“I’m simply using the skills I have at my disposal,” she says, and I roll my eyes.
The game ends with Zuri taking over half the matches, and Reverie coming in second. So far, things are… going. I wouldn’t necessarily say everyone’s getting along, but they’re not outwardly hating each other, so it’s something at least.
29
VAMPIRE VIBES (NOT LOVING IT)
RAYA
“Alright, anyone need a refill?”I ask, standing up and stretching my arms. “I’ll grab waters all around. Zuri? Give me a hand?”
She shoots a warning glare at Asher before sulking into the kitchen after me.
“Okay, seriously. Can you please give him a chance?” I turn on Zuri as soon as we’re in the other room. “He’s incredible and I won’t have you glaring at him and treating him like some sort of criminal!”
Zuri scoffs, folding her arms across her chest and popping a hip out as she faces me.
“You’re dick whipped. Thatvampirecomes from one of the most evil families in existence. I still can’t believe you brought him here and introduced him to Reverie, knowing who he’s related to! That’s so irresponsible and dangerous, Raya.”
“Stop. Moon above, Z. We’ve talked about this. I brought him so you could get to know him. He’s not like his family, he doesn’t even talk to them. He’s kind, and generous, and a little funny underneath that gruffexterior.”
“I’m going to puke. I can’t listen to you gush about someone like that.” Zuri scrunches her nose.
“He’s met my family,” I say, and Zuri’s eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah, I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d say it was a bad idea. But I took him over for family dinner and he met everyone, even Jo was there. And you know what?”
Zuri’s attitude doesn’t dissipate in the slightest as she raises an eyebrow for me to continue.
“They all loved him.”
She scoffs again. “Right, Josephine loved him, not to mention your mom. Likely story.”
“They did. Asher walked right in and asked Dad to teach him how to cook.”
Zuri jerks her head back at that, blinking as her mind attempts to fit this new information into the picture she’s painted of him.
“Mhm,” I continue, “Jo grilled him and he answered every single question, didn’t balk or flinch once.”
“Even when they asked about his family?”
I school my face so as not to give away the awkwardness of that moment.
“He handled it like a pro,” I say, which he kind of did, looking back on it. It could have gone any number of ways, and none of them better.
“Hmm.” Zuri taps her fingers on the counter and her eyes flick beyond me, back toward the living area where we left Asher and Reverie.
“You know I’d never put Rev in danger. I wouldn’t have brought him here if I didn’t trust him,” I say, my voice softening. “Please, give him a chance. You said you trusted me.”
Zuri sniffs once, then nods her compliance. “One chance.”
My shoulders relax and we refill the empty glasses before returning to the other room.
When we walk in, I grin with glee. Reverie is on top ofAsher’s head with her hands buried in his dark hair, sparkling laughter tinkling out of her.
“Uhhh, what’s going on guys?” I ask, biting my bottom lip to hold in a laugh at Asher’s face.
He looks slightly terrified, like he’s trying hard not to move a single muscle for fear of scaring off the flighty sprite in his hair.
“He’s so hot,” Reverie says, looking directly at me as her tiny hands trail through his hair. “And look, he’s letting me play with his hair! You hardly ever let me play with your hair.”
