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“Yeah, I got that.”
“Don’t worry, the brands will fade in time.”
Piper inwardly flinched, because yes, they’d fade … when his demon’s sexual interest switched to another woman. Which it inevitably would. She would actually see its interest in her wane as the marks gradually dimmed until they were gone.
Even with Levi’s warm body covering hers, she felt cold all of a sudden. She couldn’t regret their agreement. She couldn’t bring herself to wish away the delicious memories she now had. But fuck she hated that her need for him still lived and breathed inside her.
Knowing it was time to let him go, figuratively and literally, Piper let her hands slip away from his body. He stiffened for a moment, and she felt his mouth open against her neck as if he might say something. But then he slowly slid out of her and moved to kneel between her thighs, his gaze dropping down her body, settling first on her stomach and then on her inner thigh.
The brands.
She glanced down, and her brows flew up. Black with a faint shimmer, the tattoo-like marks were not at all what she’d expected. Each was a music score that had tiny skeleton heads mingled in with it. They were pretty yet they inexplicably made her stomach roll and a sense of unease skitter down her spine. “What’s with the music?”
He stared at her, his gaze giving nothing away. “It’s the death ballad.”
Piper went stiff as a board. “You’re joking.” It was a stunned whisper.
He shook his head and slipped off the bed. “No joke.”
Her entity barked a laugh, but Piper didn’t share its amusement. She snapped her legs closed and bolted upright. “Your demon made me a walking death note? Seriously?”
Levi winced, unsurprised by her anger. The ballad was no little thing. However … “It will only have a lethal effect on a person who means you harm and is a fully grown adult.”
They would feel compelled to hum the tune. Over. And over. And over. They wouldn’t pause to eat or sleep or drink. They would keep humming until they eventually died—usually of dehydration. Only reapers could snap a person out of their daze, just as only reapers could write the music score.
“That’s not the point, Levi. The ballad is essentially a death curse, and it’s now imprinted on my skin. In two places. And don’t act like this is purely a protective measure. The brand on my stomach mostly is, sure, but the one on my inner thigh? No. Your entity only put it there because it wants to repel anyone who tries to get between my legs.”
Well … yeah. Looking at the score could make a person feel nauseous and uneasy, whether or not they recognized it as the death ballad or were in any way a threat. “Like I said before, the brands will fade.” His demon snorted, certain no such thing would happen; that it would never let go of her on any level. “I’m sorry, Piper. It was an asshole thing for—”
“You don’t need to apologize, I’m not blaming you. I know you’d never do anything like this. But that damn entity of yours deserves a fucking bitch slap.”
That wasn’t something he could or would deny.
She let out a heavy sigh and thrust a hand through her hair. “I need to shower.”
Out of habit, Levi almost proposed they shower together. He gritted his teeth as he remembered that that was one of many other things they would no longer do. “You can use that one,” he said, tipping his chin toward the en suite. “I’ll use the main bathroom. You have some clothes in that drawer over there from when you last slept over.”
She gave a slow, awkward nod. “Okay. Thanks.”
They parted, showered, dressed, and soon after sat at his breakfast bar where they chomped down some cereal and made idle conversation. It was something they did pretty much every morning. Yet, this felt … different. Something was missing from their dynamics. Something warm and comfortable.
It made no real sense to him. It wasn’t like they usually cuddled, constantly touched each other, or invaded the other’s personal space. The only intimacy they’d lose was sexual, so everything should be as it usually was.
Only it wasn’t.
“Do you still want me to stay here until the danger has passed?” she asked.
“Of course,” replied Levi. “Why would you feel the need to double-check?”
She shrugged and looked down into her bowl.
“Piper, just because we’re not sleeping together anymore doesn’t mean I’ll ever be anything other than insanely overprotective of you. I want you here, where you’re safest. I’ve got a spare bedroom you can use.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I am sure.” He pushed his empty bowl aside. “Once you’re ready, I’ll drive you to your place so you can pack whatever stuff you need.” He paused as the intercom beeped. “Give me a second.” He left the kitchen and crossed to the small screen near his front door. Two figures waited on the doorstep of his building. “Piper, your mother and Joe are here.” He pressed the button that would open the main door for them.
