Page 26 of Hell House
When I come back from the bathroom, I collapse on top of the bed while Lukas sketches at his desk. Not even bothering to get beneath the covers, I lay there listening to the sounds of Lukas’s charcoal pencil scratching across the parchment. It quickly soothes me into a dreamless sleep.
When I wake, I hear muffled laughs coming from downstairs. The room is dim, the sun just starting to set off in the distance. I blink my eyes, clearing them of the sleep that still clings to my lashes. My stomach rumbles and I realize I haven’t eaten much of anything all day. I tumble out of bed, changing my outfit. I re-tie my hair into neat pigtails, opting to leave them swinging instead of thrown up into a bun.
I make my way downstairs and pick up on the conversation going on. I slow my steps, intent on listening to these guys I now lived with.
“They won’t want your man meat Graham Cracker.”
“Let him enjoy his shark coochie.”
“It’s charcuterie! Everyone likes charcuterie.” A deep voice with a hint of Italian accent answers.
“We won’t judge you for wanting your man meat on a little cooch, Graham.”
“Who doesn’t like Italian Sausage, huh?” A riot of laughter erupts at this.
“I bet you want them to eat your Italian Sausage Graham.”
“They could be vegetarian.” A grumbly voice chimes in.
“Well then, they can eat the cheese and grapes!” The one who must be Graham answers.
“Or vegan.”
“Then just the grapes.” Graham says slamming something down that sounds like he just threw a salami on the counter.
I see Salem walk up next to me looking slightly more rested, if still a little disheveled. I give her a signal to be quiet and come over by me. She joins me in my corner, listening.
“Not another shark coochie.” A new voice grumbles.
“IT’S PRONOUNCED CHARCUTERIE! CHAR-CU-TERIE!” Salem and I look at each other stifling our laughs.
“Should we put them out of their misery?” Salem whispers.
A large hand comes around my shoulder, making me jump as I let out a shriek.
“It’s rude to eavesdrop.” Lukas’s twin brother whispers, his arms slung around mine and Salem’s bunched up shoulders. The scent of soap and something woodsy envelops us.
“Ugh, hands off, Pierce.” Salem says, shrugging out of his grasp. He lets us both go, putting his hands in his pockets and smirking down at Salem. She stands with her arms crossed over her chest and pops a gum bubble looking at him with disdain. The two of them looking at each other have enough heat to start a wildfire. Pierce looks like he’s seconds away from devouring her, and as much as Salem tries to seem annoyed by him, there’s a spark of desire dancing across her eyes.
My eyes bounce between the two of them.
“Liking your new home?” Pierce says, not taking his gaze off of Salem.
“Oh yeah, I’ve always wanted to live in a super creepy frozen tower.”
“I’d call you Rapunzel, but maybe Mother Gothel is more appropriate.”
“I’m going to-“ I start, but get interrupted by Salem stepping closer to Pierce.
“And what would that make you? The bad guy with the goiter and six toes?”
He feigns being hurt by holding his heart. “Obviously I’m the good looking one on all the Wanted signs.” He flashes his smirk, and even I have to admit it’s effective. It’s weird that it doesn’t have the same effect as when Lukas looks at me though. While they’re twins, the vibes each of them gives off are vastly different.
Salem swallows hard, scowling at him before snatching my wrist. “Let’s go get some food Skye.”
“Gladly.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
