Page 18 of Tortured Soul
“You’re always late,” Aymeric countered, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.
“And look what it got me,” Marcus said, tilting his head toward me. “I wouldn’t have been on the retrieval party with Carter if I was on time. Won’t happen again today, I won’t let them give us another roommate that I can’t shake off.”
Rude.
Aymeric gave him a disapproving look, resting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. But Marcus’ comment still stung.
I dropped my fork next to my barely touched plate and stood up.
“We can go now. I wasn’t that hungry.”
Aymeric turned his head toward me and studied my face with sad eyes. Of course I was starving. But Marcus was getting on my nerves, and I needed to get away. Maybe being a brat got me out of unwanted situations before, but it didn’t seem like it would help here.Hewas a bigger pain in the ass than me.
One of his brows rose up, suspicion etching his face.
“Good. We leave in five minutes.”
And with that, he was gone. Probably in his room facing the front door.
“I’ll put this in a lunch box for you,” Aymeric said, grabbing my plate with a small smile. “You can eat in Kai’s office, he won’t mind.”
It wasn’t much, but his kindness made me fight to repress the tears building up behind my eyes. Was it weird that one of the only kindnesses I’ve gotten in the last half century had been from Lucifer and Lilith themselves and now Aymeric?
I was never able to count on my Archdemons or tied group. After all, what did I have to complain about? I was the first of my kind. The first Succubus. I had powers other Succubi never had the chance to get. Powers most Immortals could never imagine. So what if they were bridled and my pheromones were sometimes out of control? So what if, sometimes, some Immortals felt entitled to force themselves on me?It’s not a big deal, most of my Archdemons have told me in the past. I was an asset. A chest piece in their power games.
Too bad I was not the Succubus they hoped I’d be. A bad one, as they liked to say…
“There you go,” Aymeric said, giving me a little lunch bag. “Don’t worry about buying food for now, we have plenty in the fridge. Kai will help you find your marks here. Take your time though, you won’t be charged for the ridiculously low rent for the time being.”
I nodded, accepting the little bag.
“And ignore Marcus,” he added, patting my shoulder. “He’s a grump, especially in the morning. But he’s kind in his own way. I’m sure he’s regretting his words as we speak, and you can expect him to make you your coffee everyday for the rest of your stay here.”
A forced smile stretched my lips. “It’s alright,” I said. “My kind has a bad rep. I’m used to it.”
He shook his head softly. “It’s not—”
“Let’s go,” the demon said as he closed his door and stood in front of the entrance, interrupting Aymeric.
I gave the angel one last smile, thanked him for the lunch box and followed after Marcus.
Our walk was silent. Tense. I forced my legs to follow his quick steps as he seemed to force his to slow down.
Now that the sun was up, shops were slowly opening. People were walking and talking in the street, casting us—me—curious glances. We walked past a flower shop—where they could get flowers in this arid land was a mystery—a small open café, and a few still closed restaurants.
So far, there were no clothing stores…
“It’s not about you being a Succubus,” Marcus grumbled next to me.
“Hm?”
He let out an annoyed sound. “I heard you and Aymeric talk. I don’t have a problem because you’re a Succubus. I don’t think anyone does.”
“That’s not what Carter said,” I mumbled.
“Carter has issues of his own.” He waved dismissively. “He was out of line, and Arc will make sure he doesn’t overstep again.”
A dry scoff breached my throat and he gave me a strange look. We took a turn and the temple appeared a few blocks away. It looked holy in the bright sunlight.
