“You’re the bleeder.” Aeson tilts her head to the side. “A Berserker, huh?” She eyes him openly with mistrust. Eventually, she moves on. “You must be the Nemean.” She jerks her chin at Calix, but purposefully ignores Grim.
“In the flesh,” Calix answers cheekily.
“Do you know what happens to Berserkers and Nemeans that cross Brownies?” Aeson stands tall, even though they have to look down to see her. Before anyone can answer, she does. “They die, just like anything else that gets on my bad side. You feel me?”
I click my tongue and smile. “Isn’t she the best?” I grin at the guys, having gotten her meaning right away. She’s threatening them for me.
Aeson sighs as a little weariness comes over her features. “I knew you guys couldn’t stay away forever. Some of you never did.” She cocks up one eyebrow at Grim.
“Mind your own business, Brownie,” Grim mumbles, sulking.
“You sound like a two-year-old,” Aeson points out.
Calix snorts but covers it with a cough. “Why don’t we get out of here?” he suggests instead.
“I’m not up for a quick transport.” Aeson lifts her hands.
“I have Betty. You can ride with me.”
“I’ll catch a ride with you, too.” Calix tips his chin up. “I’m sure these two can manage to get home on their own,” he adds.
“Is teleportation envy a real thing like dick envy is? I’m really feeling a bit left out at the moment.” I pose my question to Aeson as we start walking back toward the entrance.
“No need to envy a dick, I have one ready to use,” Grim pipes up, completely serious.
Aeson and I both stop and look at each other before I start cracking up. “He’s a horny motherfucker.” I giggle.
“Him?” Aeson looks back at Grim and starts shaking her head in disbelief. “He’s like asexual or something, everyone knows that.” Her eyes travel over Grim. “Such a damn waste too. Why do you think I’ve been trying to get you to fuck so many people? I knew he would show up soon enough, and your pussy would shrivel up and die.”
I erupt in laughter again. “Maybe he was, but not anymore. I gave him a little of the good stuff.” I scrunch up my nose and point down, not that anyone would be confused about what I’m talking about.
“Well, hot damn! That’s a story I need to hear.” Aeson resumes walking a little slower than her usual pace. I keep my strides unhurried as well. “What about the others?” She peers over her shoulder, assessing the guys. Calix and Gunnar each wear a sour expression.
“I’ll tell you later; I haven’t gotten to sample them yet.” I snicker and push the heavy door open. Betty is parked right where I left her, under the single light angled down from one of the surrounding warehouses.
“What the hell are you waiting for?” Aeson moves around me and climbs into my car. I know better than to offer my help because she would see it as a sign of weakness, so I pretend to think about my answer, looking up at the sky.
“They wanted commitment-type shit. You know that gives me hives.” I shudder. I don’t even care that the guys are listening to every word I’m saying.
“Dami…” Aeson smiles over at me after climbing on the center consul. “That shit is happening whether you accept it or not. I say fuck them and enjoy every second.” Her eyes close slowly as she lets out a heavy sigh.
“Yeah, I think I’ll have a hard time ditching them at this point. I mean, they know where I live.” I’m only joking and, as fucked up as it is, I actually like having them around.
Calix slides into the passenger seat and Grim steps into the space between my open door and leans down. “Head straight home,” he commands, to which I raise an eyebrow.
“We’ll be waiting, unless you want me to follow you the entire way.” Grim raises his brow, challenging me right back.
“I will, but only because I was anyway,” I scoff.
“Good, see you soon.” He stands and adjusts his dick in his pants and, because the car is so low, it’s right in my face. Aeson lets out a tinkling laugh, and it brightens my soul.
I slam the door when he steps out of the way, shaking my head at him while rolling my eyes. “He needs to get that dick of his under control.”
“Or you do,” Aeson quips, chuckling.
“That works for me too.” I snicker with her. “Let’s head home.”
“You have no idea.” Aeson leans her head back and shuts her eyes as we pull away from the warehouses. Her head lands on my shoulder within the first five minutes of the drive. She lets out a soft snore, telling me how deeply she’s sleeping. A sense of pride comes over me. To fall asleep like this, she must trust Calix and me to take care of her and not hurt her. Otherwise, she’s been awake the entire time she’s been missing and she’s just too exhausted to fight it anymore.
