Page 58 of Hunger & Harmony

“No worries,” my mom says, her facade snuffed out. “We won’t stay where we’re not wanted.”

“Sherry—”

“You heard her, Dale,” she says, giving my dad a hard stare. “Vampires are normal.”

She says the word like it’s venom in her mouth. I’m completely blindsided by their hatred for vampires. This whole time, I thought it was only music. But as they stride away, and I shakily sit back down, my eyes drop.

I half-scoff, half-laugh as I glance over the plate they ordered me. A big breakfast, with chocolate pancakes at the heart of it. My least favorite.

Not only do they not know me, but maybe I don’t know them. I chew over that thought with a slice of bacon, letting my mind entertain it. The night the wrong notes were the loudest weaves with each thought.

Rather, what I don’t remember from it. The truth of what happened.

Whether or not my parents are keeping that from me.

“You should’ve told us your blood was entangled in this place.”

The elevator doors just opened, and Ryel’s standing there like he’s been waiting. Before I can form a response, Selene speaks from behind him.

“Is it not clear how blindsided she was?”

I peer around his lanky form to look at her. She’s not warm, but she is rational. She’s fair.

After stepping off the elevator, Ryel reels back like I’m contaminating his air. Nothing can get to me right now, though. The worst has already happened.

“How can we trust her?” he snaps, and her eyes narrow.

“It isn’t up to us.”

Static hangs in the air, like a storm of wrong notes threatening to spike from his rigid body.

“If you don’t trust her, that’s your burden to bear.” Selene looks me in the face, nodding shortly. “She has otherwise proven loyalty.”

Why does it feel like a medieval knight just bowed to me? It’s been such a shitty day, but I don’t lose sight of the significance of her defending me. Not just for Niko, either.

“I appreciate it, Sel.”

I didn’t even notice him to the left, leaning against the wall. Ryel apparently didn’t either, as his scowl dissolves immediately. It’s good to know he at least won’t disrespect me with Niko right there.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” she says, a knight before her king.

“I’ll take it from here,” he says, dismissing them both.

It’s only after they’ve disappeared up the hall that I face Niko. I’m not ashamed, but I’m definitely sheepish.

“I’m—”

“Don’t say sorry.”

He stares at me, with neither pity in his gaze nor understanding. I take a step towards him, trying to read that expression.

“My mother was between worlds, too,” he says, and I pause.

It shatters me when the pieces fall together.

Heartbreak curves his lips downward as he closes the space between us. His hands are stiff with worry, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear as he envelopes me. I settle into his arms, my fingers bunching up the back of his leather jacket.

His mother loved stars and found comfort in humans. His mother is gone. Echoes of my parents’ words from earlier bubble up, and I physically feel the gap between us widen. My throat tightens, and I sniffle into his chest.