“Now, instead of thinking of your aura as a shield to protect you, think of it as a screen that allows things that don’t belong to pass through.”
In my mind, I imagine what that would look like, and the shift happens almost immediately. The green invader pushes past my mostly grayish blue field, and once it’s through the barrier, it almost explodes as it expands into millions of tiny pinpricks until I can’t see any of the green any longer.
Grim lets out a little sound of approval. I turn my attention to the orange glob near my feet and catch a glimpse of the small, yellow blip again, but nothing about it feels wrong or intrusive. Instead, it makes me feel almost happy, but I can’t explain why.
Without any prompting from me, the orange slowly ebbs away from my aura and disappears almost immediately the moment it’s free.
“Perfect.” Grim’s voice draws my attention, and I open my mouth to tell him that wasn’t so hard, but I’m snapped back into my body and I end up mumbling some sort of nonsensical syllables. I sway like I just got off a carnival ride, and a laugh erupts from my gut. A giddy feeling of euphoria fills me, and I launch myself at Grim.
He catches me against his chest with ease, and his chin tips down so I get the most perfect view of his gray eyes as little flames of fire flicker to life. “Thanks, Loverboy,” I murmur, as the laughter dies and a new emotion blossoms to life. I’ve never had anyone to rely on—well, I didn’t know I had anyone to rely on. Turns out Grim has been with me from the beginning.
I curl my arms around his torso and nuzzle my cheek against his soft shirt. “I already feel better, thank you.” Instead of speaking, Grim gently places his arms around me and strokes my hair.
Not that long ago, this kind of touch would have made me very uncomfortable. I would have hidden my feelings behind my sexuality and just tried to fuck him. I’m not saying being this close to Grim doesn’t make me want to jump his bones like a greedy trollop, but there’s something really special about just letting him or the others hold me.
“Food’s ready!” Gunnar bellows from the bottom of the stairs.
“Do you think they heard him back at the mansion?” I tease, while pulling back from Grim.
“Doubtful, but not from lack of effort,” he deadpans.
Standing, I reach down and offer Grim my hand. He accepts it but doesn’t pull against me to rise. “Did you just make a joke?”
“Did you think it was funny?”
“I did, but I’m pretty easy to impress.” We walk out of the room hand and hand. I decide I’d much rather sleep in there than in Kim’s bed. She probably has some reverse succubus powers that would sap my lust for sex, or worse, the guys’. I don’t think I could go back to Buzz and still be satisfied after knowing what it’s like to let someone actually know my body, what I like, and what drives me crazy.
“Then yes, I was jesting,” Grim responds, not realizing my thoughts have already wandered elsewhere. He places my hand on his bent arm and escorts me down the stairs like a debutant at her debut. I love every second of it.
The smell of food hits me and my stomach doesn’t revolt at the thought. My mouth doesn’t immediately start to water like it did with the soup, but I’m definitely intrigued. I note the three plates already filled on the table as Grim guides me over. I’m not offended they aren’t offering me any; I’m sure they think I ate the soup just to encourage Torin to eat.
Grim pulls out my chair before taking a seat himself. I lean over and smell the food on Calix’s plate. “What do you have there?”
“Pancakes. I found some chocolate chips,” Calix singsongs. “Want a bite?” I know he’s only offering to be considerate, or from habit, but I nod my head.
“You do?” Gunnar drops his fork, surprised by my response.
I place my hand low on my stomach. “I think I still feel kind of hungry.”
“Did you help her get rid of the souls?” Calix’s brow furrows.
“Yes, she did remarkably well.” Grim picks up his silverware and holds them as if he’s been trained in fine manners.
“Well then, feed her. She’s hungry,” Gunnar demands, scowling at Grim, assuming I want my normal fare of sins.
“I believe she said she wanted the bite he offered.” He points at Calix, using his butter knife. It shouldn’t be threatening, but it somehow is.
“Wait, you were serious?” Calix looks around like he’s expecting one of us to say, ‘just kidding.’
Feeling slightly self-conscious, I give a half shrug. “Yeah, maybe being around you guys eating all the time is making food more tolerable.” As a child, I always thought being made to eat was a form of punishment because I would always get sick after. “Or maybe…” I pause to sort the thoughts streaming through my mind. “I don’t know, Grim said I should have been born normal.” I give a small, self-deprecating laugh. “Maybe that’s what this is. Me being normal.”
Neither of the explanations makes a lot of sense, but I don’t have any other theories just yet. Hell, who knows? This is probably all some sort of a fluke. Holding on to the souls for so long and not being able to consume sins just confused the hell out of my body, so it’s looking for sustenance anywhere it can get it.
Calix scoots his entire plate and his chair closer to me. Using just the fork, he cuts into the thick pancake, taking a small piece off the corner and offering me the morsel. Without hesitating, I lean over and take the bite. The syrup drips down my chin then lands on my shirt. “Great,” I mumble around the super sweet tidbit.
“Well?” Gunnar is leaning over the table, waiting for some kind of reaction from me. The thought of swallowing doesn’t make me want to puke, so I do. “How is it?” he asks impatiently.
“Really sweet, but good.” I lift my hand, but Calix catches me before I can wipe my face. He licks the pad of his thumb and runs it under my chin, taking the sticky syrup, and then he pops his thumb into his mouth, sucking it clean.
