survive being fed on by a shtriga, which is why I only feed from supes."

"Oh," Liam blinked, then seemed to make the connection. "Oh! You feed from the other residents here?"

Zamir nodded, his lips twisting in a frown. I knew that he hated feeding on the rest of us—and he fed just enough to get by—but unlike me, his other form wasn't the least bit humanoid, and while some supes—like the kelpie, Alaric—could handle that, Zamir preferred his human form, and we didn't mind giving him some of our life force.

"That's cool. I'm glad you can get the nourishment you need."

Wow, did nothing faze my mate? He had such a big heart, and I didn't know what I'd done to be worthy of it, but I was grateful anyway.

A while later, everyone drifted off, some to do their chores, others—with protest—to rest, leaving just me and Liam in the clearing.

"Wow. Your friends are amazing."

I smiled at him, adoring the way his eyes sparkled with joy. "So are you."

His cheeks turned pink at that, and he rolled his eyes, glancing away.

"Would you like to see my place?"

Liam's eyes shot back to mine, going wide. "Holy shit, I almost forgot. Yes, please!"

Chuckling, I waved him over, and he hopped to his feet, taking my hand in his like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Holding his hand tightly, I led him through the woods, following the familiar path that led to my house. Mine and Zamir's were the furthest away from the entrance, just the way we liked it.

My place was a two-story house, at least on the outside. The inside was completely different, and I hoped Liam wouldn't be weirded out by it.

Opening the door, I waved Liam in before following after him and closing the door behind us.

"Wow."

I eyed my place, trying to see it from Liam's eyes. There was no need for a kitchen or bathroom—though I'd need to add one now that I'd found Liam—so my whole house was one big room, with my webs making up most of the furniture I needed.

The walls around the upper half were lined with shelves I'd made with finely woven silk, filled with all the comic books I'd collected over the decades.

The lower half contained my sitting area with a hammock on one side that I slept in, and a few smaller benches I'd made by weaving my webs between two walls.

There was also a small kitty corner for Dustin's cat, since she visited often and treated my house like a damned jungle gym.

"Haruto, this might be the coolest house I've ever seen."

"You like it?"

"I love it. And I really, really want a peek at your collection."

I grinned, having expected as much. Liam loved comics as much as I did, so of course that's where his focus went first.

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