AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Devyn
Idon’t remember falling asleep, but despite trying to claw my way to consciousness, exhaustion continually drags me under. My limbs each weigh a hundred pounds, and moving is nearly impossible, but I can wiggle my fingers across my comforter.
I don’t remember it ever being so soft.
Fevered images haunt my thoughts as I try to fight sleep, and I can’t distinguish between dreams and memories. Maybe they’re all dreams, and Azarius and Elio were merely images conjured by my imagination.
Their handsome faces fade in and out of view.
A giant red monster chases me, and I move my legs as fast as I can, but it doesn’t seem to get me anywhere.
Cara is hanging up missing person signs on every storefront in Atlanta, and they all have my face on them.
After what feels like a lifetime worth of dreams, I wake in a cold sweat and pry my eyes open painfully. I expect to find myself staring up at the popcorn ceiling of my bedroom at home, but I’m greeted by a sleek black ceiling with a silver chandelier, and my heart plummets.
Where am I?
I try to sit up, but my limbs are restrained.
No, not restrained. Just drained of any strength, and I’m unable to move.
Fucking fantastic.
A door to my left swings open, sending my heart crashing against my ribs, and I look over in time to see Azarius step inside. The last time I saw him, he was butt naked and covered in blood, but now he’s dressed in black pants and a loose-fitting T-shirt. The black markings on his skin dance up his arms and disappear beneath his sleeves, and his chalk-white tail curls along behind him.
Our eyes meet, and the corner of his mouth flicks upward.
How is it possible for a monster to be so attractive?
“You’re alive,” he says, sounding mildly surprised.
“Yep.” My throat is dry, and my voice comes out in a croak. “Barely, I guess. Where am I?”
His smirk widens into a grin. “We’re at Rafe’s place, and you’re in my bed.” He waits a beat before asking, “Did you know you talk in your sleep?”
My eyes widen as heat singes my cheeks. Considering he and Elio were both in my dreams, it’s probably best that I not ask what was said. I can’t be embarrassed if I remain blissfully unaware.
“How long was I out?” I ask, eager to change the subject. If they had time to bring me here, I must have been out for at least an hour or two.
Az cocks his head to the side. “I’d say sixteen hours or so.”
“S-sixteen?” I look down at my body frantically, checking how severe my injuries are, and even though the comforter is pulled up to my arm pits, I instantly realize I’m naked. My blood boils. “Where the fuck are my clothes?”
Azarius steps closer to the bedside and drops his voice. “The smell of your human blood was getting to be a bit much, so we burned them.”
“Youwhat?” I glare at him in disbelief. If he comes any closer, I’ll muster ever ounce of strength I have to slap him.
“Don’t worry, Devyn, we’re not going to make you prance around naked. We have clothes for you to wear,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “When you’re feeling up to it, you can bathe and get dressed.”
“I feel fine,” I assure him and throw back the blanket. The cool air prickles across my skin, making my nipples hard, but I push away my embarrassment. After all, they had to see me naked to get my clothes off. What’s the point in worrying now?
When I attempt to sit up, my head swims, and I blow out a frustrated breath. Why am I so weak? I know the portal and being attacked were draining, but I can barely function. In a flash, Azarius is there, gently helping me into a sitting position and guiding my legs off the side of the bed.
“I don’t need your help,” I grumble.
He chuckles softly. “Sure, you don’t. Here, I almost forgot. Eat this.”
From his pocket, he retrieves a wadded-up paper towel, and when he unfolds it, there is a lumpy brown sphere sitting in the palm of his hand. I poke at it with a finger and grimace when the surface gives under my touch.
