“He’s as much mine as I am his. Shadow beasts choose their own partners; they are not ones to be contained, but a very pleasant familiar overall.”
She smiles as she scratches the beast under his chin, a loud purr following.
“So… he chose you? Can they choose… anyone? Or is this for witches only?”
I’m unsure where my interest stems from; perhaps I see an ally in such beasts, an ally to help me kill my sister, especially now she’s bonded to that freak. I touch my wrist unconsciously at the thought of what occurred only a few hours ago. The Umbra went straight through the magical barrier and didn’t even bat an eye. His skin was completely intact. He truly stood above all creatures and the magic of this world, which frightens me.
“Yes, Fynn. Shadow beasts can choose whoever they like, and if you oppose them in any way, they will take your life. Vampires, Blood Witches, and humans, the beasts, don’t differentiate, except for the Umbra, of course. They will never choose an Umbra due to the power imbalance, as they cannot kill one of those if they deem it necessary. Hako found me while I struggled with my shadows; he ensures they behave around me. They are mysterious creatures with even more peculiar powers.”
She chuckles at the memory, and I see the male witch's lips also curve upward. How long have they known one another?
“Well, Fynn, I’ll leave you two by yourselves. If you need me to heal you, or you just want to talk, be like Hako and find me,” she says with a wink.
She walks off with the Shadow beast lounging on her shoulders, the male witch immediately joining her as she goes outside.
DIARY ENTRY:
I have gotten under your skin with the whole loophole thing, haven’t I? I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m reveling in it all. And the fact that it scares you means there’s a possibility. We will find it. We are destined to be a happy family, not one followed by sorrow and death. Did I already tell you how much I hate you? I hate you.
Kin Comradery
HARLOT
Chapter 11
“I can’t stand this, Emrys; I know I am hurting you with all of this, these capricious emotions I now suffer from,” I sob.
Emrys lifts my chin lovingly, my storming eyes meeting his.
“I’m a grown man, Harlot. I knew what I was getting myself into the moment I dared to invite you to my home. I knew the consequences if you accepted it, I knew this would not be a simple love story, and I knew damn well the hurt I was going to suffer as I bonded with you. All of this is inevitable, but our love is all worth it.Youare all worth it, my tempest, myLucem Mei. You are not walking this path alone. I’m by your side, always present in every shadow around you. I need you to understand that. I can handle your vacillating emotions, especially as I am aware of their cursed nature.”
“I do… it just… hurts. I’m scared of going back to Valorya. I don’t want to go there, and I don’t want to cross paths withhim. I have trouble keeping control of my actions, the words leaving my lips.”
The mere thought of facing him, seeing that slightly attractive boyish smile. I shudder involuntarily.
“It’s all lies, darling. It’s the curse that’s moving you, making you speak. Seek him out. The bond between us knows. That’s why it’s fighting against it with all its might, why I am fighting it.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and lovingly caresses my cheek. I lean into his touch, absorbing his words, his faith in me, our love.
“And so will I, my love; it’s you I want. Only you.”
With those words spoken between us, Emrys returns me to the city, leaving me alone to confront my demons—one demon in particular.
As I walk through the city, I notice the absence of fresh dead bodies. Sulking vampires and witches roam the square, unsure why there’s no new supply. None of them is aware that the reason there is no new warm blood available to them is that it is moving among them. As I slip past them, a familiar face appears before me, and I scowl immediately.
“Hey there, Sunshine. What are you doing here, walking around like that all by yourself? Where’s that oversized mosquito of yours?” he says, a smirk on his face as he cranes his neck to see past me.
His flecked hazel eyes lock into mine unapologetically. Despite knowing I am together with Emrys, he is unbothered by all of it, not the least bit intimidated by my gorgeous monster. Pure arrogance, thinking he could steal me away. I scoff.
“You… Stop calling him those idiotic names! You’re such a child. And why shouldn’t I be walking here? I walk here all the time; it’s a damn square; it’s what they are made for,” I bark, challenging him as I cross my arms defensively.
“Well… I would love to tell you all my secrets, but since you’re still involved with that sponge, I can’t trust you… not yet,at least. But just stay out of this square for today. Can you at least do that?”
He wiggles his eyebrows at me as he studies me, and it dawns on me that he’s searching for bite marks, which he will not find since he has no access to those places.Yet—a tiny voice in the back of my head screams, but the idea of his slimy tongue between my legs fills me with disgust.
“What’s wrong, Sunshine? Sensitive topic? Don’t worry. Soon, I’ll spill whatever is on my mind as you hang onto my lips,” he teases, smiling a toothy grin.
“Fine, then don’t tell me shit. Also, stop calling me sunshine! I’m not some pet you can name,” I spit.
