Page 16 of Nightmare For Hire
“Sometimes I still can’t wrap my head around the human concept of good and bad. Some things are obvious once it’s been pointed out to me. But I’m a Nightmare. I feed off of what humans consider evil. And I’m not ashamed of it.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of your nature. Like you said, you’re not human. Why would you live your life by human standards?”
“Exactly. I like you. You get things. Sometimes it takes so long for someone to understand. I may look like this in my human form.” I drop my hand over myself again. “But I’mnothuman.”
“I’ve met pure evil, in human terms. You’re probably a kitten compared to them.” Cyrus takes another drink, practically hiding behind his water glass.
“I like kittens. They’re so tiny and the cute little mew mew noises they make. They make me so happy. But I don’t want a pet. They’re a lot of responsibility and I don’t think I can do it.”
“Hope you’re hungry!” Trish is back with our waffles. Someone trails behind her with a tray of all seven flavors of syrup they offer. She plops a plate in front of each of us. Then slides the tray of syrup onto the table. “Enjoy.”
“Oh, wow. These are huge.” Cyrus’s eyes light up again. I like seeing him like this, not sad like the profile picture. I still want to know what made him so sad, though.
“They’re the best. Each syrup is so good even when they’re all blended in, and they take care of their syrup here. Thecontainers aren’t all gross and sticky. Some places don’t take pride in their presentation.”
“What do you suggest?” Cyrus eyes the tray. Each syrup is labeled.
“My favorite combo, if I’m not using all of them, is the strawberry and blueberry topped with maple. But, I usually use a different syrup for each well.” I reach for the strawberry at the same time Cyrus does and our hands brush together.
“You go first,” Cyrus offers.
“Oh, no no. Please, I insist.” I push the strawberry syrup closer to him and grab the maple instead. “They make as many of them as they can with ingredients from their garden. Leon is a genius. I hope he comes around. He’s a troll, but the best.”
“I’ve never met a troll before. To be honest, I haven’t met too many people other than those who come to the hospital.”
“I can help show you around if you’re interested.” I cut into my waffles and take my first bite. My eyes flutter back and I moan around the perfection.
Again, his cheeks go red. But he follows suit with his own bite and moans.
“I’d know that sound anywhere.” I turn towards the new voice.
Mick.
Cyrus’s eyes fly open and he sucks in a breath at the same time he’s sliding to get closer to the window and away from the merman. “What are you doing here?” The words come out in a whisper.
“Aw, don’t be like that. I had no idea this was where you moved. I just transferred here two days ago. You’ll be seeing me a lot more.”
I had no idea Mick lived here when he hired me. I don’t exactly like this game he’s playing with Cyrus.
“Who is your little friend?” Mick looks at me as if he doesn’t know who I am.
“This is Nox.” The Cyrus that had been excited and relaxed isn’t anywhere to be found. Now he’s a blank shell of a man with dead answers and those sad eyes. Mick is the problem.
Mick leans into Cyrus’s space. “He’s not really your type, is he?”
“If you don’t mind,” I start and grab his wrist to leave more shadows with him. “We’re in the middle of a date.”
Mick snorts. “Date. As if anyone could want someone as broken as Cy. He’s got an amazing ass though. Just the perfect little fuck toy.”
“Stop,” Cyrus says. “You dumped me, remember? Viatext.But it’s fine because I’ve moved on. And if you want to know, your cock hardlyeversatisfied me.” He’s shaking, but I’m surprisingly proud of him for sticking up for himself.
Mick snorts. “Please, you begged for it every single time.”
Cyrus scoffs. “Was it actually my choice every time?” He looks the merman dead in the eye, making Mick squirm. “Because I have my suspicions.”
“Whatever. I’ll see you at the hospital.” Mick turns on his heel and takes a seat a few tables down.
Cyrus sucks in deep breaths as he moves like he’s going to leave. “I’m sorry. I have to—”
