Page 81 of Hex
“My shop? The Mystic T?” she asks as her entire body goes rigid.
“No, the other witch shop in Staten Island,” Slay deadpans, but in the name of saving precious time continues. “Of course, The Mystic T.”
“Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of his demon lava bed.” Sage’s quip is merely a whisper but we all hear it crystal clear.
“I don’t like people sleeping in my space.” It’s all Slay says before he goes back to the Bluebell information. “Anyway, she couldn’t get a clear scent on them so she’s pretty sure they were trying to disguise their true nature.”
“So, what, they came in as one kyn but smelled like another?” Pierce's question echoes our own and I don’t miss the frown across his brow, because I’m sporting a matching one. The whole time the professor was stalking Sage, his scent was hidden, and that’s a very specific M.O.
“Yeah, something like that.” Slay shrugs and I’m guessing he doesn’t have any more information than that.
“Well, as important as that is, it’s a moot point if we don’t concentrate on saving Sage. That’s our priority.” They all agree with me, nodding, and I take the initiative to lead Sage up to the portal. “Come on, time to visit barbie central.”
We step in and I only hear Sage’s question once we’re on the other side, stepping onto the vast beaches of the surf capital of the world.
“Barbie? I thought she was an American invention.” Sage is confused, as she should be.
“Not Barbie the doll, Satapti. Barbie as in barbecues. They love a good cookout over here and they’re really fucking good at it.”
“Oh.” From the corner of my eyes, I see her looking around and I know what she’s thinking because it was my exact thought when I first came here long ago. “It’s so…beautiful.”
Then she frowns like she’s not satisfied with the word but doesn’t know how else to describe it.
“Breathtaking. Just like you.” Bringing her hand to my mouth, I hold her gaze and make sure she sees my intentions. “With the brown of the land melting into the blue of the ocean.”
Sage blinks away the slight pool of tears that threatens to fall when she realizes I’m referring to her mismatched eyes. Her trademark. The most unique part of her, aside from the fact that she’s a tribrid—but that’s an issue for another time.
“…fucking spiders.” All I hear is the end of Slash’s complaint. I’m sure it had something to do with a past experience in this place. Centuries ago, he hooked up with an arachne who thought it would be romantic to take him to witness the gossamer showers. She was sorely disappointed by his reaction.
“Shut up about the fucking spiders, Slash.” Slay’s already over this whole thing as he chastises our brother.
“Give him a break, Slay. It was traumatic.” Pierce can barely stay serious.
Sage snort-laughs. “Not a fan, Slashy McWebface?”
“Not funny, Sage.” Not a fan, indeed, if Slash isn’t playing their ridiculous game.
“Welp. It’s the first time I’ve felt properly scolded over the use of my name.”
Fuck this. In a move I know makes her wet in an instant, even though she refuses to admit it, I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder like an anthros fireman.
Her squeal makes my dick hard but when I start running toward the water, her little fists punching my ass like she’stesting out the firmness, I realize she’s screaming and it sounds a lot like fear.
When I put her down, her feet hitting the water as it laps up her ankles, she jumps back into my arms and wraps herself around my neck like a little monkey.
“What the fuck?” I’m at a loss for words, not really understanding what’s come over her.
“Sharks.”
I blink because surely she did not say…
“Holy shit! Well, well, well, Sagey McBiteface, afraid of a little fish?” Slash has forgotten all about the spiders once he realizes Sage has a fear of the ocean. Or, more precisely, fucking sharks. So much for having sex in the Pacific.
Unless, of course, I can convince her to put her shield up while I fuck her fears away.
“You can always count on demons to fuck up your tranquil day.” We all turn at the voice booming from a distance.
Fucking Loki and…
