Page 5 of The Incubus's Angel
Chapter 3
Maisie
I’m fucking exhausted. Utterly knackered. And in desperate need of a nap. Luckily for me, I had the forethought to prepare my favorite picnic blanket for just this occasion. Add in some leftovers I grabbed from the ceremony, and I’m going to have a wonderfully peaceful afternoon all by myself.
I loved talking to every single creature I met today, and I enjoy working at The Flowering Teapot, but evenIneed a break sometimes. A little bit of quiet time in the middle of nature sounds like the best medicine. A reset of sorts.
Despite not frequently being alone since arriving on the island, I’ve not quite formed any deep friendships yet. It wouldbe nice to have the kind of friend who enjoys hanging out together and chatting nonstop, but also where, like today, we could maybe just coexist together. Where being in the other person’s company is enough.
Am I lonely? Perhaps.
Tall grasses tickle against my bare legs as I stroll across the island’s undulating green slopes. Every step away from the busyness of the morning on the beach calms something inside of me, as if the rolling hills themselves are gentling my very soul with their soft waves. Though, I won’t need the peace and quiet for too long, I love being around others too much for that. My social battery just needs to be recharged a little.
Living with my aunt and uncle in their tiny cottage is great for the most part, but combine that with being at the café, and I never have time for myself. Nor do I have time to take care of myneedswhen there’s someone with supernatural senses close by. I love my aunt, but I don’t think I’d be able to look her in the face if she had to hear me get myself off upstairs in their tiny spare bedroom. That’s what sneaky picnics are for.
My lips stretch into a grin as I spot a few stone cottages scattered among the hillsides, each home a character in itself with its own unique front door color—topaz, purple, daffodil yellow, and brick red.
Now that was a brilliant idea—giving each other space so no one needs to hear their neighbors go at it. Fuck knows how hard it would be if everyone had to live together in the main part of the town. Privacy would be impossible.
If I were to stay on the island, could I get my own cottage? How does one even go about getting one? But most importantly, whatcolor would I paint my door? I think I’d want it bright and happy and totally unexpected. Something like cyan blue.
I’m so lost in thought, I don’t hear the approaching footsteps until a masculine voice mutters, “Morning.”
My hand flies to my chest and I let out a very unflattering shriek. I almost stumble, but a pale hand grabs my upper arm and keeps me upright. He lets go the moment he sees I’m stable.
“I beg your pardon, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you,” the stranger with ruby-red eyes says.
“Oh, no. Totally my fault,” I explain and place an apologetic hand on his forearm. “I really should be paying more attention to my surroundings, but I’m afraid my brain was off somewhere else.”
The stranger makes a garbled sound in the back of his throat and rips his arm away from me. Staring at the spot my hand just touched, he reaches blindly into his pocket for a small bottle and squirts a generous amount into his hand before slathering his forearm with a thick layer of what looks to be sunscreen.
My brows draw down as I make sense of the situation. I’m not one to judge, so I merely incline my head in approval. “Ooo. SPF kink? That’s cool. Don’t think I’ve heard of that one before. Is it only for yourself or your partners too?”
The guy’s hand pauses, his eyes enlarging to such a comic degree that I fear they might fall out. “An SP what?”
I shrug and gesture roughly to the fresh coat on his arm. “Your sunscreen. Is it a kink?”
He scoffs. “No. Who are you anyway and how can you enquire about someone’s sexual preferences so freely? Actually,don’t answer that. Sunscreen is a necessary means for my survival.”
I nod, understanding dawning. “Oh, so you’re like a vampire? That’s so cool.”
The perhaps-a-vampire guy takes a step away from me. “Uhm, yeah. I—I have to go.”
I hold up my free hand, reaching toward him but stopping myself just before I make contact. “I’m sorry! Didn’t mean to offend you. Can I bake you a cake as an apology?
“Cake?” he asks, head rearing back.
“Oh, shit. You probably only drink blood. Can you eat other foods too? Can I try making you a blood cake?”How would that even work? I’d need to research the crap out of that. Or does he only drink fresh blood? Maybe some blood drizzled over cake? But what would complement the taste of blood? I wonder if there are vampire recipe websites.
Before all the thoughts have even made their cycle through my brain, the stranger has disappeared. I turn on the spot, my picnic basket bashing into my leg at the sudden movement, but he’s gone.
Maybe he has super speed or something like that to have basically vanished into thin air.
The thought of losing a potential new friend stings, so I allow myself to sulk for five seconds, then I straighten my shoulders and take off toward my happy place.
No need to dwell on things out of my immediate control. There are too many good things in this world to let one negative experience ruin my mood.
As I crest the next hill, I reflect on this morning’s ceremony and the lovely creatures I was able to meet. Besides my brief chat with the bride and groom, I really liked Beryl and Calixta.
