Page 20 of Infernal Hearts

“Ugh.” I take the metal handle and give my index finger a quick poke. With a small squeeze, it lets out a single drop next to his. At this point I know enough to go with what I’m getting myself into. As much as the feeling in my gut is telling me not to, it’s mind over body at this point.

A purple flash goes off in the room, and the paper burns with violet fire, turning black as midnight. A sweet and tangy smoke fills the room, emanating from where the contract went up into flames.

Levi snaps his fingers. “It’s done.” He flashes me a bright smile.

Part of me is grateful, but part of me thinks this is the worst mistake I’ve ever made. “I’d better not regret this.”

“That’s the spirit. Now, do I still need to call you Dr. Blackwell? Or do you have a first name?”

“It’s Jason.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jason. This is going to be fun.” He tries to give me a kind and reassuring look, but I don’t trust it. “Now then, I’m exhausted and you look even worse than I do. Maybe a good night’s sleep will do us both some good? You’re always welcome to share my bed.”

And there it is. A brief moment of kindness, followed by that mouth. I stomp out of the house and slam the door behind me.

I’m going to hate working with him, but I can’t lose another parent. Something tells me that this is going to be more of a headache than I had anticipated.

…

The morning light fights its way through the pine trees outside my kitchen window. A calm fog sits above the tops of the trees, creating a golden haze throughout the mountainside. It’s peaceful, and if I had the time, I would sit here and stare at it until the sun burns off the layer.

Tossing and turning all night is a poor way to sleep. And now, all I can think about is my dad. The warm aroma of coffee spreads throughout my house while the world is still asleep. But my brain is working overtime.

I grab a deep mug from the cabinet and fill it to the brim with my steaming lifeblood. I never understood why people pollute it with cream and sugar. If you make it right, black just soothes the soul. Perfectly bitter with that exact right amount of zing on your tongue, it’s the best way to jolt the system awake each day. Maybe this mug can help me figure out what to do.

The bell ringing downstairs shakes me from my thoughts. Goddamn it, it’s too early for this. I set down my mug, head downstairs, and that’s exactly where I find Levi waiting for me outside the front door.

“Good morning.” He leans on the doorframe, smiling slyly. “Ready to get to work?”

“I haven’t even finished my morning coffee.” I’m berating him in my mind, tearing apart his dirty words and annoyingly good looks. Everything about him makes me want to come up with an excuse to leave.

He chuckles low in his throat. “The clock is ticking. Besides, I need a way to get around, and I left my rental car on the side of the road.”

I cock my head to the side. “Are you asking me for a ride?”

“If you wouldn’t mind. Might give you another chance to check my progress.”

I look him up and down. “Seems like you’re doing pretty well to me.”

“Oh, you like what you see?” He grins. “But scout’s honor, this is business.”

“I really should check your wound again just to make sure you’re healing properly.”

He unbuttons his shirt, eyebrows wiggling.

A gutturalughescapes my mouth. “Knock it off. You said it yourself. Business.”

“Suit yourself, doctor.” His grin grows wider. “But if you ask me, you could stand to blow off some steam.”

He’s right. I really could stand to blow off some steam, but he’s the last person I’d do it with. There are some lines I won’t cross, and sleeping with a creature of questionable morals is one of them.

He parts his shirt, and I take a step closer. The stitches are still holding nicely, a bright pink line running between them. “No sign of infection and it already looks better than last night. Your kind sure heals quickly.”

Letting out one huff of breath, he hurries to button his shirt. “Mykind? You sure know how to flirt. No wonder you’re single.”

My temperature flushes as my body tenses. “I’d rather be single than giving it away to just anyone.” He of all people has no right to comment on my love life. I’ll always be alone, and that’s exactly how I want it to stay.

He pauses for a second and begins to laugh. “Oh, sweetheart.” He puts his index finger under my chin and smiles. “Who said you’re just anyone?”

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