Page 44 of Nightmare For Hire
“Oh, Sadie, you’re doing so well. Yes, you are, sweetheart,” Cyrus coos at a baby. “I’m so proud of you. You’ll get to go home soon. Just need a little more weight on you.” He gives the baby the brightest smile and wiggles his gloved finger at them. I don’tlike that he’s covered in a hairnet and a facemask. But his smile goes to his eyes, making them practically light up.
The baby looks like a potato with arms and legs. Not a fan, but Cyrus is so happy with how the baby is doing that I can’t help my own smile. Or I imagine I’m smiling in shadow form. I’ll say I am, anyway.
Cyrus lifts the baby from the crib and rocks them before walking them to a pair of adults I’ll assume are the parents. Cyrus looks so at ease and natural holding the baby. Once he places the baby in the mother’s arms, Cyrus leaves that room, stripping the hairnet and facemask only to grab fresh ones before going into another room. I follow him like a little puppy.
The room has a couple of plastic baby cribs and no other adults beside Cyrus.
“MacKenzie Claire and Roxy Pink. How are you two doing today?” He asks so softly as he rummages around in a cart.
I’m in a trance as I watch him take care of the babies. One—Roxy Pink, I think—starts screaming.
“Sweetheart, everything is okay. You’re doing so good for me.” He lays MacKenzie back in their bed and picks up Roxy. “I got you, sweetheart. I got you.” He rocks softly. “How about I tell you a story? Will that help?” The baby screams louder. “Well, I’ll tell you, anyway.” Cyrus chuckles. “I used to date a merman. He was such a mean guy, and I didn’t realize it—okay, that’s a lie. At the time, I just wanted someone,anyone, to find me desirable. I had a tough childhood, and it’s still hard to find myself worthy of anyone. Even all these years later, Istillgo to therapy and tend to make poor choices when it comes to men.”
I wish I could give him a hug.
“But I’m not with the merman anymore.” Cyrus nuzzles his nose against the baby’s cheek, making it calm. “No. I’m dating aNightmarenow.”
The baby starts screaming again and Cyrus laughs.
“I know. I know. Itsoundsbad. But hear me out. Nox…” Cyrus sighs.Contently.So I float closer. “Nox isn’t human either. And I know it’s fast, but I think I’ve fallen for him. He’s sweet and funny. And he makes me feel like I’m the most worthy guy in the world. He doesn’t rush me to be intimate, and I appreciate that so much. We’re exploring together at a pace I’m comfortable with. All around, Nox is the best guy that has ever come into my life, and I’m glad I took a chance on Monster Match.”
Cy smiles and I realize he's been smiling so much more as of late. Could it be because of me?
He settles the baby back into its weird plastic crib. “Nox doesn’t like babies, though. Which is fine. I get all the baby cuddles I can ever want here.” He pets the baby’s cheek before moving back to the first baby. “Nox makes me feel like I can get through anything. I haven’t told him yet, but I love him.”
Cyrus loves me.
My shadows vibrate and hum inside my head. There’s no denying it. I love Cyrus, too. I want to spend every moment with him and know every nanosecond of his life. Just the thought of something happening to him makes me want to fly into a rage.
Cyrus is human. Somethingcanhappen to him. He can get hurt. He’ll die and I’ll continue to float on for all eternity without my soul. That won’t do.
In just a thought, I’m in Dani’s living room.
“Shit, Nox! What have I told you about knocking?!”
It’s then I realize he and Maddox are naked and Dani stops bouncing on Maddox’s lap. Oh. Oh!! “This is sex, isn’t it?” I wave my hand over them.
“Out, Nox!” Maddox roars at me while Dani giggles.
I pop out into the hallway. “Maddox, I need to talk to you about something. It’s urgent.”
“I’ll text you when you can come back,” Dani shouts. I give it a few seconds and they’re making noises, so I sulk into my apartment.
What if something happens to Cyrus that I can’t fix? I float around my apartment, not able to calm until I get that text from Dani. It feels like eternity, and I would know. But finally I get that text and I’m back in his living room.
“Can you make Cyrus immortal?” I blurt.
Maddox cocks a brow. “What?”
“Cyrus, immortal. Can you?” I pace the living room. “Maybe use a bit of my shadow and bind his life to mine?”
The orc scratches his chin. “What does he say? Does he want to be immortal?”
“I haven’t asked him, not yet.”
Dani waves his hand in front of my face. “Does Cyrus know you started dating him because of Mick?”
My stomach shadows twist. “No. Is that bad? I completely forgot about that. I’m pretty sure he’s my fated mate.”
