Page 99 of Fang Fatale

Birdie squeezes my hand.

"I'm not afraid of you."

I smile.

"Never wanted you to be."

She studies me for another moment before asking, perfectly seriously,

"Are you going to eat me?"

"I haven't ruled it out."

She laughs.

Sharp.

Warm.

Relieved.

Behind us, Dandy makes an exaggerated gagging noise.

"You two are exhausting."

"We get that a lot," Birdie says.

Then she looks at me.

This time there isn't a trace of uncertainty in her expression.

"Take me home."

I don't trust myself to answer.

I simply lace my fingers through hers and start walking.

Halfway back to Blackthorn, she asks, "Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Being alive."

I think about it.

"Sometimes. Mostly at breakfast."

"That's fair."

She smiles to herself before adding, "I always thought you'd taste like hate or regret."

"And?"

"You don't."

"What do I taste like?"

She pretends to consider it.