I cram the phone back into my jeans.
“I hope you made enough for two,” I shout.
Pallas stiffens, then turns to face me. His eyes widen as he takes in my oversized hoodie, baggy jeans, and well-worn boots. Then, a small smile spreads across his freckled face. He points his spoon at me. “You must be Desiree.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What gave me away?”
“Family resemblance.” He grins.
As I smile in return, my fangs are on display, but Pallas’s heartbeat remains steady. He returns to his stir fry, and I decide I like him.
“Twins often look alike,” I say as he switches off the burner. He opens a nearby cupboard and retrieves plates from the shelf where I had once planned to store the cups. It takes a moment for me to adjust, reminding myself that I am merely a visitor now; this is no longer my home.
Setting his earbuds on the counter, Pallas says, “It’s more than that. You two carry yourselves the same. As if you’re entirely comfortable in your skin, a confidence that can’t be faked.”
I snort. Wilder might be confident, but me? I’ve always been a fish out of water. As a witch, no matter how hard I tried to be people’s friend, they still disliked me. At least as a vampire, I’ve tasted acceptance—a taste I’ll savor forever, a taste I’ll do anything to get back.
I glance at the clock above the stove. It’s only been five minutes. Jax isn’t late.
“You don’t have to make me a plate,” I tell him.
Pallas gestures to the mountain of noodles. “I made enough.”
“I’m on a strictly liquid diet these days.”
A flush colors his cheeks as he laughs, and I can’t help but join him. I haven’t experienced such kinship with a stranger in what feels like forever, not since Misty. The thought cuts me short.
“Well, you can at least sit with me while I eat,” he offers, sitting at the small bistro table in the corner. “Unless you’re here to eat me, in which case, I’d prefer a quick death.”
“Careful, that almost sounds like an invitation.”
Pallas shrugs. “After today, I’d almost welcome it,” he says amicably, but his words have a tinge of sadness.
I settle into the seat across from him. “Care to share? I’m always eager to hear a good story, especially one that ends with a death wish.”
Pallas chews a mouthful of food. “I don’t see the harm in telling you, given you’re Wilder’s sister.”
“What happened?”
“I got into trouble and am being sent to Aurora because of it—a banishment disguised as a favor.”
I nod, a strange sense of camaraderie washing over me. I understand what it’s like to have nowhere to go and live off the generosity of others. It’s often charity that comes with a price.
“If it makes you feel any better, I also got banished,” I offer.
Surprise ignites in Pallas’s eyes, and he sets aside his fork. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”
I size Pallas up, considering how much to reveal. Given that I’ll return to the Nest soon, I see no harm in commiserating with him. After all, there’s a chance we may never see each other again.
“Someone summoned a daemon to murder Vyvyan,” I say, deadpan, gauging his reaction. Pallas blinks once. “Vyvyan hates me, and to get back into her good graces, I told her I’d find her attacker, except they got to her a second time before I got to them. I had no choice but to leave the Nest willingly or get thrown out on my ass.”
“Not much of a choice, huh?” Pallas says.
I smile. “Not at all. But Jaxson’s helping me find the attacker, return to the Nest, and reclaim my place.” Pallas laughs, and I fold my arms. “What?”
“That’s what Jaxson said, huh?”
Before I can answer, there’s a knock on the front door. It creaks open. “Anyone home?” Jaxson calls out.
