29

How the hell did I end up here? I asked myself many questions as I fit my body into the trunk of Aiden’s car.

“Once we’re in the clear, I’ll let you out,” he said with a smirk, “Relax. Yours isn’t the first body I’ve had in my trunk.”

“The fu—”

He closed me in.

I huffed. My mind flooded with the pending regrets. Had I been so desperate as to put my faith in a potential psychopath? What if he got hungry and pulled over? All that would be left to do is bury me in the woods. I should’ve brought my own shovel too.

If I stayed, though, I would have to face Faris. Either way, someone was getting hurt. My contract with Zak was about to be in flames. I groaned, feeling the sting of betrayal all over. If there had been time, I would’ve liked to hear Zak’s side of the story. I wanted Tori to be wrong about everything; that I wasn’t a demon lord’s daughter on the run.

What exactly happens when you anger The Angel of Mercy?

I wouldn’t see any of them again.

And that made me… sad?

It was always going to end this way, wasn’t it? I was never going to stay with EXO forever. What a shitty goodbye, though. Everything felt so rushed. I wished I could’ve said something more to Tori for bothering to rescue me. She could have easily left me but had the heart to stay, even after learning who I was.

I still refused to believe it but pieces of a long, disoriented puzzle shifted together in my mind. Chaos beings. Demon lords. There had always been something beneath my surface; deadly and hungry. Not half demon. Half lord .

Had Guy left me to die after realizing the same thing? The image of his face made my chest throb like a freshly carved wound. I couldn’t escape Death forever. Sooner or later, I’d meet him again, but a happy reunion seemed unlikely.

Even so, I wished we could’ve stayed friends longer.

The car shifted and I braced myself against the walls of my confinement. Before dumping me in the back, Aiden had me put on his jacket. Courteous, I guess. My fingers curled around the thick material that exceeded my arm’s length. Its length reached my hips and smelled just like him; warm, leathery, and intoxicating. Had he wanted me to suffocate in the trunk?

We stopped. I heard voices outside, distinctly Aiden’s charm ing the pants off of somebody. A guard or purifier, I couldn’t be sure. I knew we were in the clear when the car lurched forward again.

Gone.

Just like that…

I had to figure out what to do next on the outside. If EXO caught us, I’d face the wrath of Heaven. But I had nowhere to go yet, except for wherever Aiden was taking us.

Aiden kept us on a steady path, not that I could see anything. The humming of the engine created a soothing white noise but the ceaseless rocking turned my stomach. I pressed my feet up to stop myself from jostling around.

After a while longer combating motion sickness, we slowed. The engine shut off and my aching hips rejoiced. The trunk lid lifted and I had to blink away the flashing neon outside.

“Ready, Cupcake?” Aiden waited happily for me like he’d just opened a birthday present.

“Just help me out of here.”

Before Aiden could grab me, I jerked back. The incident with Max was still fresh in my mind. He cocked a brow when I slid the sleeves of his jacket up to swallow my hands. My precautions worked fine until he insisted on carrying me.

His hand curled beneath my legs, giving me a small buzz, before scooping me up. “Your highness,” Aiden said while wearing a fang-filled grin.

“Thanks.” I wiggled just enough to send the message that I wanted down. Why weren’t his hands freezing? I’d thought most vampires were cold. Aiden was still a box full of mysteries. An even better reason I shouldn’t have followed him blindly.

Once he set me down on my feet, Aiden opened the passenger side door. “I only have extra clothes of mine. Hope they’re to your liking.”

Anything should have been better than what I had on, but when he handed me a long shirt, I died inside. “No pants?”

“You can keep my jacket.”

I already knew it wouldn’t work. If I were short, maybe , but my legs would make a nice statement from beneath the dark material. At least it had thickness as opposed to the hospi tal gown I wore.

“Where are we?” I tucked loose strands of hair behind my ear, suddenly aware that I hadn’t seen my reflection in a while. We parked on a busy street but it parted into three rows of buildings, all with their own brightly lit strips.

“Downtown Cosoco,” Aiden said, “Never been?”

“It looks so different at night,” I noted. Cosoco sat far west from Haverwick but Naomi and I had come before. They had a variety of special herbs we couldn’t find close to home. During the day, downtown looked like any other mid-city, but the night made for a bright transformation.

Aiden appeared next to my shoulder. “Some things are meant to be enjoyed under the shadow of night. Like me.”

