Page 61 of The Slayer Seduction

Last night was different. The Slayer is absolutely terrified.

He’s playing it down for Iris and it has me scared shitless.

I couldn’t just be possessed by an ancient blood-thirsty weirdo who’s mated to the world’s hottest witch. At least that would feel like a severance for everything I’ve had to go through. No, now there’s a new big bad, and the Slayer is actually afraid.

I’ve seen him kill plenty of vampires and not once has he had an inkling of doubt. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re after Iris or if he’s unsure if he can win.

Iris didn’t ask for any of this, and yet, she’s the target. There’s also a deep sadness for all the other humans who have been used as vessels for the slayers. The witch didn’t want to say the words, but all of us know what needs to be done. We need to kill the slayers and make sure they can never be brought back Earth-side again. I’m not sure what life looks like after that, but if we don’t, there’s a good chance I’m dead and an even worse chance that Iris is going to suffer.

I can’t let that happen. I know what I have to do, and the idea sickens me, but it’s the only solid lead we have.

“We need to find out which families are tied to the spell books. It mentioned generational fortune. We find the families, we know who the slayers are, and we get the books to destroy,” I tell the Slayer, and he sighs.

Iris is passed out and I’m grateful as the Slayer speaks to me.

“This will not be easy. They are vicious killers, and they won’t give up. They could have told my secret to even more slayers. I’ve finally found my mate and they all want what I have. She doesn’t deserve this.”

He’s defeated, not even making fun of me for being annoying or saying that it’s a bad idea.

“So, what are you just going to give up? You sound like a real fucking bitch right now.”

“I know.”

“You need to get it together, Slayer. We’re all in this together, whether we like it or not. If you won’t stand up and do something about it, I’ll figure out a way to take my body back and do it myself.”

We run a hand down our face.

“We’re outnumbered.”

“Then we’ll need to get some bigger numbers,” I suggest and the Slayer groans, hating the idea completely.

“We’ll figure out what we’re looking for and we’ll come back to that idea as a worst-case scenario.”

I’m not too keen on the idea of working with the vampires either, but if that’s what we have to do, then it’s what will need to be done.

Exhaustion floods my system and sleep blessedly takes over. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let these motherfuckers win.

The sun and street noise trickle into my apartment and for one blissfully long moment it’s almost like I’m back to my normal life.

But as I glance down, feeling the weight on my arm that’s Iris, I’m brought to present day. She’s the one good thing that’s come out of this entire ordeal and guilt hits me for even hoping that my life was back to normal.

The Slayer is still retreated, his presence more calm and quiet than it’s ever been. It’s nice, and equally terrifying all the same. I’m not sure if it’s his own guilt or his fear that has him hiding away, but I can be the strong one now. As much as I don’t want to work with him, share a body with him, and deal with this endless stream of bullshit, I don’t have any other choice.

The sooner I accept my fate, the sooner I can figure out what my new normal is, no matter what that looks like. If Iris is part of that new life, well, I consider myself fortunate.

I wasn’t someone who kept close friends, or had serious relationships, and I don’t think I ever realized how badly I was yearning for that connection, either. It’s nice having someone give a shit about you, and I care just as much about Iris. These vampire slayers are after us all, and we’ve got to figure something out fast.

Gently, I maneuver my arm, leaving Iris resting on the bed as I grab my laptop. I’m going to blame it on the high stake situation and not having done research in months, but I Google vampire slayer and of course the first hits are all about movies and mainstream media.

Where the hell do we even start?

Iris turns in her sleep, her long twists falling around her face as she scrunches her nose and blinks open her eyes. “Hey.”

“Morning,” I reply, shutting the laptop.

She bunches the blanket in her fists and moves her body so that her back is perched against the headboard. She looks at me inquisitively and I answer her question before she even gets the chance to ask.

“He’s processing? Sleeping? I’m not sure. Coffee?”