Page 24 of Hunger & Harmony

“I wouldn’t even dream of dallying,” I respond as I stand again.

Her laughter follows me as I walk from the dining and kitchen area. You could easily fit a group of eight in here. Eleven hours is going to breeze by with six of us spread out.

Selene and Ryel lounge on opposite sides of the leather couch. He’s scrawling something in a notebook, too engrossed to notice me. Given that Selene was wearing headphones with her eyes closed, though, maybe he’s ignoring me on purpose.

“Can I get you anything?” I ask them.

“My hairbrush and some Type A,” she says.

Ryel continues pretending I don’t exist, so I don’t bother pushing. After sourcing Selene’s carry-on bag and favorite blood from the mini-fridge, I hand her the matte brush. Long strands of silver thread through the black bristles, and it oddly reminds me of when my parents groom our family cat, Misty.

Selene is stunning. It’s hard to believe she’s even more so without her eyes lined and lips painted. Ryel is just as casual, his dyed-red hair pulled up into a small ponytail, and a black hoodie set on his sturdy frame.

After fixing her hair, she tosses the brush my way. Effectively dismissed, I return her bag and continue my search for the remaining members.

Deeper in the bus, I spot the bathroom door locked. I really hope it’s Niko in there. I don’t see anyone in the remaining bunks or hanging by the closets.

As if my life were one bad punchline, the master bedroom doors suddenly open to reveal Niko peeking out. Childish as he is, he immediately slams the doors shut upon seeing me. I roll my eyes. Disappointing, but not surprising.

“Lookin’ for me?”

To my delight, the bathroom door slides open before I even think about knocking on Niko’s.

“Yup,” I say, popping the ‘p’ for good measure. “Anything I can get you?”

“What’s your blood type?” Ezren asks with a wink.

I snort.

“Actually . . .” I shrug. “No clue.”

“Don’t worry, I can smell it,” he says, sauntering up to me playfully. “Might have to give Type O more consideration.”

It’s then that his eyes flick down to the shirt I’m wearing. His fangs gleam proudly as he grins.

“Especially since you accepted my gift.”

There’s a mysterious thump from inside the bedroom. A string of muffled curses behind those black doors, too. Ezren glances over before his smile turns mischievous.

“You know what that means, right?”

A tattooed arm swings over my shoulders. I burst into giggles as he pulls me in, his hug chaste but his tone disgustingly cheesy.

“You’re mine now,” he sing-songs so loudly, I’m sure one could hear it from the moon.

Not even half a beat later, the bedroom doors slam open.

“Oh! I didn’t know you were there, Your Majesty,” Ezren says, his faux innocence cracking me up.

When he steps out, Niko’s eyes drop to my chest. It’s brief, but enough to notice. His jaw clenches, and the wooden doors look like they’re going to give way where he’s gripping.

“I’m trying to rest,” Niko hisses.

His disheveled hair and tired scowl are proof of that.

“My bad,” I say, holding back most of my snark. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Leave.”