Page 45 of Fighting My Demons

“Hey, baby,” Xavier says, smiling sadly, when I feel Latham’s blood move across my tongue and down my throat.

I swallow the metallic-tasting liquid. It doesn’t taste like blood; the more I swallow, the more it changes to an oaky, smoky flavor. It tastes the way wood burning smells. Burning embers.

I feel my strength coming back, my feeling coming back, and I no longer feel heavy. My throat no longer aches, and I touch my throat with my fingers.

“I’m sorry, Arabella,” Latham whispers.

My real name on his tongue sounds exotic, and I find it soothing. For so long, I have been someone I am not. As terrifying as it is that he’s figured it out, it is also as if a weight has lifted, and I can breathe and be me again.

“Arabella Loiuse Maxiouris,” I whisper.

A name I haven't said in so long, and one I thought I would never say again.

Blaine kneels next to me, and I see a glass of water in his hands. He hands it to me, my fingers wrapping around the cold glass, and I lean forward off Latham's chest. Condensation grips the glass held in my fingers. I sip the icy water, not realizing how thirsty I am, before sculling the entire glass. Blaine smiles while taking it when I am done.

“Better?” he asks, and I nod, slumping back against Latham.

“How did you know what we were? When you look at Latham, most assume vampires when they catch a glimpse of us,” Xavier asks.

My heart skips a beat at knowing what they are.

“Don’t fear us. Please, Bella. You can hate us but don’t fear us. Don’t be scared. We don’t want to hurt you, but if you show fear, we have trouble controlling it,” Latham says.

“You really suck at pep talks. Don’t become a motivational speaker or anything, geez. Tell me not to fear you because you will kill me. Ah, not the best thing to say to someone when you are trying to convince them not to be scared of you,” I tell him, shaking my head.

“Then fear us. Reverse psychology.” Xavier smirks.

“Don’t think it works like that?” I tell him. My lips tug up slightly when he cups my cheek with his warm hand.

“We want you, we don’t want to hurt you, and I am sorry I couldn't control it. You overwhelmed me,” Xavier says before his eyes dart to Latham.

“It isn't your fault, Xavier. We underestimated her fear,” Latham says.

“What do you mean, underestimated it?” I ask, looking at Latham.

“All demons are different. We have triggers. Everyone is different in what they draw on mostly. Usually, arousal is what most demons crave because it is sweet and easy to induce. Our triggers are when we are most dangerous, if that makes sense. I have more control of my magic than both Blaine and Xavier. Yet I have barely any control over my urges when it comes to my triggers,” Latham says.

“What’s your trigger?” I ask Xavier.

“Arousal. So is Blaine’s. It's the most common and easily manipulated without hurting each other to get it,” Xavier explains.

“And yours is fear?” I ask Latham.

“Yes, fear and anger I react to strongest. Arousal I can sort of control and keep my wits, but fear I thrive on. Xavier and Blaine aren’t usually reactive to fear; their personalities don’t hunger for it. But your fear was extremely potent. I have seen them lose themselves in each other, but never lose control over a trigger,” Latham says, and Xavier’s hand falls on my thigh.

“You never answered my question. How did you know what we are?”

I stare at the wall and chew my lip.

Blaine grips my chin, turning my face toward his. “We won’t hurt you, we won’t tell your secrets. They are safe with us,” he says before leaning forward and pressing his lips to mine. Arousal floods me, and he smirks.

“Are you using magic on me?” I ask him.

His eyes darken and flicker. “No, that’s your own arousal, nothing to do with us.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, not believing him. They’ve all just tried to kill me two seconds ago.

“Promise, Bella. We wouldn’t do that just to have sex with you. I like my partners willing,” Blaine says, and I let out a breath.