Page 133 of Taken By the Fae

Reaching over, I press the button for the lobby without looking away from him. “I’ll see you around,” I say in a low voice.

His response is a curt nod before the door closes and I’m left alone as the elevator descends to the lobby. I’m such a coward. I’m tired—exhausted—of fighting my thoughts and feelings. They’re at war with each other, much like the fae.

I leave the hotel and head for The Iron Lounge, figuring I should share my discovery with Nikolai as well. Plus, I could use a drink.

The pub is closed by the time I get back to campus. I unlock the door and slip inside before locking it again, then head for the hallway that leads to his apartment. Because if he can show up unannounced at my dorm, I can return the favor.

I freeze when I hear muffled voices coming from the office. Frowning, I lean closer, but I can’t make anything out. Nikolai wouldn’t be down here this late. My hand reaches for the handle as the sound gets louder. I open the door and step forward, only to let loose a startled, ear-shattering scream.

ChapterThirty-Seven

“Oh my god!” I slam the door shut as I jump back into the hall and will the vivid picture of what I just witnessed out of my brain.

Moments later, Max and Oliver join me in the hallway. Oliver is tugging on his shirt, while Max is taking his time zipping up his pants—still without a shirt.

“Guess you missed the sock on the—” Max stops talking as his eyes flick to the door. “Whoops.”

I’m grinding my teeth to keep from yelling at him, and my cheeks are flaring with heat.

“We should go,” Oliver pipes up.

I force a tight-lipped smile. “I think it’s best you do.”

Oliver nods. “Sorry, Aurora.”

Max pulls on his navy dress shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. “Sorry, blondie.” His voice is more amused than apologetic, and considering it’s paired with a smirk, it doesn’t quite sound genuine.

After they leave, I climb the stairs I’ve only been up once before and knock on Nikolai’s door. When he opens it wearing nothing but black sweatpants hung low on his hips, I fight an eye roll. I walk past him into the apartment and say, “You need to bleach the office.”

“What happened?” He asks, sounding like an adult speaking to a child. “Did you kill someone?”

I scowl. “Of course not. I walked in on Max and Oliver fucking on your desk.”

Nikolai bursts out laughing. “Did you see anything good?”

“Can you be an adult for two seconds?”

The laughter quiets. “Relax,Mom.” His tone is light, paired with that charming grin of his. His expression softens as he looks into my eyes. “How are you doing?”

“Better every day.” The truth of those words makes my chest feel a little lighter.

“I have an idea that might help you. Remember the night you saw me singing at the pub?”

“Unfortunately,” I remark dryly.

“Be nice,” he comments. “You called me out for feeding on the crowd. That’s always been my preferred method. Taking from groups of humans is faster and less messy. I don’t have to worry about anything. There are always enough people; I’d overdose on energy before I ever took too much from one person.”

I arch a brow. “Is it actually possible to take in too much energy?”

He laughs, shrugging. “I’ve never done it. That’s not the point. I’m saying this is a foolproof way to feed without the fear of hurting anyone. Feeding the individual way is easier to teach. Now that you’ve done it a couple of times, it’s worth trying another method.”

My pulse ticks a little faster. If he’s right—if this works, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier. “Okay,” I agree. “Let’s try it when the pub is open.”

Nikolai nods. “What should we do now, then?” His suggestive tone makes me smile reluctantly.

“I don’t know, we could watch a movie like normal people… or I could tell you about the family tree I found at my nan’s house that revealed Jules was my ancestor.”

Nikolai blinks at me. “Sorry, what?”

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