Page 20 of Corvus and the Broken God

He poured us each a glass of mead. “Please, have a seat by the fire.”

I took the seat left of the fireplace and looked at my friend. Mindy took in the medieval setting with her usual poise, choosing the chair across from me. My Monster took his time before joining us. First, he lit the candles around the room, and then he knelt next to me, setting the kindling and the logs carefully. The fire blazed hot in the chilly room. Was he trying to impress us? Doubtful, but why go to all this effort? Then again, it was the same effort he went to for his friend.

He is not my friend.

Why are you reading my thoughts?

Because you think loudly. And I want to know why you came back.

Instead of answering, I dug through my bag. My fingers sorted the detritus of my old life until they found my phone. I pulled up the photograph of my face Mindy and I deemed good enough to model me after. I held it out to him. He stood, glanced at it, and then walked away, leaving me holding it out toward his back. He finally sat down in a chair across from us, facing the fireplace.

Mindy leaned toward me. “Did you guys just have one of those silent conversations you told me about?”

“Sort of. He’s been listening to my thoughts.”

“Oh.”

Yeah. Disconcerting.

“Melinda, would it be acceptable if, after we get you settled into a comfortable room, Corvus and I have a private chat?”

“You have comfortable rooms in this ruin?” I asked.

He actually laughed, a deep sound resonating in my core. I didn’t know he was capable of genuine laughter. And what was more disturbing was how much I liked it.

“I’ll get your room ready,” he said to Mindy. And then he was gone.

I tasted the mead, which up until this point I had just been holding, the goblet growing heavy in my hand. The liquid inside was cool and spicy, with only the slightest hint of sweetness. I turned to my friend.

“Wow,” she said. “I mean, I know he has horns and wings and all that, but he is seriously hot. You forgot to mention that part.”

“I told you his features were well-defined.” Had I been ashamed to admit my attraction? Oh god, I was attracted to him. Somewhere deep down lay buried the truth I hadn’t been willing to face. Wasn’t it wrong to be physically drawn to someone outside my own species? To an ancient god? Or was it a normal reaction?

She shook her head, eyes laughing. “Not the same, and you know it. You also forgot to mention he seems to like you a lot.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, I do. Come on, Freya. It’s obvious. He likes you.”

I shook my head and then took another drink of mead. “He’s being a hundred times nicer to you…”

“My point exactly.” She raised her eyebrows.

“But why would he like me?”

This time, she was the one who looked surprised.

Luckily, I was spared from having to continue this embarrassing conversation when the door opened at the far end of the room.

“Melinda, let me show you to your room.”

She stood and went after him with a knowing look in my direction. I fell in behind them, following at a distance, curious to hear what he had to say and to see this part of the house. Unlike the front and side wings, which were barren and neglected, this section was warmer, lacking the holes made by broken windows. I could feel warm air coming from somewhere. The room I caught a glimpse of as we passed had furniture, complete with leaded glass windows, heavy drapes, and rugs. Everything looked well-maintained. Was the front simply a ruse to keep trespassers from knowing this was a habited place?

Yes, Corvus, you are onto my secret.

But why? You could just turn any trespassers into animals and keep them here as company.

I only do that on special occasions.