I made a tight fist, tugging gently at my arm; he didn't let go. “Ethlyn, I'm starting to freak out a little here. I need you to—to tell me that I'm crazy, because I just had a thought.”
His fine eyebrows crawled up, that mouth a puckered line. “What are you talking about?”
Swallowing, my pulse thumping insanely fast, I tried to look him in the eye again.
I couldn't, not anymore.
“Do you... oh, God.” I lowered my voice to a bare hush. “Do you like me, the way you're freaking out over me and Nethiun, I...”
He let me go, leaving marks on my skin that soon turned pink as blood returned. “If I say yes, what will you do?”
Oh, shit shit shit shit.
Moving like I was stuck in honey, I tugged my bag over my shoulder and stood. I couldn't look away from him, as if I expected him to do something rash. “Ethlyn, no. No, you can't feel that way about me.”
“Why not?” he hissed, pouting like a child being denied a toy. “You don't get to decide how I feel.”
“You're... you're not even...”
“What?” His mouth twisted into a disgusted sneer. “'Human'? Is that what you were about to say?”
Shaking my head in a daze, I tried to find the words, the right words, to smooth everything over. To return it to normal, to god damn normal.
Everything had been normal until then, again, hadn't it? “No, I was going to say you aren't listening to me. You can't feel that way about me because I don't... I don't feel like that about you.”
That stopped him, a stoic look taking over so quickly it surprised me. “So, you can love someone like Nethiun, who is so far away from being human it's astounding, but not someone like me, who's at least trying?”
What does that mean... trying to be human?
“I never said I love him, Ethlyn. But what are you talking about, how can you be 'more' human than him?”
He leaned back in his chair, eyeing me with that same emotionless face. “How do you think I bought you that cocoa?”
I hadn't considered that, but now that he pointed it out, I stared at the empty cups on the table. Last night, Nethiun couldn't even buy me a dollar priced snack. How DID he get us drinks?
Before I could ask further, he dug into his pocket and pulled out a wallet. Peeling it open, he showed me the money inside. “I've got cash, I'm going to this college, and I even have a real ID. That's how I'm more human than he is. Gale, I can pass as a human, I can do all of it.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came.
Ethlyn buried the wallet away, a frail smile spreading over his face. “See? I want to help you, to keep you safe. To be with you. And I'd be a better fit, I—”
“No.” It was a simple word, but it was all I had.
“No?” he asked, blinking
I let my eyes wander to his, taking in his unease, his anxiety. He is far more human, isn't he? Why is that? “That's not what I'm using, some sort of weird humanity gauge. You don't get to decide who's better for me, Ethlyn. You just don't. Whatever I feel for Nethiun, it isn't your business.”
The twaelin sat there, saying nothing.
Hoisting my backpack, I turned partially away, ready to escape the awkward situation. “I'm sorry you feel the way you do about me, Ethlyn. You hardly know me, and I don't get why you'd like someone like me at all, but... I don't feel that way about you. I'm sorry for that.”
Hanging his head, he glared off to the side at nothing. His voice was soft, cracking. I realized it sounded like he might break down, and almost panicked. “I'm sorry, too. I don't... I'm just sorry.”
I didn't know what else to do. My feet made the choice for me.
Turning, I walked away, my mood drowned in the most discomfort I could ever imagine.
I'd never had to turn someone down, and I didn't want to face that feeling ever again.
Chapter 17.
Nethiun
I'd never, as far as I could ever, ever remember, wanted anything more than I wanted Gale Everette.
When I'd tasted her lips, her sweet anxiety, her exquisite exhilaration as I carried her over the ocean... it still wasn't enough.
After that moment, cradling her in the wild onyx skies that screamed around us, promised us rain but never gave it, I couldn't get her out of my head.
I'd taken her to her dorm, then escaped away from the energy inside that frail human body that begged to pull me closer.
