He raised a brow at me. “You know I’d love nothing more than to sleep with you if you’ve suddenly lost your fear of me.”
Felix’s words made me pause. The deer creature was beyond terrifying, but he was the one that ripped it to shreds like it was nothing. My gut twisted into knots and I started to sweat. He didn’t look like a complete madman yet, but it was possible the bear shifter didn’t lose it right away, either.
At my hesitation, he gave my hand a comforting squeeze and turned to leave. Before he could make off the front steps of the porch, I darted in front of him and held my arms out, blocking his path. “Th- the couch!” I stammered. Felix’s large frame towered over me. The sharp daggers of his fangs poked past the top of his snout and the haunting red eyes of a predator was a little more than intimidating. He could gut me like a fish if he was so inclined. Yet his hands were gentle when he guided me home. Even now, with all my indecisiveness, the werewolf was just waiting patiently for me to tell him what I wanted. Cinnamon said he was good people. I trusted her more than anyone. And if I was being fully honest, I was a lot more scared of another ghoul showing up than him. As foolish as that might have been.
My knees shook when I tried to look him in the eye, but I did my best to stomp down my nervousness. “Can you sleep on the couch? In human form, I mean.”
He tilted his head to the side and watched me for a moment. “You’ll be alright with me so close?”
“Probably?” I shrugged. “You haven’t hurt me yet, but a ghoul already has. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not scared of you, but I think I’d feel safer if you were closer.”
A low thumping sound knocked against the porch railing, but it was too dark to see what it was. “Alright,” he said.
“Is your tail wagging?” I asked.
“No.” The thumping stopped.
He is strangely adorable for a monster.I let out a sigh of relief and clapped my hands together. “Great, I’ll get you some blankets.” I made my way back inside, then paused when I noticed he wasn’t following. Instead, Felix made his way further into the dark night. “Wait, where are you going?”
He turned back and held up his hands. “I’m still filthy, remember? Something tells me you wouldn’t appreciate blood on your nice upholstery.”
My fingers clenched the door frame tight. I peeked back into my pitch black house, half expecting some monstrosity to pop out as soon as he got further enough away. “Oh, right. Make it quick, OK?” I asked. The amount of fear in my voice was embarrassing. But pride could go fuck itself when compared to monsters in the dark.
Felix grinned, the white of his fangs standing out against the darkness. “Anything for you, Lamb.”
With that, I set to work setting up the couch for a good night’s rest. Well, after stubbing my toe a few times, fumbling around trying to find my extra lantern. Nighttime was overrated. I shook out the spare blankets and sneezed when a thin layer of dust kicked up. It must have been longer than I thought since I last had company spend the night. I took out my frustration on the intruding dust bunnies and laid out the makeshift bed. Once the pillows were sufficiently fluffed, and lavender incense was replaced with a fresh stick, I took a step back and rested a hand on my hip.This will do. Just because I’m a coward doesn’t mean I have to be a poor host.
The marriage certificate sitting on the coffee table caught my eye. My name was hastily scribbled next to Felix’s. Most likely done by whatever terrified clerk he managed to rope into his shenanigans.Is it still considered hosting if he’s sort of my husband?
My ruminations were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. I turned to greet my sort of husband, only to shield my eyes at his nudity. “Cheese and rice, cover up!” I demanded. I could feel the man’s smug look without even seeing him. But I sneaked a peek through my fingers. I’m only human.
“That wasn’t what you were saying a few hours ago, Love.” He moved through the room and took a throw blanket from the love seat and wrapped it around his waist.
“Times change.” I said, dropping my hands.
He settled himself into the nest of blankets and patted at the space next to him. “Would you like to join me now, or should I wait until you undoubtedly hear something scurrying outside?”
I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms. “I’m sure I’ll manage fine in my own bed.”
“Of course, Lamb. I’m sure nothing has managed to hide itself upstairs yet. You’ll be fine.”
A prick of fear raced down my spine, and I looked to the staircase. “What? Why would you say that?”
His voice took on an innocent tone. “I said you’ll be fine.” He placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. “Well, goodnight, Darling. Say hello to the Hungry Man for me.”
“Nice try, jerk.” I said, throwing a pillow at his head. “Cin told me all about your Hungry Man and it won’t work on me.”
“Pity.” He sighed.
I held my chin up and snatched the lantern off the table. Its dim light flickered against the room’s objects, casting sinister shadows I refused to acknowledge. With as much false confidence as I could muster, I headed upstairs to bed.
Chapter 8
Felix
Endless darkness surrounded me on all sides. I reached out my arms, trying to find something to touch. But there was nothing there. There never was. No sound. No smell. No light. Just nothing. I tried to scream, desperate to hear the sound of my own voice, but that didn’t work either. It didn’t matter how much I fought; the result was always nothing.
I didn’t know how long I was floating in the abyss, but it felt like an eternity. Focusing all of my attention on my ears, I tried to listen for any sound. Any scratch or call that would pull me away from this miserable darkness.
