I’m on a long stretch of highway leading south out of the city, and it’s relatively empty considering the time of day. My brain is still foggy from sleep, and I’m so caught up in the pull that I don’t notice another motorcycle on the road until they’re right next to me.
I startle when the other biker pulls up alongside me, doing a double take and blinking to clear my vision. Then I recognize the black and purple bike, the matching black helmet with purple face shield, and the cocky, playful demeanor of the person riding it as belonging to Ro.
I shake my head, frustrated at the zip of excited adrenaline that prickles across my skin, and push the throttle. I lean into it, bowing over my handlebars as I floor it and the engine roars. I hear his wild laugh as I zoom past him, or perhaps I just sense it, somehow knowing that would be his reaction.
My mirrors show him zig-zagging behind me, frolicking on his bike before he holds up a hand. I glance ahead, then back in the mirror, squinting to see what he’s doing.
He’s holding up three fingers, and he pumps his hand in the air once, now holding up only two. My breath catches in my chest. I look ahead, then back to the mirror. Ro motions again, now holding up one finger. Tingles of adrenaline spark as my heart skips and then races.
Ro slams his hand down and flattens his body to his bike. I don’t react quickly enough, underestimating his burst of speed, and he catches me in seconds. He zooms ahead, and a whooping laugh reaches my ears.
I shake my head with a grin, knowing he can’t see my expression. I eye him on his bike, the tight grip of his hands and the way his thighs hug the seat. My brain provides a drool-worthy visual of what he might look like without a shirt on, back and arm muscles rippling as he maneuvers around me.
It feels like my eyes are glued to him as he drops back, pulling up next to me again. I ignore him for a moment, forcing a neutral expression back on my face. When I glance to the left, he’s pushed his face shield up, a smile in his eyes. They’re dancing with mirth, and he does a little shimmy with his shoulders when we make eye contact. My gaze darts away, back to the road ahead as I pinch my lips, forcing them to remain in a straight line.
He slows, falling behind me again. I frown, eyebrows drawing together as I watch him increase the distance between us in my mirror. What is he doing?
I realize after a few minutes that he’s simply back to following me. I guess he had his fun, and now… what? My curiosity peaks as my brain stumbles over the conundrum that is Ro—Foras Astaroth Cromwell. I can’t believe I remembered that ridiculous name.
But why is he so interested in me? He can’t know about my ability. Almost no one does with it being such a tightly guarded secret.
Outside of my absent mother, only the man who blackmails me is aware, having somehow figured it out. I’ve long accepted that I wasn’t as careful as I should have been when I was so desperate for cash that I decided to wander to the seedier parts of town to sell the most precious thing I had. I’ve never felt so ashamed as I did that day, handing over some of the first stardust I’d ever collected on my own.
It’s at this moment that I notice the renewed ache in my bones, and realize that cursed pull on my soul receded while I was playing with Ro.
I blink, glancing in my mirrors to ensure he’s still behind me. How did he do that? Never before when I’ve been taken by the pull have I been able to ignore or shake it for any length of time.
He’s an absolute mystery.
Ro’s ability to distract me, to make me feel things I’ve never felt before and long thought myself incapable of feeling. Not to mention his bizarre fixation on me. Hemusthave heard rumors. There are stories about my ancestors, the star-chasers, and he must have put two-and-two together while following me these last couple weeks. My heart plummets as my thoughts churn.
I mean honestly, what else would I be doing digging in the dirt in the middle of nowhere, especially that first night at a very obvious impact site?
I growl into my helmet, frustrated with my lack of self preservation. Icannothave given away my secret so easily for asecond time. Even if he hasn’t figured it out, I have no way of avoiding him following me now. My star-chaser curse won’t let me deviate from the path, and Ro isn’t going to stop following me. It’s wide open fields with small patches of trees interspersed—not much room for losing a tail.
Curses tumble from my lips, but all I can do is keep going, so I push the throttle and hope I can ditch him with speed. I refuse to look behind me again, ignoring the infuriating man following me as I continue to follow the urge in my blood.
10
HOW NOT TO FLIRT WITH A DEMON
Ro
This isso. Fun.
She’s hot as fuck on that motorcycle, now that I can see her in the light of day for once. It’s making my pants a bit tight, nearing uncomfortable on my bike, but I don’t care. I’m hooked, addicted even though I haven’t tasted her yet. I’d follow my little flame, my shooting star, to the ends of the earth. Wherever she wants to lead me, I’ll follow.
Though I am a bit confused about where she’s taking us today.
She seems to really like… the middle of nowhere? But like, different nowheres.
Each time I’ve followed her, it’s been to a new location, and a couple times, she’s ended up digging in the dirt and carrying a bag of it back with her. I have no idea what that’s about, and I puzzle it over in my head as I weave back and forth behind her.
Oh, oh! Maybe she’s an archaeologist? A geologist!
My heart skips at having a solid lead on what her professional life might look like. I bet she’s smart as a whip. I wouldn’t haveguessed she’d be the science-y type, she simply doesn’t give off that vibe, but maybe she just really loves rocks.
My eyes roam, taking in the bland scenery around me. I’ve never been down this way before. We’re hours south of Chicago, and yet she shows no signs of slowing. I hope she stops for gas soon, my stomach is protesting the long drive with no snack breaks. Regardless, I’m happy to be spending time with her.