My thoughts were in a fog; it was the first time I regretted the inability to sleep. Perhaps that would have been some relief from my aching hunger for more of the girl.
Am I becoming obsessed? Or am I already wallowing in it?
Sitting on the roof of her campus' library, I watched the red-head as she wandered through the bitter-chill. Ducking in her jacket, darting between buildings whenever it was required, I never let her out of my sight.
Especially not when I saw her with Ethlyn. I liked that least of all.
What is the Corpse King's servant doing with Gale, I wonder?
Like a gargoyle, I sat on the roof, awaiting her appearance. Eventually, Gale slipped through the doors of the food court, heading towards her dorm on quick feet.
Her head was down, pushing into the strong wind that tugged at her wild hair.
I could have sat there, waited for a better moment to ask her what had happened. That wasn't what I desired, though.
I'd lost my patience somewhere on the path of becoming ravenous for the girl.
Flickering out of existence, I jumped through the thin walls of human reality. Bouncing into my own, it only took me a second of wandering in the grey before I shifted into Gale's room.
Her back was to me, arms sliding from her jacket as she let it fall to the floor. Before it landed, I caught it.
The lack of sound drew her attention, those baffled eyes landing on me with bursting shock. “Nethiun!” she cried out, freezing in place.
I lifted her jacket high, planning to tease her about being so sloppy. I never managed it, not when she spun around to throw her arms around my neck.
That kiss, the soaring, consuming ball of her hot emotions; it overtook me. Closing my eyes, I pulled her close, sinking into the moment I'd been hoping for since the last had ended days ago at sea.
“Nethiun,” she said again, breaking away enough to speak. “I thought—for a moment, I expected you to be Ethlyn.”
“Did you?” I asked, debating on acting dumb. But I was too curious, I didn't want to play games about what the servant was up to. “I saw him following you. What did he want?”
She fell back onto her heels, hands sliding down till they rested on my forearms. The guilt that surrounded her, it was sour and made me uneasy. “Ethlyn was... he was sort of trying to tell me to keep away from you, only this time, I don't think it was just about how 'dangerous' you are. I mean, I know it was about more than that.”
Canting my head, I smoothed the frizzy bits of hair on her forehead. “Do tell, what was it about then?”
“Ugh, saying it is hard,” she laughed nervously. “Um, Ethlyn sort of admitted that he had feelings for me. It was really weird.”
That information surprised me, but what surprised me more was the immense twisting of hot jealousy that raged in me. Gale saw it, or perhaps sensed it; I couldn't be sure. “Are you mad?” she asked.
“Anger isn't quite right,” I mused softly. “I'm a little surprised at him for being so blunt, though.” Does he sense it, too? The energy in Gale, the pulling temptation? He must... how could he not?
“Well,” she shrugged, “I sort of got it out of him. He was being strange.” She trailed off, looking to the side. “He did something that bothered me, actually.”
&nbs
p; Stroking my thumb over her cheek, my mind fought down the image of hunting down Ethlyn right then. Warning him away from the girl who, if it wasn't clear to him yet, I'd already decided was mine. “Go on.”
Gale pulled back, sitting on the edge of her bed and looking up at me. “Nethiun, how would a twaelin get money?”
“Money?”
“Yeah. Money, identification, stuff like that. Would they just steal it?”
Ah. Now I understand. “He didn't tell you, then.” Reaching up, I scratched at my temple with a tiny smile. “He's so misguided, that one.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You're talking about Ethlyn, obviously. He went so far to try and show you how 'human' he is, correct? I'd been thinking about it for a bit, how he's going around calling himself 'Ethan' and such. Tell me,” I said, moving closer to her, “that was what his ID said, yes?”
Biting her lip, she made a tiny noise. “Honestly, I didn't get a good look at it. Why, would it be bad if it did?”
“Bad isn't the word, more like... expected?” She stared at me, so I continued. “You don't know how twaelin change their appearance. I never explained it to you fully.”
