Krevan shrugged.“I’ll drag it to the edge, stand underneath, ease it in, then crawl out.The hole will be wide enough.”
“No way,” she shot back, panic rising.“You could never lift that thing solo—you’ll crush yourself.”
“Ancelin, I know my strength,” he replied calmly.“It’ll be awkward, sure, but I can manage.I’ll eat again, dig the hole bigger, then do it.You wait inside so you don’t freak out.”He paused.“Lock up when I walk you back.After the hole’s ready, I’ll refill my energy and lower it into the ground.”
Her voice trembled.“But what if it falls on you?”
He kissed her hand.“If I get trapped, I can just toss it out.I’m strong—I’m in my prime.And if something really goes wrong, use the SatView to call my father.He’ll tell you what to do.But don’t worry—I survived Hellgate; a vehicle in our backyard won’t stop me.”
“You’re incredible,” she whispered.
“Exactly why Triaxens hide many of their abilities,” he said.“If the others knew, they’d want to destroy us out of fear and we’d be at war.”
He helped her back inside, bolted the door, and set off.Ancelin paced the floor.Three hours later, Krevan returned, mud caked on him and rainwater dripping from his clothes.
“You already buried it?”she cried.“I thought you’d eat first.”
“It rained harder, and I got cold, so I just finished it.It was awkward, but I managed.Now I need food before I pass out.”
He collapsed into a kitchen chair.Ancelin rushed to serve him steaming stew and fresh pie, then sat beside him, stroking his damp hair.“You look pale.Eat, then go to bed.”
He smiled, kissed her fingers.“Call me Krev,” he chuckled.“I’ll shower, sleep well.Tomorrow, we head to Coti for our vehicle.I’ll call Krammer—he already knows it was vandalized.”
She watched him devour the stew, polish off the pie, and drink four large cups of coffee.Refreshed, he stood to make his calls while Ancelin cleaned the dishes.
"Let's head upstairs," Krevan said, appearing in the kitchen doorway."I've secured everything and finished my calls.Come to bed with me."He extended his hand toward her.As she took it, she noticed his pace had slowed considerably while they ascended the staircase.In their bedroom, they fell into their nighttime rituals—Krevan disappeared into the shower while Ancelin changed and brushed her teeth.
"Krevan," she called over the running water, "where are my medications?"
"Disposed of," came his reply.
"What?"The word escaped her throat like a trapped animal."I can't function without them.I won't sleep—my mind will race all night.They're the only thing that keeps my anxiety under control."The shower door swung open.Krevan emerged, water streaming down his body, towering over her by the sink.His eyes shifted unnervingly between silver and green—a phenomenon she'd never witnessed before meeting him.His already imposing physique seemed to expand in the small bathroom, backing her against the counter."Please," she whispered, "I need them.Get them back for me.Now."
Krevan's strange eyes studied her trembling hands, her dilated pupils."I'm all you need," he stated flatly."Let me be your medicine tonight."His voice dropped to a whisper as he stepped closer, water still beading on his skin."I can give you what those pills can't."He bent toward her neck, his lips barely grazing her skin."One bite—gentler than this morning.Just enough to ease you into sleep."His eyes met hers, hardening slightly."Those bottles are gone, Ancelin.Your doctor had no business prescribing that quantity for this long.The medical board would have questions."He reached for her trembling hand."I won't change my mind about this.Your anger doesn't scare me."His thumb traced circles on her palm."Listen to yourself.You've spent years helping patients recognize addiction.What would you tell someone begging for pills the way you just begged me?"
"I'm not dependent on anything."Her eyes flashed like struck flint."My doctor prescribed these for a reason.Give them back to me now.You had no right."She jabbed her finger against his bare chest, her voice rising with each word until it echoed off the bathroom tiles.
"Those pills aren't necessary anymore.Come to bed with me instead—I'll help you sleep."His tone left no room for debate."You're finished with those medications."
"You don't control me, Krevan Vallex!"She planted her feet wider; hands fixed on her hips."What about your bite?That's my real addiction.And let's not forget it's lethal to most people."
"For you, it's rejuvenation, vitality, and relaxing."His voice softened as he leaned down toward her lips."It makes our intimacy...transcendent."
She twisted away from his approaching kiss, her features contorting with frustration.
"Transcendent?Please.Your Triaxen ego is exploding.”
"It's not ego when we both know it's true," he replied simply.
"Fine, you're good, Krevan, but mind-blowing?Please."Ancelin's voice rose to a shout."And who made you the authority over me?Not my doctor, not my keeper."Her foot came down hard against the tile floor, sending a jolt up her leg.Krevan's head tilted slightly, his expression maddeningly calm as he studied her like some curious specimen."Get out of my way.I'm finding those pills myself since you've decided to hide what's rightfully mine."The words tumbled out of her mouth faster and faster, her thoughts spinning too quickly to catch, too slippery to hold onto any logic that might have once anchored them.
Krevan's jaw tightened as he studied her, his silver eyes narrowing."This particular mood of yours isn't one I enjoy."His voice dropped lower."Your dependency runs deeper than I thought.And yes, in certain matters, I’m in charge, and my medical credentials outrank whoever prescribed that poison.Those pills won't touch your system again.Is that clear?"He leaned closer, his breath warm against her face."Search all you want.They're gone.Find any others, and they'll disappear too."
Ancelin drew herself up, meeting those metallic eyes without flinching."Ex-doctor," she hissed, emphasizing the first syllable."Your medical license expired with your humanity.”
“I’m not human.Triaxens technically have no humanity.That’s an Earth term.”He shrugged.
“Guess not.”She sighed.“I won't be controlled, not even by you."Her finger stabbed toward the door, trembling slightly."Pills or sleep someplace else.Choose."
