Page 52 of All Your Bloody Lies

I sense her defiance, yet she remains silent, wrenching her arm free from my grasp before turning away. With an eye roll, I focus on preparing the sandwich.

“Turkey,” I hear her murmur just as the stool is pulled back, and she takes a seat. Though she can’t see it, a smile creeps across my face. She’s a constant pain in my ass, but one I can’t seem to resist. Chasing her across state lines might just be the best decision I’ve ever made.

The sandwich is simple, perhaps the most basic she’ll ever eat—turkey, cheese, and mustard between two slices of white bread. But it’s something.

I place it on a plate and set it down in front of her, accompanied by a glass of tomato juice. Her reaction catches me off guard as she looks at me with something akin to awe. “Tomato... juice?” she questions, surprised.

I nod, “Try and eat.”

She takes a bite, and I can discern from her expression that she either doesn’t like it or isn’t feeling well and simply doesn’t want to eat. I can’t mess up a sandwich, so I don’t feel guilty if she just isn’t enjoying it.

She finishes the juice, licking her lips. “I’ll be fine. Maybe I’m just not hungry. I’ve felt like this before, just not in a long time.”

“When was the last time?” I ask, trying my best not to portray my concern.

A soft sigh escapes her, and she pushes the plate toward me. I take it out of her sight. “Last time was when I overfed myself, but I’m not overfed now. That’s the only difference.” She crosses her legs andleans against the counter, her head in her hands. I want her to keep talking, but I understand her lack of trust, and I can’t blame her.

“Xera,” I say gently, catching her gaze, “you can talk to me, but I’m not a therapist, so don’t expect any magical words from me.”

“I already pay for one of those, I don’t need another.” Her head drops again, looking down into the cracks of the marble. “I barely talk with her, you think I’ll open up to you? You’re more delusional than I thought.”

“Do you talk with Sydni? What is the—”

“Oh, SHIT!” She shoots up so fast it even startles me. “Where is my phone?!”

I guess I forgot to let her know, “It broke when you dropped it. Your phone was old anyway, I’ll buy you a new one.”

She spots mine resting on the counter to her right, and with an abruptness that surprises me, she demands, “Your phone, can I use it?”

I nonchalantly shrug, “Sure.” Before I can blink, she snatches it up so swiftly it’s a wonder it doesn’t go flying. Finding that it’s locked, she impatiently gestures for me to unlock it. “19879,” I offer. It takes a few taps for the code to appear.

“Now that your fingerprints are all over the place, I’ll lift a set, and put it into my phone so you can just press the button to unlock it,” I playfully tease.

“You’re so fuckingWEIRD!“ she shouts, her frustration echoing in the room, as she abruptly turns and strides away from the kitchen, disappearing into the living room.

“Syd?”

I can hear her friend on the other end, “Holy frick-balls Phiny-bear! Where have you been?! I’ve been worried sick!” Before Xeraphine can get a word out Sydni is continuing, “Whose phone is this? Where is your phone? It still shows you’re next to Eldritch! Did you see Tali?!”

“For fucks sakes, woman, shut up!” Xeraphine growls, “I’m fine. My phone broke, and no… I think I’m back in Sidence.” She glances over at me, and I give her a nod. “This is…” she hesitates.

“This isn’t Tyson’s phone, who are you with?”

She bites her lip, and I’m needy. I want to bite it.

“It’s… Kairhyse’s…” Her tone was nearly inaudible for me to hear, so when Sydni screams ‘WHAT’ I’m not surprised. “It’s Kairhyse’s. The Vampire. It’s hisphone.”

“Oh…”

“Syd…” Her tone was a gentle plea.

“My…”

“Shut up!” The way her head fell back as she plops herself onto my couch, makes me chuckle.

“GODS!!!! TELL ME EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW!”

18

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