That lovely face of hers, it twisted with an anxious grin. “You're starting to weird me out here, Nethiun. What are you trying to say?”
Sitting beside her on the bed, I sighed quietly. “I didn't really want to tell you, if I'm honest. Gale, if a twaelin wants to change their whole appearance, to become someone else, we must...” I waved a hand, thinking of the right word. “Consume that human.”
She gaped at me, unmoving. “Nethiun, what the hell do you mean, consume?”
Wincing, I sensed the flux in her emotions moving to something more full of fear. “I mean what it sounds like. If my guess is correct, Ethlyn consumed a human boy by the name of Ethan, thus getting his body, as well as whatever the contents of his wallet would have been. He's essentially become whoever Ethan was.”
Gale bent over, hugging her middle. “Oh god, it's like invasion of the body snatchers.”
“It's what, now?”
“I—nothing, it's a movie. Please tell me you're kidding, you guys... you eat people? I thought you just ate emotions or whatever, human energy?”
Shaking my head, I set my hands on the edge of the mattress. “We don't need to consume humans, not at all. But if Ethlyn was trying to infiltrate as deeply, for whatever reason, as he is... then it would make more sense to take over someone's skin.”
“Please don't call us skins,” she muttered. Abruptly, she coursed with a streak of disgust, aimed right at me. “You told me before, your Mistress made you like you are, right?”
Lifting my hands like she might attack me, I nodded quickly. “Indeed. I've never had to consume a human in all my years, my form has been more than fine for what she has asked of me.”
“So... I still don't get it, why would Ethlyn bother with all of that?” Her face was pale as cheese, she still seemed to be fighting the urge to be sick. “I can't—are you sure he killed someone, is that what it had to have been?”
“No, I can't be entirely positive. It's unlikely he'd get a body like that any other way, though.”
“It just seems so... so needless.”
Yes, it does. I'm still not grasping what would make him bother with it.
We sat there, the air around us uncomfortable. “I'm sorry to have to tell you about all of this,” I whispered.
Gale kept staring at her lap, like there was an answer there for her to find. “It's not your fault. I'm glad I do know, even if it's disturbing. I won't lie... I'm glad you told me you didn't get your body by 'consuming' someone or whatever.” Glancing at me, she gave a weak smile. “I'd feel awful, knowing I'd been kissing a corpse.”
Grinning, I reached out to take her hand. “Ah, but kissing a 'demon' is just fine?”
“You're not a demon. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, but perception is everything.” Chuckling, I placed my lips on her temple; quick, soft. The blush it left on her was divine. “Have you eaten yet?”
Shaking her head, she coiled her fingers tightly in mine. “Not really, and my appetite isn't so great right now.”
“No?” I asked, my tone burning with feigned shock. “Is there a chance you're not Gale, but some skin-snatcher yourself?”
Laughing, she bumped her shoulder into mine. “Stop, don't tease. I don't have any money for dinner, not for both of us, anyway.”
“You know I don't need to eat,” I said. “But, I had a better idea anyway. Would you like to come with me and get something without worrying over money? I do owe you, after all, for the snack you got me at the festival.”
Glancing at the door, like someone might walk in, she nodded. “Alright, you're on. Where are we going?”
“That,” I whispered, curling her into my lap with ease, ignoring her small gasp of argument, “is a surprise.”
With that, we vanished from the room, leaving her jacket behind. Where we were going, she wouldn't need it.
Chapter 18.
Gale Everette
When you lose the sense of smell, of anything, you notice the world much fuller when it comes back.
It's even better when the things you smell are fresh, bright and wonderful.
Nethiun held me close, the two of us standing in the middle of a field. The scent of citrus was so strong, it made me moan in delight.
All around us were tall orange trees, swollen fruit hanging off in clumps. It was a glorious sight; it made my stomach rumble. “Where are we?”
