Page 16 of Dark Reckoning
I cocked an eyebrow, but before I could say anything, Adrian interjected.
“It's okay, Xavier. I told him to,” Adrian said.
“Oh my god, you haven't even been dating him long enough to be okay with watching him kill people, Adrian,” Xavier said, grabbing Adrian's arms as if he needed to talk some sense into him.
“He doesn't need you to babysit,” Shi snapped. “He's a big boy.”
“When I need your input, I'll ask,” Xavier shot back.
“For fuck's sake,” Adrian said. “Look, Xavier, I know what I'm doing. And like I said, a lot has happened since you left. As a matter of fact, let's all just sit down and eat first, then Sage and I will go into detail. Can we do that, please? I need a few moments of peace.”
Xavier sighed but nodded. “Fine.”
“Good. There’s enough food in here for everyone,” Adrian said, motioning to the bags he held.
Nadia had completed the task I'd given her and joined us as we ate. We all sat or stood around the kitchen island as we ate—according to Adrian— the best damn sandwich he'd ever had.
“I told you they had the best,” I said, smiling as I swallowed the last bite of my corned beef and pastrami sandwich.
“I never doubted you,” Adrian said, then turned to Xavier. “So, the police have that asshole?”
Xavier nodded as he wiped his hands and mouth with a napkin. “Yeah. The mom wanted to see him rot in prison.”
“Still too good for him,” I said.
“I'm sure people would say that about you, too,” Xavier commented.
I laughed. “Yeah, they probably would. Not that I give a shit.”
Adrian shook his head. “Don't... just don't.”
I nodded, giving in to my baby. His self-righteous friend could kiss my ass, but I tolerated him for Adrian's sake. I did have to say one thing to him, though. “You know, Xavier, I can sense your desire for Jewel. Even before I became a vampire that feeds on pleasure, I could still smell lust. If you think you're going to get anywhere with any of my females, you're going to have to come down off your high horse.”
Xavier snorted. “Compromise my morals, you mean?”
I shrugged. “Or find some little sanctimonious church mouse to stick your cock into.”
“The world could be ending, can we not bicker amongst ourselves?” Adrian asked.
Xavier's head turned sharply to him. “What do you mean the world could be ending?”
Adrian looked at me and I gestured to him to catch everyone up.
***
“Holy shit,” Xavier said after hearing everything we had to tell him.
Jewel was speechless as she sat on the sofa, her face a total mask of uncertainty and confusion. It was a lot to process.
“So, these monsters can turn anyone?” Shi asked.
I nodded. “That's why I want you to get my Pride here. I don't want to lose anyone.”
“I'm on it,” Shi said, then pulled out her cell and began texting.
“How do we kill them?” Xavier asked.
“You don't,” I said. “Adrian and I saw one of those things in action. Ain't shit a human can do against one of them. Remember, they're taking out supernals.”