I actually laughed. A real laugh. “Gods, you’re cheesy.”

He held my gaze until my snickering stopped. One of his pale hands reached out to take mine. “You should change before we head in. Use the car or hide behind that dumpster if you’re shy.”

“Okay but do I have to hold your hand while I do that?”

His tone became infantile, like he had to explain to me how school recess worked. “We need to go over some rules. First, the moment we walk through the doors, you’re mine. Make it obvious to the other vampires and stay close to me.”

“Your what , exactly?”

His request wouldn’t matter since I planned on leaving, even tually. Once the excitement of my disappearance died down, I’d slip away. By then, Aiden might have a new conquest to fixate on.

“My date. I’m the vampire you’re with,” he said like it was so obvious.

“Okay, but why?”

“You walk in there looking alone and I guarantee you won’t live to see tomorrow.”

I gaped at him. “The hell kind of place is this?”

Had he seriously brought me to a vampire nightclub? I let out a heavy sigh.

This is on me. I knew better and came anyway.

“Hey.” Aiden’s dark and charming voice brought me back to the conversation. “You’re safe with me. Everyone thinks you hate me, so who’d come looking for us together ?”

There was that.

I opted for the dumpster as my dressing room. Not graceful at all and kind of gross, but I managed to pull the shirt over my body in record time. The important bits had been covered but just barely.

Aiden’s arm came from around the dumpster. Hanging from his fingers were a pair of black flats, branded with a curious logo on the heels.

“I wasn’t done,” I said, snatching the shoes.

“Sorry. Figured you didn’t want to be barefoot over there.”

Thoughtful. When I stepped out into view, Aiden had something red in his hands. The blood drained from my face. “Aiden…”

“They’re clean,” he said. The dangling lace taunted me but the breeze between my legs was just as humiliating. Aiden slowly lowered the underwear. “Unless you’d rather not?”

“Whose are they?”

“Untouched. We sell merch inside. Consider it a gift,” he said.

“You sell these but not sweat pants?”

Aiden shrugged.

“Give it here,” I said, retreating with my new underwear. My dignity slipped further away as I dragged the measly piece of red fabric past my thighs.

Aiden snorted at the apparent disapproval I wore with his ensemble. “I can go shopping later but our priority is getting you inside before anyone sees.”

He tossed his jacket back over my shoulders and I slipped my arms through, appreciating any additional coverage. My old gown lay in a sad heap on the ground. Aiden pinched it by the neck and tossed it into the dumpster.

“Step back, Cupcake,” he said while keeping his hand in the garbage container until a flame started. The intense heat pushed me back.

“What are you doing?” I asked, “You can’t just set shit on fire!”

“Can’t have wolves tracking your scent,” he said.

“I think they can smell smoke too.”

“But not you , anymore”

“Why do I get the feeling you’ve done this before?”

“Why don’t you just trust me?” Aiden offered his hand and waited for me.

I adjusted my sleeves again. “Do you smoke?”

“Used to,” he said and fit my covered hand comfortably in his, “Why?”

“The fire.” I squinted at him. Who walked around with lighters in their pockets if they didn’t actively use them? And yet, he chose not to explain or even confirm he had a lighter. I watched the fire continue to burn, wondering how else he’d started it unless he knew magic. “How did you—”

“Let’s save the talking for later,” he said.

We crossed the street and made our way down another dark alley. A dank staircase cloaked itself away, just behind it. Not sketchy at all.

I looked around us, almost like I hoped a better option would present itself. Aiden had a face girls would melt for but I couldn’t ignore the little voice telling me to stay wary.

There was always running off alone.

No. Stick to the plan.

Recoup, wait, and then find my own way.

Another vampire stood at a tall doorway, ready to greet us. The muscle? He looked too spindly for the job, but then, supernaturals had their ways. He tilted his half-shaved head in our direction. With a bored roll of his wrist, he summoned us through. “Good to see you… and you.”

His red eyes blinked slowly as he examined me. “Stay close to your date, love.”

“Not a threat, right, Udi?” Aiden said more than asked.

“Not from me, boss.”

Boss? Aiden was the boss of that guy? Did that mean Aiden owned the place?

That would explain his confidence in using it as a hideout.

Aiden seemed content with that response and waltzed inside with me in tow. Before shutting the door behind us, he turned to Udi once more. “Hey, no one’s seen us.”

