Page 66 of Tainted Souls
Faye frowns, amused. “Not like you, but I get it. Can’t be on the hunt every night.”
“No, I’ve got a meeting to prep for,” I say, still finding an excuse to justify my rest. “Better to recharge than chase ghosts half-asleep.”
“Fair enough,” she says. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find us.”
I nod, appreciating the easy camaraderie, then watch her melt back into the crowd, a faint pang of longing stirring inside me. The hunt is always there, waiting and calling. But tonight, I’m choosing to answer something different.
Evan glances after Faye, one brow cocked, and I already know what’s coming. “Friend of yours?”
I nod. “Colleague, technically.”
“She’s hot,” he says, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial murmur. “A little intimating, though, like she’d kill you in your sleep.”
“Good thing you don’t sleep,” I point out.
“With her I would.” Evan smirks, daring anyone to challenge him.
I fist his shoulder. “No.”
As we round a corner, Marcus appears on our path.
“Crap.” Haden frantically straightens his jacket, pats his shoulders, and runs a hand through his hair, making sure he still looks presentable.
Evan and I snort quietly at his antics. Marcus looks up from his phone, his casual stride faltering as recognition dawns on hisface. His downturned eyes dart between the three of us before settling on Haden, whose cheeks flush a delicate pink.
“Well, well,” says Marcus, his voice smooth like aged bliskey. “If it isn’t my favorite troublemakers.” His gaze lingers on Haden a beat too long before it lands on me. “Heard you had quite the ordeal yesterday.”
“Someone’s keeping tabs.”
“How can I not when it was all Haden talked about?” There’s no ill will in this tone, just teasing. “The man was pacing holes in the floor.”
I glance at Haden, who actually has the grace to look embarrassed. “Aw, you were worried?”
“Of course,” he mutters, avoiding my eyes. “We all were. You went mute for a whole day, disappearing with a newly-turned vampire. What couldn’t have gone wrong? The last time that happened, a lot did.”
Something warm unfurls in my chest at his concern, though I try to hide it behind a casual shrug. “Well, I’m here now. And mostly in one piece.”
Marcus’s eyebrows climb toward his hairline. “Mostly?”
“She got stabbed.” Evan preemptively lifts the edge of my shirt to reveal the bandaged wound. “By her mind-controlled boyfriend.”
Marcus leans forward to get a better look. “That looks painful. Are you okay, Seraph?”
The concern in his voice catches me off guard. For most of my life, I’ve been the one others rely on, the one who fixes problems and handles crises.
Having people fuss over me and a wound as tiny as this one feels strange, almost uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry.” I pull my shirt back down. “It’s almost healed.”
His words fall in a hushed tone. “I could get you some extra rations if you need.”
My lips tip downward at the edges, impressed. “Okay, Haden, I see why you like him.”
Haden gapes at me, lips parting in disbelief. He throws me a look of pure panic when Marcus turns to approach him.
“I like you too,” says Marcus, winking, giving Haden a lingering pat on his shoulder. “Time to clock in for me. Try not to get into trouble while I’m gone.” With a quick wave, he heads off.
“You’re welcome,” I say, whipping my hair back.
