Page 21 of Deviled Eggs

“You didn’t ask what we are doing, just where we are.”

“Fucking A.” He pinches the bridge of his nose as he blows out a heavy breath. “Okay, then. What are we doing in a park?”

“We’re observing.” I gesture towards the path as I start to walk, and he grumbles as he catches up to my side. “After our last…mishap…”

“More like catastrophe,” he mutters, and I shoot him a glare that makes him smirk.

“… I thought it would be a good idea to watch humans for a while before we make our next move. Note their behaviors… see if we can understand their actions better. We have plenty of time before Easter, and it’s been decades since I mingled with humanity.”

“Let me get this straight… you pulled me away from a Hell’s Kitchen marathon to people-watch?”

My irritation flares at his blasé boredom, and I grit my teeth as I try to control my tone. “Is there a problem, Xalreth? If so, I’ll gladly return you home so you can spend the day in front of your television. Just don’t be shocked when I replace you.”

“Like you could replace me,” he snorts under his breath.

The cool air fills my lungs as I draw in a deep, calming inhale, knowing my composure will agitate him more than any outburst. He wants me to lose my temper—wants me to fight until the gunpowder ignites and we turn explosive once more. “Do you really believe I have no other options?”

My barb hits him right where I want it to, and he goes preternaturally still beside me. I twist to glance at him in question, trying not to show my satisfaction. “Options?” he growls, inching closer. “I’m going to need you to explainexactlywhat you mean by that.”

“Surely you didn’t think you were my only choice? You’re merely the easiest one.” My smile is cruel as his nostrils flare, and I let my eyes flit over his face. “Did you think this wasmore, Xalreth? You are nothing but a convenience.”

I’m not sure when the conversation shifted from his professional position to this high-stakes game we’re playing, but both of us sneer at the other as he pulls me closer. “You think you could replace me? Do you really believeanyoneelse could give you what I can?”

Twisted satisfaction curls in my stomach from his reaction, but I only lift my shoulder with a nonchalant shrug. “There’s no shortage of bodies willing to warm my bed. Bodies that don’t pull away and become cold the moment they get off.”

Recognition flashes in his eyes as they shift between mine, irritation warring with something softer in his expression.I scoff and turn to keep walking when he grabs my wrist and stops me.

“Micah…” He tugs on me again, but I don’t turn around. There’s a moment’s hesitation before he gives my arm a gentle tug. “Did I hurt your feelings?”

“Hurtmyfeelings? I can’t say I know what you mean.” He grips me tighter and yanks, forcing me to face him.

“The other night, when I…” He trails off, and for the first time, he appears uncertain.

Anger burns at my skin as the sting of rejection slices through me once more, and my voice comes out abrupt. “Finish your thoughts, Xalreth. The other night when youwhat?”

His head tilts, and his gaze drops to my lips. “When I didn’t kiss you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I rip my arm away and resume walking, his eyes scorching over my body before he takes a few long strides to catch up once more.

“If I did hurt your feelings—”

“Let’s not discussfeelingsas though I am a child who requires your approval or your affection.”

“Well, don’t you?” he asks, and against my better judgment, I look at him.

“Don’t I what?”

“Require affection.”

The ache in my chest spreads, gripping me with its icy fingers as I give him my back once more. “A foolish concern. I’ve lived my entire life without it. What makes you think I’d suddenly start needing it now? I’d need to have feelings in order for you to hurt them.”

“You have feelings. You might try to hide them from the world, but you aren’t as successful as you’d like to believe.” His soft tone is like a hand around my neck as I shake my head, unable to voice an answer. He hesitates, but I don’t meet his eyesagain. “Alright, I’ll drop it, but if Ididhurt you… I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Wasn’t it?” I snap, tempted to disappear and leave him stranded here while I cool down. A lifetime of refusing to expose myself to others makes me want to flee, but that would give him the upper hand, and I can’t have that. “Considering what we had just done, what other explanation is there for the way you turned away in disgust?”

“Micah—”

“It’sfine,Xalreth, and I do not wish to discuss it further. Drop it.”

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