Page 74 of Vervain

Serun’s focus lowers to my mouth, then darts away. “It is getting late. Would you like to rest, or be distracted?”

“Distracted. Though you say it as if I am a dog to be rewarded, nightwalker,” I mutter.

He tilts his head to the side, and a smirk settles on his face. “Very well. I also want this distraction. I enjoy your company, even if it is as simple as a board game, like last time.”

I lean into him, my body against his, and the shadows wrap comfortingly around me. I’m greedy, hovering between wanting it all with him, and knowing I'll do whatever Cole wants to do when we are reunited.

“What do you have in mind tonight?” His mouth draws closer to mine, and it’s all I can see. It’s all I want to see, and I lean further in, waiting for him to make the next move.

Serun’s hands tighten on mine. One move and he can close the gap between us. Pearly red eyes lower to my mouth, then to my throat. My shoulders stiffen slightly as I remember his fangs sinking into my skin and drinking from me. Tasting my memories.

“Your lust is very distracting.”

“Then do something about it.”

He sighs sharply, red eyes dilating. One moment I’m on my feet, and the next I’m thrown over Serun’s shoulder, my hands pressing against his broad back muscles. “Do you want to die a slow death?” I say, the magik in my bones heating as I imagine squishing this nightwalker like a bug beneath my boot.

Serun laughs deeply, and it’s enough for my anger to waver. “I’m already dead. But do indulge me. I enjoy slow torture. What would you do?”

I duck closer to Serun as he strides out into the manor. His arm wraps across the bend in my knees while his other hand grips my hip, close to grabbing my arse.

“There is no point in telling you.” I accept my fate slung over his shoulder and relax into it. “It is better if you don’t know until I do it.”

“Then I will wait until you try to kill me again.” Serun makes his way up the stairs. “Though I doubt you will. Not until I fuck you first,” he laughs.

He. Laughs.

With a long sigh, I shake off his teasing, reminded of the true reason I don’t want to kill him anymore. “Will the Undercity be safe for Cole and me? The slayers truly can’t enter?”

His hand squeezes my thigh. “Our laws prohibit slayers from crossing our borders. So, they would have to travel by sea to try. And even then, slayers don’t like the water. They fear the monster living in there.”

“The one we saw on the train?”

“Yes.”

I grip his shirt, my ears pricked as he turns down an unfamiliar corridor. “Are you afraid of any monsters?”

“Yes.” His thumb strokes back and forth. “The one who harmed your brother.”

“Pardon?” My hands tighten as his shadows ripple with agitation.

“Here we are.” Leaning to see past him, I catch Penumbra pushing open a set of double doors, and I smile when they bow, a shadow speech bubble appearing upside down, telling me to enjoy.

Serun enters the darkness, and it swallows us both.

Inside, his grip slackens as he slides me down the front of his body until I am on my feet. With my hands resting on his chest, I scan the darkness around us, waiting for the edges to sharpen. Before they can, a light snaps on with the rattling clank of a sturdy switch. I wince at the flood of light after loving the shadows.

“What…” Words become mere letters, falling apart before they can leave my mouth. This time, it’s not from the bite of pain, or when I was tasting the soil when my Blessed pinned me to the ground. My heart doesn’t clench with fear, nor does stress sweat slip down my forehead. My heart speeds up, but it’s light. A flutter, like butterfly wings kissing with each beat.

Letting go of Serun, I press my feet against sprung hardwood and make my way into the centre of the ballet studio. Mirrors span the walls and ceiling, with ballet barres along one side, and in the corner, pointe shoes hang from their ribbons beside a mannequin in a glass box wearing tights and a leotard.

My ears bend back when I touch the barres, and I grit my teeth to hide the emotions that want to make my brow tremble.

“You dance ballet—or am I thinking of someone else?” Serun smirks when I look to him and smile, my eyes softening. However, the connection never lasts long. He quickly looks away from me and scans the room. “This is for you. A distraction if you wanted one without me.”

I gesture around the studio. “When did you do all of this?”

“I had time,” he says with a half-shrug of one shoulder.