Page 47 of Shadow

Asylum had a big-screen TV, gaming consoles, two beds, and a small kitchenette area with an attached bathroom. I’d stayed here before. As always, his space was tidy. He had a single poster hanging on the wall of a fantasy forest. No context to it or anything, but it was pretty.

“Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to his bed.

Cautiously, I moved to it, settled on the edge, and watched as he bustled to his fridge, pulled out some sodas, and brought them over.

He came back and offered me one, which I nervously took. I cracked the top and took a sip before looking at the empty bed where Bryce slept.

Shadow.

“He had therapy and then stopped to grab some snacks,” Asylum said, breaking into my thoughts. “He’ll be here soon.”

I sipped my drink again. There was a knock on his door, and he rose to answer it. I watched as his friend Coby stood on the other side.

“Not tonight. I have company,” Asylum said.

Coby peeked over Asylum’s shoulder and widened his eyes at me.

“That’s the fucking Watchers’ girl. Are younuts, man? That’s the kind of girl that can get you murdered?—”

“I assure you it’s fine, and yes, I am nuts. So are you. That’s why we’re here. Tell Riley we’ll hang out another time.”

“If you’re still alive,” Coby muttered. “Good luck, man. You’ll need it.”

Asylum chuckled and bid him farewell before shutting the door and returning to sit beside me on the bed.

“Sorry. He’s a bit odd,” he said with a gentle laugh. “I'm odd too, so I guess it balances out.”

I studied his handsome face as he took another sip of his drink.

“You’re uncomfortable,” he said, his voice low and serious after a moment. He took my drink from me and set it on the bedside table next to his. “And you know what, firefly? You should be. I’m not a safe guy to be around.” Everything about his demeanor shifted, making me widen my eyes as I stared at him. My heart pounded as his fresh scent enveloped me.

“Do you know who I am?” he whispered, leaning toward me. He shifted, forcing me to lean back as he caged me in with his arms. “Say my name, little bug. I want to hear it.”

I swallowed hard as he leaned in closer.

“Tell me, or I'll kiss the pink from that pretty mouth of yours,” he continued softly. “I’ve missed the way you taste. Fuck the rules.”

I licked my lips. His eyes darted to the action, the heat from his body warming me.

“Use your words,” he murmured. “I know you can.”

“A-Asylum,” I rasped.

“Mm, it sounds so pretty on your lips. I like that.” He closed the distance between us and lightly traced his nose up my jaw. “I appreciate how you tremble for me. Are you afraid of me, firefly?”

“S-Sometimes,” I managed to say.

He laughed softly at my words. “I fucking love that too.” He paused for a moment, his lips at my ear.“Tonight, you belong to me. The Watchers fail to retrieve. Lie in this bed, with my arms around you tight, or is it another you wish to hold you tonight? Say a Shadow from a world beyond to hold you until the dawn?”

The door to the room opened. I thought he’d snap away from me. Instead, he chuckled softly into my ear, his hand on my waist.

“He knows you’re already mine. I just haven’t officially laid claims. But when I do? It’ll be my name you scream, firefly. Remember that.”

The door clicked shut, and Asylum finally drifted away from me. I swallowed hard as Bryce stepped into the room. His hazel eyes darted to me before they moved to Asylum, a strange look on his face.

“You were almost too late,” Asylum said easily. “I suspect therapy went well?”

“It was fine,” Bryce mumbled, glancing at me again.

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