Chapter 17
“Are
you
the one responsible for Matt’s injury?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I’d intended. The pieces had fallen into place, and Deric was the only explanation that made sense. Why else would both of them be in the forest, bloodied and bruised Deric bore scratches and claw marks across his face, but they paled compared to Marr’s injuries. If they’d fought, the victor was clear. But why would a vampire and an incubus fight‘ They rarely interacted, even in school. Creatures stuck to their own kind.
neone else?” Deric smirked, stepping closer. His predatory aura made me want to step back, but I stood my ground.
“Why are you worried about someone refusing to show fear.
“You should be worried about yourself, like Red. Even if you scream, no one will hear you,”
“You can’t do shit!” I snapped, my voice firm despite my hammering heart. If you were responsible for Matt. I’ll call the police.
“Feisty,” he chuckled, dark amusement flickering in his eyes. “But un
unnecessary. Call them, and nothing will come of it. Tell me, so nicely! A date!”
why are you dressed
His mocking tone made my skin crawl. The last time I’d encountered Deric, he’d manhandled me like I was nothing. I’d prayed I’d never see him again. And now here he was, dragging up things I wanted buried.
“I wonder what Silas would think of that. This is interesting
“What does that even mean!”
“Little Red, he purred, suddenly in front of me. I yelped, stumbling back as his smirk widened. “Haven’t you figured it out Silas, is in love with you Why else would he care so much?”
“Of course he loves me. He’s my brother”
“You’re truly dense if you think that’s the kind of love he feels. His voice turned cold. “But I won’t waste my
y time convincing you. Co ask him yourself
“What does any of this have to do with you?”
“Nothing” he said with a dismissive shrug “I just enjoy the show. See you around, bule
– Red”
Before 1 could respond, be vanished. I stood there, shaken. His words refused to leave my mind. Could Silas really feel that way about me! It sounded absurd, but Deric’s certainty unnerved me. Did Silas and Deric know each other? Their connection raised more questions than answers.
I didn’t have time to dwell.
“Shit! I forgot to call 911, I cursed, fumbling for my phone. Finding service, I reported the incident and hurried back to Carter and Mait
“What took so long?” Carter asked, concern lacing his tone.
“It took a while to get a signal,” I lied, though I wasn’t sure why. Matt might not want anyone else knowing the truth. A fight between different species wasn’t a small matter, especially with the government pushing for peace. Violence threatened the fragile trust between species, and jail time was a real possibility.
“Matt, are you okay?” I asked, noting how quickly his wounds were healing. Incubi recovered faster than humans, but even this seemed miraculous.
“Feeling better already” Matt replied, his gaze unreadable.
“You look stunning today,” he added unexpectedly, his voice oddly soft,
Carter and I exchanged confused looks.
To this a date!”
“Actually, it was,” Carter
Carter snapped, “until you ruined it,”
“Carter!” I admonished, though Matt didn’t seem fazed. If anything, he looked smug. His gaze lingered on me, and an unspoken tension passed between the two boys, I shook ti að
Boys would be boys.
We waited in strained silence until the police arrived
Chapter 17
At the hospital, Matt barely needed medical attention. By the time we arrived, he’d almost fully healed. The issue wasn’t his injuries–it was his refusal to answer questions
“He’s dangerous,” one officer said. “If someone like that is out there-
“It’s nothing serious,” Mau interrupted smoothly. Just a fight with a friend.
- id. No need to involve the police
The officers reluctantly let it go. Once we were alone in the lounge, I turned to Mart.
“Are you seriously not going to tell them what happened!”
“Why should I? People fight all the time.
“Not like this. He nearly maimed you”
“You met him,” Matt said, his tone resigned “That’s why you took so long?
“Yes, and we should be figuring out how to stop him. Deric is dangerous, Man”
Man scoffed. “He’s not reckless. Anyway, let’s talk about something else. Like your boyfriend” His smirk returned, “Sorry I ruined your date… sort of. You could do better, though. Is he better in bed than me?”
“Mail!” M.
My Face Hushed,
“What? Don’t want me to bring it up? Because you’re serious about him?” He leaned closer, his tone dropping. “You’re so cold”
“Matt… that night…
“Me asking you out didn’t mean anything? His voice was soft now, hurt glimmering in his eyes despite his attempt to mask 1. “I hoped it did. But you disappeared after that. Didn’t even give me a clunce
things with Carter had just happened
I swallowed hard, guilt twisting in my chest, I hadn’t avoided him on purpose–things:
“I didn’t think you liked me like that,” I adınitted.
“You’re hopeless,” he said with a faint smile. “But I can’t stay mad when you look so good.” He raised my hand to his lips, brushing a kiss over my knuckles. My cheeks burned as passing nurses gave us curious looks
“Man!” 1 pulled my hand back, but his grin widened.
“If you ever leave him,” he said lightly, “I’ll be waiting.”
“What makes you think I’ll leave Carter?”
“Stuff happens” His cryptic reply sent a shiver down my spine.
Before I could respond, he disappeared, leaving me alone in the lounge. Damn incubi and their need to show off.
Carter returned with takeout, scanning the room
“He left”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Let’s go home.”
On the drive back, Carter tried to lift my spirits.
“Sorry the date didn’t go as planned. I’ll make it up to you next time
I’m looking forward to it,” I said, managing a smile. But my thoughts drified to Derie’s words. How was I supposed to act around Silas now?
When Carter dropped me off, I climbed the stairs, lost in thought. My anxiety quickly turned to fury when I heard a familiar voice coming from Silas’s room.
Mm yes, Silas… harder!”
For fuck’s sake. Not this again.
2/3
3:25 PM
C
