“How do I kiss a killer and not die?” I mutter more to myself than anything, but they still answer me.
“By being clever.” They each hold up a hand at my snort to stop my rebuttal. “Mark them and we will do the rest. That’s all, Valkyrie. You are free to return.”
Before I can snap at them, they wave their hands and I’m slammed back into my physical body. I inhale sharply, eyes flying open as my body jerks with life once again. I shoot up into a sitting position, pressing a hand hard against the throbbing pawprint. Eyes stinging and watering, I continue to gasp in air and mentally curse Cerberus over and over again.
Once my racing heart calms and I no longer feel like I’m choking, I snatch my phone from the charger to check how long I had been away. An hour. That isn’t too bad, but damn am I more exhausted than I was when I laid down.
Noticing a text notification, I click on my messages. I tap on Seth’s conversation and roll my eyes at the eggplant emoji he sent. Still, I laugh and simply send him back a shrugging emoji.
Rude.Comes the immediate response. Why is he still up at midnight?
Oh, please. There are so many girls who will throw themselves at your feet, Warlock. I type back.
You’re not wrong. But I was referring to you and me this weekend.
We’ll see. I’m going to have a new case, but I’m not sure when I’m starting. Hopefully Monday. You know, unless more bodies drop before then.
Ouch. Potential serial killer?
My lips press into a hard, thin line. I don’t like talking about work with Seth, or anything that’s personal. It makes our situation seem deeper than it is. He’s just a bed companion and someone I blow off steam with. I don’t need, or want, any deep bonds with anyone. Taylor is the only exception.
Dodging the question, I send the sleeping emoji to him and mute my phone. Sliding open my bedside drawer, I take out the small bottle of tequila and swallow two gulps. I wipe my mouth, twist the cap back on, and put it away again. Snuggling under my blankets, I roll onto my side and pass out minutes later.