Page 87 of All Your Deadly Truths
This morning, as I rolled out of bed and caught my reflection in the mirror, I felt a twinge of gratitude. My Amoro was finally beginning to recede, retreating back into me. My eyes, now their usual silvern hue, glow faintly, full of the energy I had drawn in. Kai was pleased that my tail was still poking through the hole I’d torn in my leggings. I, however, was less thrilled—especially since it meant my horns were still curled prominently atop my head.
Although I’m not particular to sharing Kai beyond last night, I can’t deny how euphoric it was to bask in two seemingly endless lifeforces. That said, as much as I appreciated my princess, her sweetness was far too cloying for my taste. It’s the kind of indulgence that might be enjoyable in small doses but would make me sick over time.
A knock on the door comes as I finish brushing my teeth. My good mood shifts sharply when I open the hotel room door and see Alaric leaning casually against the doorframe.
“Good—”
I close the door and retreat back inside, not allowing him to finish.
Kairhyse is in the shower, and Sydni has gone off to get ready. I know I should just deal with this—have the conversation with Alaric and get it over with—but part of me doesn’t want to hear whatever he has to say.
I pop my head through the open bathroom door. “I’m going to talk with angel-boy.”
A low, irritated groan rolls from Kai’s throat. “If you must.”
“We’ll be downstairs. I’ll likely be devouring some shitty hotel breakfast when you find me.”
That gets a chuckle from him, lowand amused. “You miss my pancakes, don’t you, little demon?”
More than you’ll ever know…
“Sure. If that strokes your ego.”
He barks out a laugh. “I definitely want you stroking…”
His words trail off as I stride out of the bathroom and head for the door. Without hesitation, I open it and step into the hallway. Alaric is still here, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
His slanted blue eyes rake over my body before finally settling on my face. Now that I know he comes from those holier-than-thou beings, it’s easy to see why he looks the way he does. Of course they’d bless their own kind with appearances designed to be irresistible and undeniable.
As he pushes off the wall to stand straight, he steps toward me, his movements unhurried yet deliberate. “Time for our turn to chat?”
I thrust my finger in his face, my nail pressing against the tip of his nose. “Listen, thischatis just that. Talking. Don’t touch me, don’t look lower than my collarbone. I’m sick of your shit already and it’s been only a few days.”
A feathery laugh vibrates from his throat. “As you wish, Xeraphine.”
We make our way down to the lobby and then to the dining hall, which has only a few residents quietly eating their breakfast. The aroma of food hits me as soon as we enter—it actually smells pretty good, though maybe I’m just starving. My stomach’s been growling since the moment I rolled out of bed.
After loading up a plate with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and some fruit, we settle at a small, round table that faces the waterfall outside. The weather matches my mood—overcast with a light drizzle, making the view a little dull. Honestly, I prefer this kind of sullen weather over warm, sunny tropics any day.
Still, if I had a choice, I’d take silence and a fireplace, alone with Kairhyse, over this conversation I’m about to have with this piss-stain.
“I already know what information you want, and I’ll offer that first. Maybe your hostility toward me will lessen.”
Judging by his scent, he truly believes that. Oh, how wrong he is. Playing me is one thing, but thatWerewolftricking my princess? That’s intolerable. He’ll have to grovel at my feet, lick between my toes, and suck my ankles before I even consider forgiving him for that bullshit.
I don’t bother responding. Instead, I snap a piece of bacon between my teeth, my eyes locked on him expectantly.
“The God I served was Serynne. She sent me beyond the Vayl to find Proserpina’s reincarnation and stop a mass reproduction of your kind.” My eyebrow pops up. “I’m sure you understand the Divine Twelve andtheir purposes.”
“I knowofthem.”
Truthfully, I’m only knowledgeable of Vaeloris. Why would a Demon, whotechnicallyserves Belial, whom was the thirteenth divine cast out by the almighty Himself, want to learn about their kind?
“Serynne serves to protect women and fertility. She is the sister and wife to Vaeloris and births all of the Gods’ warriors. That includes me.”
“A brother fucker,” I say between bites of a piece of toast. “Gods and Demons aren’t so different, it would seem. Enjoying their own flesh and blood.”
He leans onto his elbows, his chin resting at the top of his laced fingers. “They see it more as keeping the bloodlines strong.”