“Sure, boss.”

Past the entrance, the air thickened into smog. The smells consisted heavily of smoke, sweat, and rust. Lots of rust. It took my eyes a whole minute to adjust to the dark. I couldn’t see anyone else’s eye color but the alarming number of necking couples revealed the majority in attendance. Vampires . Vampires everywhere.

My willingness to be at Aiden’s side increased the further we went. Low, changing beats vibrated beneath my feet. No lyrics. Just sounds. Humans wandered around, either doe-eyed or enthusiastic participants. The new laws discouraged blood-drinking in public but that didn’t seem to apply.

Aiden’s presence parted the sea of dancers so we could reach the bar. He commanded the room full of darklings. Even without touching anyone I could feel their energy seeping into my pores. It was all around; erupting from the heat of dancing bodies and sighs of delight that left their lips. Some harbored essence that stood out from the others, wafting my way. Tempting me.

I’m just another monster in the room.

“I should’ve bitten you.” Aiden’s statement dragged my attention away from my appetite. He kept a stoney expression when anyone came close. No one stopped us, but they weren’t shy about their inspections.

“Hungry?” I scoffed, ignoring my own growing hunger pains. My stomach shriveled like a raisin. I’d have to feed too, and soon. Having so many humans around made my chest heavy with worry.

For them.

“Starved,” he said, “But that’s not all.”

“Can it wait?”

“It’ll keep other interested parties away. And there are many.”

We sat at some bar stools when I felt a new kind of gaze; one of a different desire. They came from willing donors, hoping to gain Aiden’s favor. Men and women. Their longing stares and exposed necklines gave me second-hand embarrassment.

I thought Aiden was the only vampire who lacked subtlety, but every red-eyed guest made their desires clear, scanning us faster than hummingbird wings. They sat like giant vultures at their seats or along the walls, probably waiting to see if I’d keel over.

The impatient ones approached other potential meals and most were rewarded with their target’s wrists in their mouths. A few had a more sultry approach and received access to a neck. The gasps and breathy tunes made me blush. I hadn’t expected the feedings to be so expressive… and loud.

“Come here often?” I asked, ignoring the vampire across who made a map of my throat.

Aiden answered by bringing my hand to his lips. Warmth traveled down my arm from tiny kisses on my knuckles. It wasn’t much, but my energy tank ran empty so any little touch, my darkness gobbled up. “I invited you once, remember?” he asked, his purrs muffled, “It only took the threat of death to get you here.”

I raised a brow at his romantic pursuit on my fingers. “Is this scaring the vampires away too?”

“It’s for you . I figured you’d be snacky.” His eyes shifted to the faces behind me. “If I bite you, you’re off-limits to them. Tonight, that is.”

He reached for the collar of his jacket that sat around my neck, tickling me. The fabric followed his touch and slid down my shoulders. Observers turned their heads or rolled their eyes, knowing very well what came next. My blood wouldn’t be free for the taking.

I couldn’t mask the tremor in my voice. “I-I heal pretty quickly so, I don’t think that’ll work. What would you be doing if I wasn’t here?”

“You really want the answer to that?” His fingertips played with the hairs closest to my collarbone and gently brushed them to the side. He finally answered but his gaze stayed below my chin. “I would probably find some lucky soul to share the eve ning with. Club Eternal is accepting of many activities that some might consider to be indecent.”

“Great,” I said, “Why are we here again?”

“This place happens to be a haven for the unwanted, or ex tremely wanted, from time to time. You can relax.” To prove his point, he pressed into my shoulder muscle that had reached my ears.

“Being hunted doesn’t put me in high spirits,” I said, not withholding the sass, “I also don’t have a dazzling track record when it comes to parties.”

“Shit happens, but you’re free of those warped, angelic assholes. Cheers to you!”

It would’ve been terribly easy to give in to his antics. Flirty, confident, mysterious, and actually funny at times. Aiden showed his interest in me before but I’d blamed it on his boredom. I still needed to hear the real reason he’d helped me. The goodness of his heart wasn’t sitting right with me.

“So, you bite me and everyone backs off?” I asked, “Like bug repellant?”

Aiden leaned in, giving me a front-row seat to his pretty, black lashes. Damned things put butterflies to shame. “It’s rude to steal from someone’s plate. Even monsters have some etiquette.”

