Page 27 of These Eternal Bones
“The veins on your skin, they get darker when you are–” she clears her throat. “When you hunger.”
“Among other things.” My cock presses against the zipper of my pants even now, with each movement and waft of her sweetened flowery scent, my fangs throb. Even sated, she could not be more correct. I hunger. Endlessly. But for no other soul than the one in this room.
“You-you cannot eat like me?”
“I could, but it would serve no purpose. Without blood, I would succumb to my hunger, which is a very unflattering affair.”
She shudders, but with what syringa? Do you want to know how much it would hurt? How good it could feel when I–
“But drinking it brings you pain?”
I nod, placing my elbows on the table to lean closer. Again, hiding my surprise at her question. The Selkie has never been a tactful creature. Perhaps in my madness, I had hoped she’d bear it all. To take away this game we play, the agonizing chase, but then again, this is one of my favorite parts. No two are the same, yet all are familiar.
“Do they all die? The people you feed from.”
I smirk. “Thatis entirely up to me.”
“Humans, do you–” the words leave her like a whisper, and I’m hanging on every single one. “Do you feed from them often?”
I shake my head. “Rarely, as you noticed, while the humans of this town have no choice but to coexist with us, they are not too fond of the idea.”
She clears her throat, placing her napkin from her lap onto her plate. “My position, since I cannot read…I am unsure what skills I have that would be of use to you.”
I could think of plenty.
I can’t hide my pleasure as she avoids my eyes, my little human suddenly so terribly shy. It’s endearing how quickly she shows her claws, only to blush and tuck them away.
“I merely wish for you to keep me company.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “That is not a job.”
“It is if you receive coin for it.”
She casts me an empty glare, recovering quickly. “I am repaying a debt; I do not receive coin.” My mood lightens further now that she seems less angry and no longer concerned about the idiotic fox.
My smile widens as I stand from my chair, flashing over to hers to pull it out. I lean in closer so that her smell wraps around me, making my mouth water as my nose brushes her hair. “Very well, work for free.”
Her little gasp is a gift, one I am determined to receive again and again. “And what am I meant to do all day?” She rushes out, all but lurching from her chair.
“Whatever you want, as long as it is nearby.”
She fiddles with her dress, looking anywhere but at me. “And my hours?”
“Day and night.”
She huffs, her brows inching together. “I am meant to spend every waking moment by your side?”
“There are those who would be grateful for such an offer.” I retort.
“There are those with nothing better to do.” Her frown deepens, taking her eyes from me. Her attention is a luxurious thing, one I covet deeply. “My days off?”
“You require days off?”
“Of course.”
I don’t bother hiding my sigh. “Sunday?”
“The Lord's day…”
