Page 55 of Vervain

“You”—hairs prickle across the nape of my neck at the sound of the voice—“are a creepy fucking stalker, watching my brother from the shadows like that.”

Hopping down the last step, I whirl around to Lucifer as he descends with a deep grimace on his face, narrowed eyes, and the same look of irritation he has whenever he sees me.

“What are you doing here?” I demand.

Lucifer rolls his eyes until they settle on Serun. I follow his gaze over to the room, my brows furrowing at the now closed book on the sofa, Serun nowhere to be seen. Then, ice crawls behind me, and I touch where he bit me, turning to find him standing beside me. Shadows crawl across his shoulders, rippling with agitation.

“Evening, brother,” Serun drawls. “Maeve said you wanted a new weapon. I didn’t think you cared for fighting anymore.”

Unfriendly eyes snap to me. “I may need it if the slayers find out you have a daywalker and start hunting.”

I pick at the skin around my fingernails and bite the inside corner of my lip.

“Our borders are secure.”

“Have you spoken to Zack recently, or is this an assumption that slayers still fear you enough not to cross?”

“If you are concerned, you can travel to Skulire and speak with him. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the company.”

Lucifer curls his lip. “Your rat bit me last time.” Then he suddenly waves away the conversation and makes his way to the room Serun was reading in. “Entertain your consort. I will wait until you are alone so we can speak privately.”

My lip curls, and some choice words start to worm up my throat, but before I can speak, Serun takes my hand, towing me up the stairs. “Are you hungry?” he asks coolly.

A little dazed, I look at the back of Serun’s head, then to his hand now entwined with mine. How did it become so casual for me to accept this intimacy? Even when I was frustrated with him, I allowed him to hold my hand and guide me through the Undercity.

“Somewhat,” I admit, my stomach grumbling. “But…I don’t particularly like the food Reyes got from the feeding ground.”

“There are human food stores in the Undercity. After I am done with Lucifer, I can get something for you,” he says, glancing back at me as we round the bend into the familiar corridor. “Problem?”

“I’m feeling trapped again…” My hand slackens in his, and we pause in front of the door to the office. “This manor of yours reminds me of the feeding ground. I am stuck in here, haunting this place like a ghost. It’s…frustrating, when all I have ever wanted is freedom.”

Serun’s focus moves from my eyes to my mouth, then to my neck, before looking away. “A date, then?”

“A…date?”

Facing me, he inclines his head, shadows dripping like acid from his shoulders to the ground. “After I deal with my brother, let me show you the Undercity. It will be better than you watching me from afar, too afraid to speak to the man you kissed.” His fingers pinch a lock of my hair, weaving it through his fingertips. “As amused as I am by your hesitance, I’d rather have your company than your shadow.”

“I’ve never been on a date before.”

“I know. I saw.”

My tongue curls across my upper lip, and then I sigh. “Speak to Lucifer while I think on it, nightwalker.”

“Nightwalker…” he chuckles as he steps aside and opens the door for me. “Take your time, kamai.”

As he makes his way down the corridor, Serun slightly turns his head as he passes the painting, his ear flicking before he straightens and moves out of sight. A long sigh escapes me, and I pinch the bridge of my nose to rid myself of a sudden thumping headache at the thought of a date with a nightwalker.

Worry about it tomorrow.

For now, I’ll focus on practising what Serun taught me about my magik and keep trying to control my glamour. I need to become stronger.

For Cole.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

POLYDIPSIA

Saya Claymore