Page 45 of Villainous Soul

Us.

The red eyes of the beast, along with the deathly blue tone to my skin as we coexisted in a maddening dance of monster and man, was downright scary.

At least the beast was quiet for now.

Evie.

I hurried back to the guest room and found her still sitting on the bed. “Come,” I said, taking her arm.

Her hands shook as she pulled back. “Y-y-your eyes. They were glowing red.”

Shite.

I smiled, hoping to hide my own anxiousness. “Red?” I shook my head, acting confused

“Yes. When you were standing by the window. Your eyes were red.”

“It will have been the reflection from the lights of the city,” I explained. “That’s all.”

“They were that way in the pub too.”

“Maybe it was from my contacts. I’m not sure. What color are they now?”

“Gray.”

“Aye, well then, that’s good to hear. For a second, you had me convinced I was possessed.” I picked her up and carried her into my room. “Now, let’s get cleaned up.” I set her down in my large walk-in shower, turning on the water. “Come here,” I said, opening my arms for her.

She seemed somewhat recovered and moved closer, joining me under the warm spray.

“Did I hurt you?” I squeezed some shower gel into my hand and began to rub her shoulders.

“No,” she answered quickly, looking down. The deep earthy scent of vetiver, oakmoss, and honeyed orange filled the air.

I tilted her chin up with my knuckles. A blush covered her cheeks. “Really?”

“It took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to feel, um, so big that way. I thought I would split it two.”

“But did I hurt you?” I asked again.

“No,” she said. “I liked it.”

I pulled her into my arms. “I would never intentionally hurt you. I just wanted you so badly.”

“You wantedme?” She sounded surprised.

“Aye, I did.” It wasn’t a lie. I did want her.

And so did Dearil.

I turned off the water and handed her a towel. I shouldn’t have told her that. In the end, I had nothing to offer her. Relationships were out of the question considering my current roommate. Demon monsters don’t make the best company. Not to mention the risk.

“Here,” I said, taking a t-shirt from my dresser and tossing it to her. She slipped it over her head.

Bloody hell.

With her hair tousled around her face and her swollen lips, she looked absolutely ravaged. She was no longer the innocent girl on the plane. Instead, she looked wanton. “I’ll walk you back to the guest bedroom,” I said, clearing my throat.

If she was disappointed that I wasn’t asking her to sleep in my bed, she didn’t show it. I couldn’t take the chance, not after what just happened. She stopped at the door and turned around. “Good night Keir,” she said, touching my bare chest. “Thank you for letting me stay the night.”

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