Page 76 of Mate
“What a joy. To speak with you. Tobewith you.”
What. The. Fuck. “I mean, sure. Youshouldfeel lucky, but . . . do I know you?”
He straightens further, whispering something that ends up swallowed by the breeze and the waves. Slowly, he stands, holding out his hand. When I change my defensive grip to something that could do some real damage, he remains undeterred. “Come with me,” he says.
His voice is warm, coupled with a smile that is . . . unhinged, I should say. But this boy doesn’t seem like a crazed nutjob. He’s coherent. Kind. Looks at me like we used to play hopscotchtogetherandlike someone told him that my boogers are made of emeralds. So unabashedly adoring, I clutch my weapon tighter.
“Don’t be afraid. We knew he would take you here.”
“Who’s we?”
“You must have felt so alone.”
“If you come any closer, Iwillstab you.” I pointedly lower my eyes to his dick, which swings between his legs like the world’s wrinkliest Christmas ornament. “Wherever it’s most convenient.”
His smile softens. “I understand your reservations, but I am not afraid, and neither should you be. The moment has come. You were made, and so it has begun. His domain will flourish, and— ”
“Stop with the Bible camp talk.” I clench my teeth. “Did you call me Eva? Earlier?”
“It’s the name by which I have always known you,” he says simply.
“?‘Always’? Did you know me as a child?”
“Always. I learned the blood and the word, and therefore you.”
My heart stops. He looks younger than me. Too young. “Did we grow up together?”
“Not as such, no.”
“Then why do you know me?”
With a flick of his wrist, he once again offers his hand. “Come with me, and I’ll tell you.Shewill tell you. You should know the wonder that you are.”
“Nice try, but I’m not going to a second location with you. I’m not even convinced I want to stay in this one.” I’m getting tired of the cryptic speeches, that ethereal smile painted on his face. Fear is slowly melting into frustration. “Are you a member of the Northwest pack?”
“There is no Northwest. There are no packs, no species, no borders.”
“Right. Okay . . . if you don’t tell me who you are, I’m going to scream, and someone who’s much less nice and patient than me will come out of the house— ”
“I can be fucking nice,” Koen says, coming to stand behind me.
Most of my tension dissolves.
“Not patient, though,” he adds. “She gotthatright.”
His heat presses against my back. “Is he Northwest?” I ask under my breath.
“No.” Koen’s hand wraps around my hip, completely engulfing it. It’s a deceptively relaxed gesture, protective and lover-like. He pulls me into him, and the back of my head brushes against his chest. Worry and fear stink like acid, but I pick up neither from him. “Which means that I can kill him for being in my territory. Want me to?” He’s joking. I think.
“He came alone,” I murmur. “I don’t think he’s a danger.”
“You’re right.” He continues louder, this time for the other Were to hear, “But why would he breach our borders? I must assume that he means to hurt you.”
The boy shakes his head forcefully, mussing up already tousled hair. “I would rather die than hurt one of us, Eva.”
I smell the truth of it. So does Koen, but his hold on me tightens. “What did you call her?” I can hear the frown in his question— and the way it deepens when no answer comes.
The boy stares for a long moment at Koen’s fingers on my stomach, and his smile falters for the first time. “You shouldn’t touch her,” he warns.