I turned my head to one side, unable to handle how close he’d gotten. “Just talk me through it. What does it mean to feed on someone?”

“Does it have to mean anything? We all eat to survive.”

“It’s just that it looks violent and erotic.”

There was a perfect example of that sitting close to us. I watched a man getting drained by a dark-haired female, work ing his neck like a fat lollipop. He seemed to be in a state of bliss, not writhing in pain and agony. Unless he was about to pass out. Also likely.

“Humans naturally replenish their blood. It’s a waste to kill them,” Aiden said, all too casually, “The intimate approach has more to do with flavor. Frightened prey tastes bitter. Some like that. I prefer mine sweet.”

His fingers danced around my collar again and heat burned beneath the surface of my skin. At least it sounded like murder was off the table. Also nice that vampires didn’t like sharing. Humans wouldn’t last two seconds being tag-teamed by blood vacuums.

“You kissed that wolf shifter,” Aiden stated, “Tell me what you felt then?”

The longer I took to respond the more earnestly he waited, and his smile grew. His words continued to flow like a chocolate river. “When your lips touched, what was on your mind? I’m sure it wasn’t true love . Not with that dog.”

Fear. Hunger. Instinct.

“Nothing like that,” I said, “Just…”

“—just the need ?” Aiden grinned. “See. It’s natural. You and I are the same, and what we do isn’t a crime. We’re just getting what we need.”

I’d always known we were alike, I just wanted to ignore the fact. Why couldn’t I be someone like Zak instead? Kind. Happy. He was able to appear to others with goofy humility even with all his great power. He’d made me believe I could push the boundaries of my birthright.

I can’t.

Max hadn’t seen it coming when I stole his energy, and neither had Peter. I couldn’t control myself. At least Aiden had the decency to take me on a “date” first. Even if the location was spooky and bordered on blood prostitution. I think, out of the two of us, I was the worst monster.

“Maybe you’re right,” I muttered.

A velvety chuckle escaped his lips. “I was trying to give you a pep talk, not hurt your feelings.”

He earned a snort that time. “You’ve helped me a few times now. I owe you.”

“True.”

Something hot grazed my neck. Aiden had dipped his head but stopped himself just above the flesh between my neck and shoulder. Out of instinct, I pushed his chest away just before his teeth could dig in.

“Wait!”

Impatience crowded his sensuous growl. He observed me from heavy-lidded eyes and my insides burned. What was wrong with me? I’d agreed to the dumb pact and been through worse than a vampire bite. Everyone at the bar drank with, or from, their dates, so our exchange would’ve been normal.

Aiden took a long inhale and secured my knee in his wide palm. “What if I help you out first?”

I froze when Aiden’s thumb slid across my bottom lip.

Immediately, heat and tiny pin-pricks numbed that area. Is he insane? After we’d just talked about what happened with Max? Aiden had to see what I’d done to that gymnasium. Somehow, I hadn’t gotten anyone killed, but the club had far more potential victims inside.

“Why would you want to do that?” I asked.

Aiden rolled his head back with a low groan. He stared for a long moment before laughing deeply. “ Ah … You’re too sweet. No wonder those bastards thought they could keep their demon pet.”

I huffed at his insult. “Why are you still with EXO?”

“Maybe after today, I won’t be,” he said.

“I’m serious.”

“Me too. I’m having too much fun playing deserters with you.”

“Won’t they suspect if we’re both missing?” I asked, “Your sister will know.”

He shook his head. “She doesn’t want peacekeepers sticking their noses in here any more than I do.”

“Then why are you both involved with them?”

“My hells, woman. Fun first.” Aiden’s last chuckle was dry and raspy. He flicked his hand toward the bartender who happily bounced over to us. She already wore a pair of fang holes around her neck like a badge of honor.

“From the bar, tonight?” she asked him, “That’s unlike you.”

“Not for me. Give her something sweet.”

The barmaid feigned a smile when she was forced to notice me. I received no bubbly remarks and I could taste the sour ness of her energy. She slammed my glass a little too hard while wearing the same strained expression. If I hadn’t just watched her make the drink, I would’ve suspected it to be poisoned.

“Think she’s jealous?” I asked.

“She knows what you’re missing,” Aiden said.

I inspected my drink. After I turned sixteen, my aunt started letting me have wine every Winter solstice. So, I’d had alcohol before, sort of. The concoction before me had a similar redness to it. Smelled fruity too.

