Page 315 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
“Yes.”
Her features tighten with concern. Lazarus’ brow furrows.
I allow a partial truth to slip free. “I’m just... worried about Azrael.”
Her expression tightens. “Have you searched the future?”
That at least I can answer honestly. “No.”
Lazarus’ hand seeks out Violette’s as if to reassure her that he’s there, and has no intention of leaving.
I need to leave this room.
I need to take action.
Find an outlet for the tension and anxiety coursing through me.
“I need to pay someone a visit.”
LEVI
“You realize you don’thaveto do this?” Lazarus watches me, brow knitted with concern as we stand in the forest behind the house that belongs to the male responsible for my father and, ultimately, my mother’s death. Violette rubs my arm in reassurance. “There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind, darling.” The onerous beat in my chest agrees, but my gaze remains locked in place. One of the floor-to-ceiling windows reveals a spacious living room, dimly lit by a small table lamp.
From here, the house looks empty, but I canfeelsomeone is inside.
The three of us are glamoured to appear human.
I shake my head, grim determination setting in even as dread settles in my stomach like a boulder. “I need to see this through.”
Before I can let my anxiety get the best of me, Ifoldus into the living room. Ears straining and senses reaching, my eyes scan the wall opposite the window–all lined with photos.
Family photos.
Everything inside me revolts.
Squeezes the very breath from my lungs.
However, something inside me stills the moment my eyes land on the largest of the family portraits.
No.
I close the distance between it and me.
My mind can’t quite register what it is that I’m seeing.
Atwhoit is standing beside a blonde woman holding a toddler with bows in her hair with an adolescent daughter standing in front of them.
At the silvery gray eyes, sun-drenched skin, dark hair, and handsome features that belong to…Astor?
I can’t breathe.
A wave of dizziness washes over me as reality clicks into place.
Violette’s concern is a low whisper beside me as Lazarus looks between me and the family in front of me. “Darling, are you alright?”
I rush down a nearby hallway, unconcerned with any attempt at stealth as I barrel my way towards where I can feel the sole resident.
My foot kicks open a bedroom door to discover Astor standing on the other side of it. Dressed only in a pair of boxers and an undershirt, in the midst of towel-drying his wet hair.“Jesus fuck.”
