“Mhm?” I look up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
“Talk to me, sunshine. What’s going on in that brain of yours?”
“Oh, no. Nothing. Well, I mean.”
I snap my mouth closed and take a deep breath through my nose, then glance around to ensure there isn’t anyone nearby. I tug Asher into an alcove to give us a little extra privacy.
“Okay. But… there’s something you need to know first," I say, glancing up at him as I twist my fingers together. He squeezes one of my hands in his to still the nervous movement.
“And what’s that?”
“I’ll tell you, but first you have to promise you won’t tell anyone.”
“Okay, promise.”
“No, Asher. I mean it.” I meet his gaze and hold it, steeling my spine. “You can’t breathe a single word to anyone. Not your friends, not your family, literally no one. Swear it.”
His eyebrows draw together as his eyes ping between mine.
“I swear it. I don’t have anything sacred to swear by, so I swear it on you, Raya. My sunshine, I promise I won’t disclose your secrets to anyone.”
My cheeks pink at the notion that I’m the most important thing in his world right now, but I don’t let myself get sidetracked. His eyes are clear and serious, with no hint of deception,so I take the leap and decide to trust him with my biggest secret.
“Technically, I live with two others. Zuri, as you know, is a vampire.”
Asher slowly nods once, his eyes not leaving mine.
“The other… is a sprite.”
Silence. I could hear a pin drop, but as it is all I hear is my heart pounding. Finally, Asher replies.
“A sprite? Raya, those have been extinct for… I don’t even know how long.”
I slowly shake my head, still holding his gaze so he knows I’m serious.
“Not all of them. There’s at least one, and her name is Reverie. She lives with us, and we take care of her. We keep her safe and secret from the world, to avoid putting her in danger.”
He stares at me. His face is blank and he doesn’t react, not one single muscle twitch.
“Ash?” I lightly touch his cheek with my fingertips.
“Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?”
I pinch my lips together. This is not going well. I reach up with both hands to cup his face, brushing my thumbs along the stubble of his jaw before I pull him down until he’s eye level with me. I ensure my voice is strong, quiet, calm, and clear as I speak.
“Hear me, Asher. She’s real. She’s alive. And she’s mine to protect. By sharing this secret with you, she’s becoming yours to protect, too. Please don’t tell me I’ve put my trust in the wrong person.”
My eyes flit back and forth between his, and I watch as the realization dawns on him, his face transforming. His lips part, but no sound comes out, and his eyebrows can’t seem to decide if they want to furrow or chase his hairline. Blinking rapidly, he pulls out of my grasp and turns around, shoving hishands into his hair. Asher takes two steps away before spinning around to face me again.
“You’re serious.”
“I’m serious.”
He turns away again and bends over, resting his hands on his knees as he stares across the street. I chew on my cheek as I wait for him to come to terms with this information. It’s unbelievable; I know it is, and if I were in his shoes I probably wouldn’t believe it either.
Finally, Asher swipes a hand down his face and turns back to me.
“I won’t tell a soul," he says.