Aiden nudged it closer to me. “Let’s play a game. Every sip you take, I’ll answer a question.”

“Truthfully?” I brought the drink to my lips but he said nothing. The sugar mixed in helped with the burn. I coughed into my sleeve, earning more snickering from Aiden.

He gave me a small applause. “Look at you go. One question, then.”

“You’ve had nothing good to say about EXO, Zak or anyone,” I said, my voice turned raspy, “So, why become a peacekeeper?”

“Easy,’ he said, “I’m not. Next.”

“What? That answer is bullshit.”

“You didn’t ask for details.”

I wanted to rip my hair out, or his. My next sip tasted worse.

“Fine, give me the details , then.”

Aiden’s glee dimmed by a fraction. “My old man wants his kids involved with the angels’ grand plan for world peace by climbing EXO’s ranks,” he paused, “Dad wasn’t always so high and mighty. I enjoyed him better then.”

“What was he like?” I asked.

Aiden pointed at my drink.

Prick.

The glass hadn’t been tall but it took forever to get through. When he looked satisfied with my pinched face he continued, “Before Roman was an angel-loving, ass-kisser, he saw a future for us . Survival of the fittest shifted after the war but instead of letting evolution run its course, we’re encouraging humans to run the show again. Vampires are forced to keep their heads down but when angels vote themselves in to govern the humans, humans rejoice.”

“Maybe because angels don’t eat them,” I said and Aiden grunted.

“Wanna know the real reason why Zak’s nice to you?” he asked, “The answer’s a lot darker than you think. Come on, think! He’s seen as one of the strongest angels. Why?”

“He’s an angel, he’s…” I stopped. Why would an angel be kind? Kindness is in their nature, I thought. What else had Zak said to me about angels?

They thrived off love.

If angels only needed people to like them in order to be powerful, and everyone liked Zak…

He’d made himself invincible.

“Angels are like us too,” Aiden spoke just loud enough to hear over the noise. “They feed off us every chance they get, but we’re the only ones made to feel guilty for it. Especially you.”

My next sip became a gulp.

“Me?”

“I know all about your secret lessons with Mr. Sunshine. Why do you think he insisted on it being him ?”

“Because I can’t easily kill him?”

Aiden blinked once. “He’s getting you addicted to him, Cupcake. I’m sure an angel’s soul is five-star dining. As a fellow consumer, I understand, but don’t put him on some pedestal where he doesn’t belong.”

Zak wants me addicted to him?

The thought would’ve been absurd had the night’s events not occurred. What would he benefit by doing that? My favor. My adoration ?

My compliance.

My trust.

The second round of betraying feelings summoned a split ting headache. I pinched my forehead, like the pain could be popped like a pimple. Without the promise of Zak’s spirit to fill me, I worried there would be no end.

“Why did you really bring me here, Aiden?” I asked, blinking away tears.

He took time to mull it over. “I’m curious.”

“About what?”

Before telling me, he stole my hand again. The immediate relief to my head stopped me from taking it back. His energy was… strange. I couldn’t pin down on feeling or another. Its pulsing sensation ebbed and flowed, making silent waves up my arm.

While I was stunned, he whisked us away toward the center of the room. Bodies packed in tight, sliding against their dance partners. Fear and unease begged me to go back where it was safe. No one showed concern, even as they wore their own blood like ruby necklaces. How could humans be so careless?

So many people…

Too many. Their auras bombarded me like a flock of birds. The ease of obtaining what I needed intrigued me enough to stay, but there wouldn’t be much of a hideout left if I overindulged.

Aiden finally found the spot he wanted and spun me around. My back collided with his front. His hands curved around my hips, squeezing as if he could merge us together. He brought a dangerous whisper to my ear. “Dance with me.”

I didn’t want to admit he’d left me breathless. How could anyone sound so lethal and inviting at the same time?

Up against someone like Aiden, I felt brutally unprepared. I only ever danced alone. It wasn’t until I saw everyone else humping each other that I gained a sliver of confidence. I could probably do better than that at least. Their form of dancing didn’t seem to require much skill at all.

I made a breathy giggle at the absurdity of it all. Madness. Pure madness . My heart raced and I let my body loosen to better mold with Aiden’s. His fingers scouted lower until they could feel skin. Just a tease. He didn’t lift my shirt-dress or drag his hands down any further.

