Page 48 of The Slayer Seduction

“The book will need to be destroyed either way, but there’s no getting rid of me unless you plan on killing me yourself and killing Adam in the process.”

“Will you wait a second and let me explain?” I ask him, trying to figure out how I can truly explain what my original plan was but that I’d changed my mind.

He backs away from me, going around me to the bathroom, where he slams the door so hard it makes me jump.

Scarlett looks up at me with wide eyes.

“Well, that didn’t go great. I’ll go check on him,” she says, trotting along the floor and scratching against the bathroom door. Shockingly, he cracks the door open, letting my familiar in before shutting the door again.

“Shit,” I hiss out, gingerly closing the book and placing it on one of my higher shelves.

I’m not sure what part of the whole situation has me more upset. The fact that I stole this book, and it’s basically useless, that Adam wants to totally give up, or that the Slayer is upset with me. This is all some sort of tragic fucked-up mess.

The Slayer doesn’t leave the bathroom, so I use the sink to wash up and get dressed for the day. It’s an hour later, and he still hasn’t left, but Scarlett does.

“Is he alright?” I ask her and my familiar looks at me like she’s also displeased with my behavior. Never once has Scarlett ever been upset with me.

“You’ve hurt his feelings. You know, he’s very delicate.”

“You’re taking his side?”

“Sit, please,” she says, and for whatever reason, I do, taking a seat at the table as she jumps up, jostling a few puzzle pieces. “Now, you know that you’re my favorite person and that will never change, and that’s also why I must be completely honest with you.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt him. I’m so confused between what’s this mate connection and what’s real and I’ve never felt some of these feelings before and it’s all so confusing and I just want to please everyone,” I blurt it all out.

Scarlett sighs and nudges my head with her own. “Becoming a witch’s familiar is out of our hands, did you know that?”

My brows furrow, wondering where she’s going with this. “The magic connects the right witch with the right familiar.”

Scarlett turns her head. “Something like that, but neither of us has a choice. We’re bound by magic that we don’t fully understand, but nonetheless we’re bonded. You’re my best friend and I would do anything for you. Would you do the same for me?”

“You know I would,” I say fiercely, I love her so much and I’d protect her with my life.

“Then what makes the magic between you and the Slayer so different? We’re both predators. We were both brought to you by forces we can’t understand. I know change is hard for you, but it’s hard for him as well. It’s okay to not have all the answers, it’s also okay to let emotions not logic lead you sometimes. Explain to him your reasoning and give this a chance, Iris. You both deserve happiness.”

She leaves me with those words, leaving the apartment likely to hunt.

Worst part? I think she’s right.

It’s been hours, and he still hasn’t left the bathroom. With every minute, I feel worse about what I’ve done.

He read right through my bullshit, and he barely even called me out on it. Instead, he walked away and locked himself in the bathroom. There were no hurled insults. He didn’t want to hurt me…no; it was me who hurt him.

I tap on the bathroom door with an "I’m sorry” sandwich on a plate.

“Slayer, are you hungry?” He doesn’t answer and I tap again. “Slayer, please open the door.”

“I don’t want to,” he says through the door and I sigh.

“I have a sandwich for you.”

“Do not care.”

“At least the book isn’t in the wrong hands now and we can figure out how to destroy it.”

He doesn’t respond again and I slide down against the wall, placing the plated remorse sandwich on the floor next to me.

“You’re right. I got the book so that I could figure out a way to separate you and Adam, at least that’s what I planned at first. I thought by doing that I could solve everyone’s problems. Adam could go back to normal, some ancestral curse wouldn’t tether me to someone I don’t even know, and Ember could be with her mate. I changed my mind before I got the book. I knew I couldn’t send you there, if that means anything. I treated you unfairly, and I’m sorry, Slayer. You didn’t do anything wrong to me, you’ve been nothing but patient. I might not agree with what you do to vampires but I know it’s not your fault. I know what’s happening to Adam isn’t your fault either. So, I’m sorry I judged you and that I tried to get rid of you. It won’t ever happen again.”