Mine, some possessive part of me whispered.He’s mine. For now.
“Come on,princess.” He pulled back, brushing hair from my face with gentle fingers. “Let us get dressed and go meet Jules. The sooner we finish dinner and your shift, the sooner I can bring you back here and make you scream.”
The promise in his voice sent heat flooding through me all over again.
“Fine.” I stood on shaky legs, my body still humming with unfulfilled desire. “But you’re buying me extra fries for this torture.”
His laugh followed me as I gathered my clothes, rich and warm and absolutely perfect.
And despite the frustration thrumming through my veins, despite the ache between my thighs that wouldn’t be satisfied for hours yet, I found myself smiling.
Chapter 26
Rowan
“How much do you know of the veil and the world that lies beyond it?” Jules asked as she stared at the burger and fries on my plate.
Her question broke the chewing silence at our table. It had taken us weeks to convince her to meet with us outside of Oubliette, away from prying eyes and ears. She had been nearly the same ever since Violet had been drugged, bubbly and warm, but she refused to discuss anything while within the walls. She met all of our questions and inquiries with deflections.
“Another time.”
“Not now.”
“Catch you later.”
Her elusiveness had been infuriating.
However, she had also been absolute in her efforts to ensure Violet stayed safe. That was, I assumed, in no small part due to me threatening to burn the place down if she didn’t inform her ‘clients’ to not eat the staff.
The proprietor sent Violet roses as an apology as well. It was a large bouquet that nearly filled the doorway of her dorm. I would have tossed it in the trash had Violet not objected.
When neither of us answered her question, Jules continued, brushing back her loose tresses. “After you were drugged, I assume Rowen informed you a little on. . . the nature of things?”
Violet stiffened next to me, her food mid-bite as she eyed us both warily. “Partially? Why don’t you fill us in? It has been several weeks now. . .”
Jules nodded. “You were slipped something exceptionally rare. Neither Succubi nor Incubi blood is allowed to be sold, and it is traditionally only shared with trusted partners due to its addictive nature.”
“That did not stop anyone from slipping it into her water,” I grumbled before finishing a fry.
Jules ignored my jab. “Regardless, the symptoms are typically alleviated through shared energies or auras. Solo practicing does little to subdue the symptoms.”
“Auras?” Violet asked.
Jules’s voice took on the cadence of Professor Wright. “Auras are the energy fields surrounding all living things. Think of it as our life force, or an indicator of our vitality. A person can share their aura in a multitude of ways, but the primary method is through physical contact.” She motioned us closer and lowered her voice. “Incubi and Sucubi feed on sexual energy. . . They are creatures of lust and desire. Therefore, alleviating the symptoms of their blood would require auras in that heightened sexual state.”
Violet’s face turned bright red. “Oh, the colors I saw. Good to know. How doyouknow so much about all this, Jules?” She was quick to change topic despite the glare I sent her way. She hadn’t mentioned anything about seeing auras.
That made Jules pause. “I work closely with the proprietor, Damien, on both sides of the veil. My skills, while currently dormant, are often sought after.”
I had to ask the obvious question. “These sought-after skills you speak of? What is it that you specialize in?”
Jules laughed. “I suppose fortune reading could be one way to look at it? Honestly, sweetie, I’d rather not go much more into it right now.”
I didn’t like how much she kept hidden, but I took what little she would give us.
As I pondered what question to ask Jules next, she shocked Violet and me when she said, “By the way, Damien wants to meet you both tomorrow night.”
My interest shifted from learning more about her to what she’d said. Beside me, Violet stiffened, her heart rate spiking. Our words collided in unplanned unison.
