Page 37 of Hunger & Harmony

“Hey, some of us are human,” I mumble, and his short laugh warms my heart.

I’m not sure when the night sky disappears behind my eyelids. My heartbeat and breathing even out, and at some point, I swear I hear singing. Soft, low, beautiful.

His voice caresses my dreams, and I hold on as long as I can to hear him. It’s an unfinished melody that dips into simple humming. So gentle.

This can’t be the vampire king whose voice brings mortals to their knees. I don’t believe it. No matter what Viola warns me of, there’s an inherent trust in him that I can’t shake.

The last thing I registered was his hand adjusting my head to be more comfortable on him. I drift off with a smile and two hopes in my heart. That he won’t retreat into coldness once I wake up.

And that, even if we explore whatever this is, New Lure won’t destroy us entirely.

9

BUZZ

Honking and the rumbling of highway traffic make a jarring alarm clock. My nose scrunches as I stretch my limbs, an unfamiliar ceiling above me when my eyes blearily blink open.

“Huh?”

I shoot upwards, more awake than a double-shot espresso could achieve. What the hell? Why am I in Niko’s room?

As I stumble out of his bed, impressions of bright constellations and the scent of damp earth trickle back. I’m still in yesterday’s clothes and, more pressingly, Niko’s jacket. Wide-eyed, I nearly trip to peek out of the drawn curtains, realizing we’re in the middle of rush hour. Is it seriously almost sunset again? How long was I asleep?

Nerves bundle in my stomach as I put the curtain back. I slowly turn, eyes dragging from the bed to the closed doors. Shit. I fell asleep on him, and I’m still enveloped in his scent. I could literally live in this soft leather, but . . .

What does this mean?

I don’t have time to assess where our relationship stands right now. Lorelai must be so pissed. Here I was, making a king tend to me on the clock!

Sucking in a breath, I hold courage in my lungs as I cross the room and push the doors open. There’s no one waiting. No termination papers thrown in my face. I shuffle past the bunks and bathroom door, following the hum of quiet activity.

At the heart of the bus, Arteria are spread out. Selene and Ryel sit at the table, his back to me. She doesn’t acknowledge me. My eyes shift to the couch, and I find Ezren splayed out on the left end while Niko reclines to the right. Headphones cover his ears, and his eyes are closed.

Ezren finds my gaze first. He lifts a finger to his lips when I open my mouth, a knowing smirk twisting behind it. When he wiggles his eyebrows, I blink back. I don’t know what he thinks happened, but it can’t be wholesome.

I mouth, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

He gives me a thumbs up before shooing me away.

Tiptoeing up the hallway again, I catch my breath with my back against the bathroom wall. My work phone is my next destination, confirming it really is late in the afternoon. The maps app also says we’re crossing into New Lure proper.

I'd better get ready and catch up on what’s happening. My heart is a mess, but my appearance doesn’t have to be.

Especially knowing how closely the Midnight Court watches. The appointment with Archduchess Imara is slotted right before a high-profile cover shoot on the calendar. The pressure tonight is sky high, not to mention the sold-out show tomorrow. I’ve got to get it together.

Cherry lip gloss and some soft curls in my hair will have to be good enough armor.

My neck cranes back as I look up, up, and even further up. I’ve never felt so small in my life. Both literally and in the sense of being as significant as a gnat.

V-Lur’s headquarters reaches into wisps of clouds. The very top almost kisses the full moon. An ethereal glow casts over the skyscraper, though most of the office windows are already lit.

“Move.”

I hurry out of a tall woman’s way, surprised I even got a word of acknowledgment. Lorelai gestures her hand impatiently at me.

People draped in long, chic coats and bold colors enter and exit the glass entrance with an air of importance. The satisfying click of red-bottomed heels and sleek oxfords cut through New Lure’s downtown buzz. Everyone is so beautiful.

It’s undeniably glamorous. Given V-Lur’s status as Aurea’s top fashion and pop culture magazine, I wouldn't expect anything less.