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Outside, the fresh air and freedom from the confined room of people was an instant balm for my mood.
I crossed the street to the Belfast Motel and spotted Charon perched on the rooftop of our massive SUV.
“Hey, Boo,” I greeted softly.
Grievous eyes locked onto me and he slightly lifted his ink-stained wings in greeting. Something twitched between his beak—a field mouse, I assumed.
I left him where he was and walked towards the room Trix and I had been placed in together. I knew if he flew off, he wouldn’t go far, and even on the chance he did, he’d find me again.
His ability to move freely was something I had never taken away. He was wild, not meant to be caged or tamed.
Digging the key-card from my back pocket, I opened the door and peered inside the darkened room.
Faint beams of moonlight streamed in behind me, bringing attention to the ugly green carpet
At the very back of the room was the usual sink and mirror combo. My reflection waited, preparing to judge me much harsher than any stranger could. It was unavoidable, just like the nightmares. Sooner or later, I would have to face both—but that wasn’t going to be tonight.
I looked at the two unmade beds. I wouldn’t be sleeping in either of them. I’d known that before I stepped foot out of the bar.
Needing to disappear before Trix showed up, I retraced my steps and pulled the door shut. I wasn’t sure where to go considering the hour and the fact that I had no idea what else was in this shitty town, but I couldn’t linger.
I decided to go left, walking beneath the paint-chipped awning that covered each doorway. A few feet ahead of me, one of the doors suddenly swung inward, and Maliki stepped out. Shirtless.
My combat boots came to an abrupt halt. I drank him in for half a second and then spun around to make a hasty retreat.
“Nyx?”
Shit.
His deep, gravelly voice had me slowing right back down.
I turned to face him, shoving my hands in my pockets so they wouldn’t dangle awkwardly at my sides.
“Hey,” I greeted casually.
“What are you doing?”
He started coming towards me, natural swagger radiating from his entire being.
I made an effort not to look any lower than the stubble on his face. It was a recent addition, but it fit him.
“Oh, I thought I would do a little sight-seeing.”
“Don’t be a smartass,” he reprimanded with a scowl.
“I’m going for a walk.”
“A walk?” His dark brows rose and he paused a few inches away from me.
I tilted my chin so I could look up at him, peering into eyes the color of deep sienna.
There was that familiar feeling, the one that caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise and my breathing to fluctuate.
As a result I glanced down and wound up taking a peek at his wall of abs, inconsequentially catching sight of the fresh bloodstains on his jeans.
Seeing his hands were free I belatedly realized not only was he not wearing a shirt, but that he must have left it behind in the motel room with the blonde.
“Yeah, a walk,” I reaffirmed, keeping my onslaught of questions to myself.
