Page 112 of Of Mercury and Mist

“When do I get to decide anything?” I asked.

Micha sipped on his beverage and came around the chair. “You already did, angel.”

“How do you know?”

He dragged his hand through the air in front of me, leaving a sparkling trail in his wake. Colors floated around me, a fine cloud of gold bordering a gentle pink around my heart and a deep red around my groin. When I lifted my eyes, my gaze snagged on his chest and I glanced back down, the red tint around my lap brightening.

“Oh my God,” I wiped my hand down my face. “That’s embarrassing.”

Della snickered, Josiah raised a brow, and Micha looked like he was two seconds away from eating me. “Can we not do this please?” I begged.

Micha fluttered his fingers at me and the vision disappeared. “As I said, you made your decision.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” I faced Della.

She had the grace to look sheepish. “Well, it's not something generally talked about. I’m sure you understand. Would you have believed me if I told you my boyfriend was a vampire and demon?”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up my throat. “No.” She widened her eyes as if to say, “Okay then.” I’d never imagined such a thing even existed, before.

“Are you a vampire now? Did he turn you?” I gazed at Josiah accusingly. “Do you have to drink blood?” I asked Della.

“We don’t operate like that. If it came down to it, yes, I would turn her. I’d never let any harm come to her. When we claim someone it's for eternity; it's in the vampire nature. We’re not fickle humans.” He stated the latter with distaste, as if humans were scum.

“But yes, she drinks my blood. Its stops her from aging,” Josiah informed me after a moment.

“Like a glass of it?”

“No. In bed.” I watched in fascination as his teeth elongated and his eyes glittered while he eyed her. I’d never seen this side of the man. He’d always been very formal; kind of stuffy if I were honest. At least around me. It should’ve been terrifying to see him transform, but it wasn’t, not after everything I’d witnessed.

Della’s cheeks flushed and Micha interrupted the heated moment, sliding his thumb over my lips before he said, “We have other matters to discuss.”

“Indeed, we do,” Josiah agreed. “Micha killed an important member of the Second Realm’s government. Two of them, including Samuel.” My pulse started racing at his words.

“Don’t tell me you miss the prick,” Micha growled at me.

“Of course not. It's just a weird feeling knowing he’s gone. I mean, I spent a lot of time with him.” A rumbling sound came from his chest. “I’d have killed him myself, given the chance.”

“I believe it. After all,” Josiah held his hand toward Micha, “you’re certainly capable of trying.”

Della giggled. “It's kinda hilarious you tried to kill Micha.”

“He deserved it,” I snapped, and Micha slowly shook his head at me.

“Your homicidal tendencies toward me aside, it won’t be long before an all-out war,” Micha’s voice was low as he issued the warning.

“Both of you beautiful creatures need to be prepared. You’re going to stay here, in my house until we deem it safe. We have the wraiths, including an army, and of course, multiple guards. Micha and I will work from home as much as possible but there will be occasions we are needed in office.”

“We have a safe room. With snacks in it. A bed,” Della spoke animatedly, seemingly excited over the possibility of being under siege.

“Um, okay,” I said.

She leaned forward. “You should’ve come to Canada with us. I’m so glad I can talk to you about stuff now. I learned how to use a bow and arrow; I can shoot any kind of gun. There’s all these cool spells you can do.”

I gaped at her. This was a whole new side of the girl I’d been inseparable from for years. “Christ. Really?” She nodded, a grin splitting her face.

Samuel hadn’t let me touch any of the cool stuff he’d had laying around his house and if I’d so much as gone within three feet of anything, there was a wraith to ward me off.

“I wanna do that.” I glanced up at Micha.

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