“Luca,” Celine warns.
“What?” He shoots me an angry look, as if it’s my fault he got scolded. “It was corny.”
I smile at him, enjoying his obvious jealousy, then replay his words and frown. “Corny?” I ask. “How can my compliment be compared to mere starch?”
“Corn is a vegetable, dude.”
“I believe you’re mistaken,” I say kindly. “My researchindicated that corn was a starch consumed by many Earth-dwelling cultures.”
“Your research was wrong,” Luca snaps, wiping a drop of blood away from his nostril. “I’m not a fucking scientist, but I know for a fact it’s a vegetable. It grows on stalks.”
“It’s a starchy vegetable.” Celine sighs. “Both of you shut up about it. Please. We have more important things to worry about.”
“Of course,” I soothe her. “But in the interest of my continued erudition, perhaps you could explain... I remain unsure how my remark can be seen as food-related.”
Celine groans. “It’s slang. He’s saying it wasn’t original. Think... umm, banal or something.”
“Ah, that word I understand.” I glare at Luca and imagine plunging my sword into his belly. “He sought to insult me.”
Luca scoffs. “Where did you learn English that you picked up banal and skipped right over corny? William Shakespeare’s greatest hits?”
“I don’t think they call books greatest hits,” Celine mutters.
“I can’t take your word for that, baby.” Luca nudges her with his shoulder, carefully avoiding her jagged wing. “Anika says you aren’t smart.”
“That’s not fair!” Celine’s lips fall open in outrage. “To Anika, no one is smart.”
As they tease each other, strains of music and muffled voices spill into the alley. A door opens with a high-pitched whine. Someone laughs loudly. We’re approaching the Naked Fang. After lurking outside their workplace for weeks, the sounds are easy to recognize.
I’ve never been inside, though.
My stomach flips. I ignore it, taking the opportunity to observe Luca. His mouth and mind keep up with Celine while his eyes scan our surroundings as if someone might jump out and snap his neck at any moment.
I hum under my breath, satisfied. My training is working.
As we approach the back entrance of the club, Celine levels me with a serious look. “Stay here. I’m grabbing my bag and keys, and then I’ll be right out. Also, stow the wings. I don’t want to have to explain...” She waves her hand at me as if I’m a problem she doesn’t have the words to describe.
Gritting my teeth, I absorb my wings. Her frustration with me stings. “Anything you need,” I tell her.
I’m sincere, but my words trouble Celine. She pushes through the door stiffly, leaving me behind. Again.
I’m here to win her back, yet it seems My Truth has no interest in being won.
By the time Celine unlocks her apartment, my nerves are buzzing. Riding on the back of her bike was almost as exhilarating as flying. The humming engine, her warm curves pressed against mine... I never wanted it to end.
“Get comfortable, baby. I’ll make a snack.” Luca hangs his car keys on the hook as Celine stows her helmet. His pet name for her sets my teeth on edge. It’s infantilizing. Celine is powerful, not a toddler stumbling over her own feet.
Celine glances between us as if she’s weighing the odds of us coming to blows while she changes clothes, then nods and heads down the hall. The bedroom door closes behind her.
Luca studies me until the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. “Should I worry about vengeance?” I ask, returning his gaze steadily, determined to remain calm.
“She’s been through a lot?—”
“You think I don’t know that?” I hiss, losing my temper even though I vowed to myself I wouldn’t. He speaks of her with such familiarity; it makes my insides churn. All the time I’velost with her has been his gain, and he’s grinding my face in the sacrifice.
“I don’t have a fucking clue what you know, but tonight was bad. She’s hurting. She’ll hide it; she always does. If you stomp on her feelings, though, I’ll have no choice but to?—”
“Kill me?” I scoff. “Howcorny.”