Bits of his energy still reached me. Aiden’s confidence made me think he knew exactly what he was doing, and what his touches did for me. Max had felt like a ball of fire, but Aiden’s soul was like lying in a bed of dark coals; smokey with a quiet, searing heat.

“Okay, we danced and it wasn’t terrible,” I said, focusing on my awful footwork and not his smoldering presence behind me. Aiden brought me around to face him, still keeping our bodies close. He took it a step further and looped two fingers around my wrist, guiding my arm up and around his shoulder.

“What’s your next move, Cupcake?” he asked, caressing my inner forearm.

I wasn’t sure what he was referring to at first. My gaze stayed glued to his jaw but I could feel him searching my face for a clue. What was my next move? The entire night had been one of chaos. My minimal amount of stability had been stolen from under me. Stopping, even for a moment, to let it sink in might’ve drowned me.

“I don’t know,” I said, “I need to find my aunt. She’s out there somewhere and I need answers. So, I guess that’ll be my first step.”

“With a scary necromancer about? Sounds dangerous. Not for a princess of Hell, though?”

I dropped my head. “I can’t even think about that right now.”

“Is it true?”

“Probably.” Although, I hadn’t been able to ask Guy how he came to find out. I’d have to get Naomi to tell me.

Aiden pondered while he chewed his bottom lip with his fangs. “I could hunt her down for you.”

“You’ll hit a dead end.” If I knew Naomi, then she hadn’t left a trail behind, even for a vampire to sniff. It would be impossible for me to find her.

“You still doubt me.” His smirk was the only thing I could see in the mood lighting. I felt his other hand find the middle of my back. We’d already slowed; just two creatures idle in the dance of blood. “Just so you know, drinking blood doesn’t have to mean anything, but I am attracted to you,” he said, “I want you to enjoy me as much as I’m going to enjoy you.”

A lump formed in my throat. Warm fingers settled around my chin and he tilted my head to one side. My pulse pounded in my ears like a desperate cry but I did nothing. Aiden wasn’t waiting for his payment any longer.

“Aiden—”

“Relax.”

Relax. Sure!

His lips found my neck first, testing the terrain with harm less grazes. He paused at a spot around my collar and inhaled deeply. Pretty sure he’d taken a whiff of my artery.

It’s just a little blood…

Then, why was I shaking?

He started making more meaningful motions with his mouth. The innocent, introductory traces of his lips turned into a messy massage. Embers from his soul hissed, cooking me from the inside. I thought I heard a sizzle when he wet my neck with his tongue.

A shiver shot through me. So hot, but it felt wrong, like I shouldn’t have been experiencing that moment with him. Why? I wasn’t in a relationship with anyone. It doesn’t have to mean anything…

Maybe I did need to lighten up and just enjoy, like Aiden seemed to be doing.

He managed to lick his way through my icey fortress and thaw my nerves. Everything became a blur. There wasn’t much to see anyway, as everyone tangled themselves in their own trysts. The dying voice that kept telling me to run faded away.

I didn’t flinch when he pulled back, fangs at the ready. Not even when he angled his face to mine.

He isn’t…?

He is.

The soft grip on my chin curled to the back of my head. Our lips touched and my thoughts turned to black. I questioned my sanity as I kissed him back. How troubling that I didn’t hate it. Did I actually enjoy him, or was it the succubus talking?

Aiden pressed deeper into me. His movements, lips, and body moved slow and purposefully, much like his creeping vitality. The energy crawled under my skin, taking its delicious time recharging me. His fangs bumped against my teeth, reminding me of who I was dealing with; not a human and not someone who could die easily from my touch. He had his own dark and powerful side.

Comforting I suppose.

He gripped the back of my shirt. His shirt. My hand still rested behind his head. I hadn’t been bold enough to hold him closer. Our intimate exchange acted as the catalyst to his potential demise but he glued himself to me with no restraint.

I wanted to become stronger. Less afraid. In control. No headaches, no nightmares, no necromancers, and no hiding in the shadows for the rest of my supernatural life. Aiden was a willing donor.

Why shouldn’t I take advantage?

Something made my lips tingle, troubling me enough to lose the moment. Before, he’d tasted like mint and copper, but I was hit with something extremely sweet. All I could think of was his teeth.

Venom?

Before I had a moment to question it, Aiden broke the kiss and reared his head.