Page 223 of Halfblood Deceived

Aylana and Sebastian entered the room and closed the door behind them.

“Are you in pain?” the vampire asked, his golden, silky hair falling down his shoulder as he tilted his head, examining Aella.

“Um, no,” Aella said, trying to catalog her feelings and failing.

“You look a bit… startled,” Aylana commented.

Sebastian blinked. “Do you want me to step out?”

“No!” Aella exclaimed too loudly. She sighed. “I’m fine. I’m just, um, shocked, I guess.” At her friends’ curious expressions, she elaborated. “Reese said they are in love with me.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Duh.”

Aylana elbowed him.

“What do you mean by ‘duh?’” Aella asked.

“I watched them watch you when I visited Hecate this week,” Sebastian said, lips curling wryly. “It was very obvious.”

Aella groaned, barely resisting the impulse to put a pillow over her head and scream.

“Does it bother you?” Aylana asked.

Aella shook her head. “No. I’m just… Well, I’m not sure what they see in me, really.”

“Ask Zeydan, I’m sure he has a comprehensive list,” Sebastian said. “Hells, Zeydan might even offer a demonstration.” He wiggled an eyebrow.

Aella’s cheeks flamed.

Aylana pulled one of Sebastian’s ears. “Forgive him, he’s still not house-trained.”

“Ow!” he protested, mock scowling at his mate.

Aella chuckled, but a tight knot formed in her chest. “I still haven’t told Zeydan about the kiss with Reese. What if he gets mad at me?”

Zeydan is not violent, he won’t scream at me, he won’t hurt me; she said to herself. But the air grew heavy in her lungs.

The beeping of the machine turned erratic.

“Easy, honey.” Aylana pressed a button in the machine that quieted the beeping and sat on the edge of Aella’s bed, brow tight with worry. “Breathe, Aella.”

Aella obeyed but ended up coughing a bit.

Sebastian poured a glass of water and handed it to Aella. “Slowly.”

Aella took his advice. By the third sip, she felt marginally calmer.

Sebastian gave Aella’s hand a soft pat. “Try not to worry so much, alright? I can assure you it won’t go badly.”

“I agree with Sebastian,” Aylana said. “Zeydan is a good male. But if he were ever rude to you, I’d kick his ass into the next dimension.”

“And Diana would help,” Sebastian said.

Aella laughed shakily. “You guys are the best.”

Sebastian lifted his chin. “We know, darling. We know.”

Aylana rolled her eyes at him.

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