Page 140 of Illusory

“When?” asked Dominic, his tone autocratic.

“It happened once before with Gabriel.” I wished I could’ve offered them something meatier on the topic, but the truth was, I hadn’t given it much thought after it happened other than using it as confirmation that I was in fact a freak of the highest order.

“What does it mean?” asked Trace, a sharp line appearing between his brows. “Do you think it has something to do with her Nephilim blood?”

“That would be my guess,” answered Dominic as the two of them continued to stare at me, their eyes stripping me bare with a haunting intensity.

But this time, for some inexplicable reason, it didn’t make me shrink back or feel uncomfortable. In fact, it did the opposite of that.

Maybe it was the blood I’d lost tonight. Or maybe it was because I knew, without a doubt, that they were looking at me with love and not disgust—with wonder, not fear. Any doubts I had about myself were mine alone, and honestly, I wasn’t sure there was anything I could do that would make either of them look at me differently. I knew that now.

They had proven it to me time and time again. Hell, just being in my room with them at that moment—not just co-existing, but actually working together—was proof of that. Because when it came to my happiness, there wasn’t much they weren’t willing to do or sacrifice.

“Was there anything in Elspeth’s grimoire about this?” asked Dominic.

“Nothing that I saw, but I wasn’t exactly looking for it.” I shook my head as a cold chill trickled down my back. “I guess we’ll know for sure tomorrow, one way or the other,” I added softly as if saying it any louder might speed up time.

The room buzzed with unsaid questions that neither of them seemed ready to ask, but I knew that they were thinking the same thing I was. That my Ascension was tomorrow. That this was just a small taste of what was to come.

That come tomorrow, everything could be different.

Feeling uneasy, I shuffled over to my dresser and pulled out a fresh, oversized t-shirt and then slipped it on. “Tonight was…a lot. I think we should call it a night and get some rest,” I suggested, my hands falling back to my sides as I tried to regain some semblance of normalcy. But there was noneto be found in the room saturated with unspoken truths and unfulfilled expectations.

“You ought to heal first,” said Dominic as Trace worked his jaw muscle. “You lost a lot of blood tonight.”

I shook my head because healing meant choosing, and choosing only ever brought them hurt. Besides, drinking vampire blood at this hour would only energize me, and frankly, I was already miserable and unsatiated enough without throwing that into the equation. “I think I’ll just wait until morning. Who knows, maybe I’ll heal the old-fashioned way.”

He studied me for a long moment, as if trying to read what lay beneath the surface, before finally nodding. “Very well, angel. As you please.” He knew me well enough to know I wasn’t going to change my mind tonight. Instead, he gave me a subtle nod and gestured toward my bed. “After you, then.”

I paused, my brows knitting together as I glanced between the two of them.After me? Did he think he was spending the night in my room? He couldn’t possibly think he was—I cut the thought off, knowing that was exactly what he was thinking. “You’re not sleeping in here,” I announced, half laughing, half terrified at the thought of it.

Being around them as much as I had been lately, without actually being able tohavethem, was torture enough. My hormones were already spiraling out of control, and I really didn’t need to add to my suffering.

“I most certainly am.” A crooked smile tugged at his lips as he walked over to the leather armchair and settled in it. “Your Ascension is hours away, and after the little stunt you pulled tonight, I won’t be letting you out of my sight again. Of that you can be sure.”

“I’m staying too,” added Trace as he crossed his arms like he had no intention of moving from his spot either.

I looked between them again and then dropped my shoulders, not even bothering to put up a fight this time. For one, I knew I wasn’t going to win this one no matter how hard I stomped my feet, nor did I have the energy to do it. But that wasn’t the only reason I gave in so easily.

My Ascensionwasjust hours away and I’d be a liar if I said that didn’t scare me…just a little bit.

“Fine. Suit yourselves,” I said with a forced shrug as I strutted over to my bed, feigning indifference. “That armchair looks mighty small for the two of you, though.”

I may not have been able to kick them out of my room, but I definitely drew the line at my bed.

Trace looked over at Dominic as if to assess the armchair’s maximum weight capacity.

“Not in your wildest dreams, Romeo,” said Dominic as he made himself more comfortable.

“Why the fuck do you get the comfy chair?”

“Because I sat down in it first,” answered Dominic, a smug smirk playing on his face.

Trace’s dimples pinched as he looked over at me and frowned. “I guess I’m taking the floor then.”

A wave of guilt slashed through my stomach at the lost puppy dog look in his eyes. I knew what he was doing, and it was very close to working. He walked around to the other side of my bed and then paused to stare down at his cold, hard sleeping quarters.

“Can I get a pillow at least?” he asked sadly, and then met my eyes, his fingertips resting on his hips.

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