Page 87 of Vervain

“Serun,” I snap. “Stop being so cruel.”

Olivia’s ears pull back, and she darts a look down to the ground. “Forgive me, Lord Serun. I only meant that I wanted to ride with Lady Saya.”

A low rumble vibrates in his throat, but he says nothing. Instead, he grabs my hand and lures me to the black motorcycle. Serun doesn’t like Olivia. I’ve known that since the night I demanded he not kill her. I’m certain he doesn’t like anyone aside from his family—and even then, it seems strained.

Serun straddles the motorcycle, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Go easy on her, Serun. She still has her humanity.”

“Of course,” he says, holding out his hand. “Let me help you on, darling.”

It went in one ear and out the other.

His eyes crinkle, clearly amused.

Serun guides me onto the motorcycle behind him. I struggle, not having been on one before, and when my body tips, I suck in a breath and lean forward, gripping him tightly. He chuckles and unlocks my frantic hands, lowering them around his waist. “Hold on to me here, my kamai. And if you fear the ride, close your eyes.”

Both arms wrap around him, grabbing his shirt at the front in an iron grip. I wiggle closer until my body presses against his back. “Do you know how to ride this thing?”

“As if it were my shadow,” he says, but it doesn’t ease my discomfort, because what does that mean, exactly?

“Just…promise you won’t crash,” I say breathlessly, the panic already getting to me.

He chuckles darkly. “I can’t do that—but I promise that if I do, you will be fine.”

“Perhaps we should walk.” My words come out thin.

His hand closes over mine, his thumb swiping across my knuckles. “Do you trust me?”

“No…” The word becomes clogged in my throat. “Somewhat,” I admit.

“Uh…Lord Serun, how do I hold on to a shadow?” Olivia squeaks from the back of the other motorcycle.

I lean to see her sitting bolt upright behind Penumbra, arms hanging awkwardly.

“Like any other,” Serun says dismissively. My legs squeeze around him, and he sighs. Penumbra immediately becomes more corporeal and is now wearing shadowed clothing for Olivia to grab hold of. “Hold on tight, my kamai. It will be bumpy until we get on the main road.”

“Olivia said there will be spikes…”

“We are nightwalkers. I will see one before we are close to it.”

Serun switches on the motorcycle, and it rumbles to life. My hold tightens, fingertips already aching, and I bury my head into his back and grip my legs around his hips as though I’m hoping we can meld together.

The bike moves, causing my entire body to tense as it tilts side to side.

I screw my eyes shut and leave my stomach behind us when the bike jolts forward.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

REMEMBRANCE

Saya Claymore

Motorcycles feel more reckless than cars. For one, the only thing I feared in the last car I travelled in were the two strangers in red cloaks taking me to a feeding ground. Being in the car didn’t bother me. With this contraption, it’s nip of wind, as well as Serun’s driving. He is daring. Carefree.

I still have my eyes closed, refusing to open them, but I feel everything. He tips the bike from left to right, slowing sometimes, only to speed up a moment later when the motorcycle straightens.

Olivia must be close, as I can hear her chanting, “Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me.”