Page 15 of Tortured Soul
I snapped my head toward that voice with a sneer. “I’mnotclumsy. I stand by my version. You tried to break my neck.”
He stood and turned to face us, his arms crossed over his chest.
Until now, I hadn’t seen his full face since it had been covered by that scary looking helmet. His eyes were the color of a dark chocolate—as all non-shapeshifting demon’s eyes were always some shade of brown or black—and his skin quite tanned. He traded his thick black guard uniform for a white T-shirt and black sweatpants. His dark blond hair was tied in a manbun and looked like it reached his shoulders when it was untied.
He was way less impressive without his mask or uniform. He looked…normal. Like any average demon on his day off.
“I’ll go and install the lock on your door,” Kai said, giving me a nod and heading back toward the front door where the stairs leading up were. “It’ll be just a few minutes.”
His smile was warm before he disappeared out of my sight.
I turned toward Aymeric who was silently stirring something in a pan. It smelled heavenly. My eyes caught the sight of an espresso machine and I nearly stumbled from relief before Marcus blocked its view with his large frame.
“Did you get that coffee you so desperately wanted?” he asked, his back to me. He lifted his arm to search inside a top cupboard.
“I didn’t.”
“Shame.”
I groaned internally. Was this how my life was going to be? Coffeeless? Was I being forced into a cure? Was I expected to beg for a single shot of espresso?
The machine made a loud sound as he poured a cup. My mouth watered.
“Marcus told me you spent all day in that tower. You must be famished,” Aymeric said, turning his face toward me as he reached for the salt.
“I’m fine,” I said, right as my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. “Okay, I know I can’t die from hunger, but it feels like I might.”
He laughed softly. I looked over his shoulder, trying to ignore the need I had to beat up Marcus and make sure that coffee was for me, to see that he was cooking some chicken and vegetables. The scent of paprika and garlic reached my nose and made my mouth water. If I had a coffee to drink with it, I could die a happy demon.
“It smells really good,” I blurted out.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He grinned. “I love to cook, used to be one before the war. The twins don’t eat anything that’s not a red liquid, and that guy is picky. Won’t even look at it if it’s green…” he whispered the last part conspiratorially.
“My problem is not with the color, ohold one,” Marcus drawled, “but with the taste.”
“Don’t insult my cooking any longer, you manchild.”
Marcus turned around, holding the small espresso cup in his large hand.Give it to me, you—
“I’m older than you,” Marcus countered.
“And yet, you’re calling me old, and I’ve seen you eat dino nuggets. More than once.”
Marus rolled his eyes as he took the cup closer to his lips, setting his gaze on me.
That bastard was taunting me.
“Stop torturing the girl, you don’t even like coffee,” Aymeric said as he grabbed a plate and filled it with the contents of the pan. As he turned, the ceiling light made his gray hair shine silver.
“You’re no fun,” Marcus replied, placing the cup on the island counter, pushing it reluctantly toward me. “Here’s your coffee.”
A lot happened at once in my head. First, confusion as to why he made me a coffee when he’s been taunting me for the most part of ourpast interactions. Second, I wondered briefly if maybe he poisoned it. Finally, I decided I didn’t even care if it was in fact poisoned. I was so desperate for a coffee that it was worth the possible tummy ache. I drank half of it in one gulp and repressed a satisfied sound from escaping me.
“Have a seat, Lola.” Aymeric placed the plate on the island and led me to a stool. He took a fork and a knife out of a drawer before setting them next to the served food.
I sat down, my half drunk double espresso still in hand and was surprised to see Aymeric and Marcus sit at the island with me. Without food.
“Aren’t you eating too?”
