Page 54 of Zodiac Beasts

Still in the den, I stopped and I asked the question on my mind. “One of the girls in Astrology Club is also an Omega.” He stopped moving, his hand freezing on the key he’d just inserted into the door. “But she’s a full blooded shifter, so I assume it’s different for her.” I chewed on my lip, nervous that he would dodge this question again, but knowing I needed to ask it. “What is it like being a hybrid Omega on nights like tonight?”

I watched as he drew a slow and deep breath into his lungs. His eyes were closed when he turned to face me. He leaned back against the door, with his arms behind his back. “Are you really that curious?” He spoke calmly. I swallowed down my doubt.

“I am.” I managed with some hint of confidence. “As a Beta, every time I’m under a full moon, I shift, but I still look normal and human. I guess because I’m mostly a Virgo. But… honestly, I don’t mind it. I feel more bold and confident, and I stop worrying about consequences. I’ve made myself shift intentionally just to get myself out of my head.”

“Alcohol will give you similar results.” He looked away, and his soft black hair fell over his glasses, completely obscuring his expression. “There’s no reason you should be exposing yourself to dark magic without understanding what it does to yourself or those around you.”

“Those around me?” I shook my head. “My mates are both Alphas. They have to trigger their shift with some arbitrary, vague call back to astrology. Things like going for a swim, or saying or feeling something specific, I guess. They have a choice even when they’ve been exposed to the moon, if they don’t hit their trigger on accident.” Still, he stood with his face obscured. “Do… you have a choice?”

“No.” He said. “No one gets a choice around me.” Ceto lifted his chin, finally giving me a view of his now fully shifted eyes. My breathing hitched as that gaze bore into me.

Chapter 30

“Lila, dear. What are you trying to do exactly?” I asked, but I didn’t release her from my hold to actually allow her to answer. I thought back to my previous night with Marcus. He’d wondered if she could survive my gaze. The question still teased at the back of my mind.

Could she, indeed.

I watched as she tried to speak, but at best she could breathe and her heart was still beating. Though I could take either privilege away if I wanted to.

By the devil, I hated full moons. I would never think such depraved things on a normal night. She was here to celebrate my birthday with me and manage the shop. She wasn’t an Alpha trying to use me. There was no ill intention in her innocent, ignorant mind.

I released her from my gaze before she’d fully understood she was in it.

She shook her head as soon as she was free. “I just want to get to know you better. I feel so lost in this world that all of you guys live in effortlessly, and I at least want to know what kind of troubles the people I care about are dealing with.”

The people she cares about? Does that include me?

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to scare you.” Yes I am. She’d look so good dressed in terror. “I’m just not used to people asking me so many personal questions. I’ve always been very withdrawn, and I’m still coming to terms with the fact that you choose to spend time with me without ulterior motive.” Speaking helped to drown out the intrusive thoughts of the other half of my fucked up star sign. I’d asked her to be here, and yet even without the moon casting its curse over me, these unwelcome thoughts were winning out.

Was that part of Shifter Lila’s soul magic, as well?

I laughed when it fully dawned on me.

Precious, naïve Demon Lila.

A seductive pull, scales, vampiric tendencies, poor eyesight: It was all starting to make sense. I suppose I’d have to thank Marcus for the full moon reconnaissance I couldn’t have done on my own without dire consequences.

Now what was I willing to risk to test this theory?

I continued to lean against the exit. The door was locked. No one would get inside tonight.

Or out.

“Let’s start over.” I adjusted my frames on my nose. “You’re not my enemy and it’s not fair for me to treat you as such. Go ahead and ask me any questions you want, and tonight, I’ll answer them.”

Lila nodded, building her resolve. I’d made what should be such a sweet and pleasant night horrifyingly tense. Neither of us had been exposed to the moon, but that didn’t seem to change the intensity of her pheromones.

I was sure she’d want to know my bloodline, and I was ready to tell her.

“Okay, well, how about something small first.” She pointed to her glasses. “Are you nearsighted or farsighted? Or something else entirely? I’m nearsighted, by the way.” She took off her glasses, foolishly giving me full access to those pretty brown eyes of hers. I assumed her lenses had been enchanted with some sort of magic. I’d be shocked if they weren’t, but it was impossible to know with her. “This is a pretty strong prescription, honestly.”

I chuckled at the question. Cute, and the completely wrong choice for small talk. But I promised I’d answer her, so what else could I do.

I closed my eyes and removed my glasses in kind.

“None of the above. The glasses are to protect others from me.” I caught her gaze before she could pull it away. Before she had a moment to save herself. “Because a Basilisk’s gaze can kill, my little puppet.” Her body froze completely, all the way down to her lungs. “The glasses filter my curse, allowing me to paralyze my prey’s muscles. But without them, I can freeze organs.” I held her heart for a fraction longer than a standard beat, letting her truly feel how easy it would be. Though she hadn’t died yet, confirming another suspicion. “And I have total control of every inch of your flesh and bone, until I choose to give it back.” I closed my eyes just to prove my point. She still couldn’t breathe. While that would ordinarily release her, my magic took longer to dissipate with unfiltered eye contact.

Twenty seconds was probably long enough to get my point across.