"Yeah."Krevan nodded."Give it a few minutes and you'll be steady on your feet again.Coffee helps."He disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a steaming mug that he placed carefully in her hands."Careful now.Hot."
Ancelin wrapped her fingers around the warmth."Thanks.My stomach's growling too."
"I'll fix something.You just stay put."He clicked on the Satview."This'll keep you company."
"Could we visit Coti later?"she called after him as he moved back to the kitchen.
"Absolutely.Need something specific?"
"Paper.Actual sheets of it."The room seemed to shimmer pleasantly around her."Everything feels sparkly, Krevan."
He laughed from the kitchen."The paper shouldn't be hard to find.And once this buzz wears off, you'll feel incredible—energized, renewed.That's the Triaxen effect."
"The biting..."She touched her shoulder where his teeth had been."I liked it.Never thought I would."
"Won't even leave a mark," he said, cracking eggs into a bowl."My venom heals, when it doesn’t kill a person.”
The Satview news anchor's voice cut through their conversation: "Two Hellgate Prison officials found murdered near New Detroit.Bodies discovered yesterday, though medical reports indicate death occurred over two weeks ago from blunt trauma.Names withheld pending notification."
Ancelin sat up straighter."Krevan?Did you catch that?"
"I heard."
"Those men who came here...I'm not convinced they were who they claimed.We've been too distracted.We need to contact the lawyers today, find out who those dead officials actually were."
Krevan nodded grimly."I'll make the call.And nobody else gets in until we know what's happening."
"Krevan, those men..."Ancelin's voice trembled as she clutched the edge of the table."They asked about my things, not yours.They knew I was here before they arrived.The way they looked at me—like they already knew everything."She swallowed hard."What if they weren't real prison officials?"
Krevan cupped her face in his hands."Listen to me.Your instincts are good, but we need to stay calm.I'll protect you."His thumb traced her cheekbone."Remember how you felt just moments ago?Hold onto that feeling."He wrapped a towel around her shoulders."Let's get you dressed.Food will help clear your head."
At the kitchen table, Ancelin inhaled deeply."This smells amazing."
"We'll go into Coti after breakfast," Krevan said, setting down her plate.
Ancelin bit her lip."Is it safe to leave?"
"We can't hide forever."Krevan's eyes softened."I won't let anything happen to you."
"But what if—"
"Ancelin."He paused, choosing his words carefully."I survived Hellgate for a reason.I have...abilities that would surprise most people."His smile was reassuring yet dangerous."Anyone who tries to hurt you will regret it."
He reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers."Stay close to me in town.That's all I ask."
She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"That's my girl," he said."Now eat.The day is ours to enjoy together."
"Yes," she whispered, the corner of her mouth lifting.
"Better?"
"I feel incredible—like electricity running through my veins," she said, arching her back as she stretched."Those fangs of yours pack quite a punch."
"You don't know the half of it," Krevan said, his eyes glinting."Anyone else would be writhing in agony right now or be already dead."He leaned closer, and his smile took on a predatory edge."My venom kills every non-Triaxen species—with one exception."His fingertip traced the blue veins at her wrist."When we mated, something in you changed.You became immune."
Ancelin's fork slipped from her fingers, ringing against porcelain."So that first kiss could have been fatal?We kissed a lot that night and I think I tasted some of your venom."