“Does it matter?” he asked, setting me on my feet.
No, I thought in a daze, I guess it doesn't. Turning in a circle, I stared up at the fresh food and laughed. “This is amazing, you weren't kidding. This is a fantastic surprise, Nethiun.”
The twaelin just smiled, watching me.
Reaching up, I tugged an orange off of a low hanging branch. “Is it really okay for us to eat these?”
“I don't think anyone will notice,” he mused. “It's a rather empty field, after all.”
“I guess,” I mumbled, fighting the guilt of thinking I might be stealing with my hunger. In the end, my stomach won out.
Sitting on the grass, the sky above was still grey with clouds, but it wasn't anywhere near cold outside. Wherever we are, it's warm enough for oranges to grow.
Digging my nails into the skin, I peeled the fruit eagerly. Nethiun sat down beside me, studying me as I broke through to the flesh of the orange. A spritz of juice hit him in the cheek, making me giggle. “Sorry about that.”
“Maybe I shouldn't get so close,” he said, wiping his face.
Together, we sat under the trees, peeling out segments of orange and stuffing them in our mouths. It was perfect, it took my mind off of the horrifying news from before.
Grinning, tart sweetness on my tongue, I offered him another slice. “So, do you like oranges?”
He took it from me, eating it slowly before speaking. “I like savory things better, I think. But, these are still very good.”
“By the way, I was wondering.” Carefully, I peeled the pith of the fruit from under my nails. “You 'eat' emotions. But, um, you do have emotions yourself, right?”
“Certainly. Did you think I didn't?” he asked, amused.
I studied the texture of the orange peel too intently. Now I feel kind of silly. “Alright, okay. But why absorb human emotions at all? Is it needed, like, water to living things?”
“Not exactly. Servants utilize the energy from human emotions to... recharge, in a way. We expend our own power through shifting, flying, attacking. It's a way to feed it back in without draining more from our source.” Shrugging, he rea
ched for another bit of orange. “In theory, we could go without. But it's invigorating to taste emotions, addicting sometimes.”
I don't understand, really. Why do the twaelin even exist, do they have a purpose?
“Is it much different, eating food compared to eating... you know, that stuff?”
Nethiun licked his thumb, giving me a curious look. “They're not anything alike.”
Blinking, I inched closer to him, the outside of my thigh touching his. “Tell me, I want to know.”
His chuckle was low, a smokey sound. “Are you sure? You didn't seem so keen to learn about the skin changing earlier.”
I grimaced, then wiped my hands on my pants. “After that, I think I can handle anything.”
The twaelin considered me for a very long time. I didn't break the silence, though. I thought if I waited, I would be rewarded with the information I wanted.
In a way, I was right.
Reaching out, Nethiun took my hands. Turning them over, he exposed the inside of my arms. “I'll try to explain, but I admit, it is difficult with words. Do you mind if I use touch to help express what it's like to sense, to eat, emotional energy?”
My heart jumped a mile. “Sure, go ahead.”
With intensity deep in his frosty-white eyes, Nethiun dragged his finger tips lightly down my flesh. From inside my elbow, down to my wrist, he took his time. My goosebumps were immediate. “When you get nervous around me, your energy... it feels like this, a sort of tickle. It itches, in a way, makes me desire more.”
I swallowed around my tongue, too stunned to say anything. I just nodded, encouraging him to keep going.
His thumb traced over my palms, sliding between each nook of my fingers, one by one. “Here, anxiety, similar to nervousness. It tugs at me more, like being tapped over and over.”
This is... this getting a little...
Leaving my arms alone, Nethiun grabbed my chin, forcing my head to the side. It was so fast, so intense, I only vaguely heard my sharp shout. His breath washed over my throat, light and hot. “This,” he whispered, “is your fear. It pulses, when I taste it. It's warm, it makes me foggy.”
Maybe Fate: A Novel (New Adult Paranormal Romance) Page 17