Page 47 of Fanged Desire
I ran through the measly options we had left. The police were a no-go, they’d stand no chance against the elves, and I couldn’t exactly call on my coven for help either. Leyore vampires were barred from interfering with Elven business; even if I came clean to Jordan, her hands were tied.
If we could come up with a plan – something a little less foolhardy than charming a few guards and tripping the security system – maybe we could pull it off. But I needed time to think, and by the looks of it, Addison needed a moment to bawl her eyes out and maybe take a nap.
All at once, she looked utterly deflated. The fire that usually burned so fiercely in her eyes was replaced with a weariness that cut straight through me. It wasn’t just the events of that night – it was weeks and months of put off fatigue finally catching up to her.
“You know, for once, I agree with Hunter.” Ethan cleared his throat, climbing to his feet and cracking his back.
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Miraclesdohappen.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. I’ll let you two sort this out. Wake me when you’re done with your lover’s spat.” Beforeeither of us could retort, he wandered off, plopping down on the opposite sofa with a yawn.
“Sweet dreams,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
Addison gave a tired chuckle but didn’t say much else. Her silence was unnerving. I knelt in front of her, gently taking her hands in mine. “Addison, you need to slow down. Just for a second. Let it all sink in.”
She blinked down at me, her exhaustion written all over her face. “I don’t know how.”
“Then let me help.” I spoke softly. “What do you need right now?”
For a moment she just stared at me, like she was trying to figure out the answer herself. Finally, she sighed and sunk deeper into the sofa cushions. “A bath.”
I blinked. “A bath?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged, her tone matter of fact despite the layers of exhaustion. “I just want a bath.”
I tilted my head, utterly confused.A bath? Out of everything?
But before I could voice my bewilderment, Ethan snorted from under his pillow. “She said it, dude. Run her a bath.”
With a sigh, I got to my feet. “All right, a bath it is.”
I made my way toward the bathroom, muttering under my breath. Ethan mumbled something from the other room and I heard Addison chuckle faintly behind me. No doubt the little shit had something snarky to say about me, but at least it cheered Addison up slightly.
Filling the tub, I added some bubbles for good measure, because why not? This was already absurd.
I watched the water rise, transfixed by the rushing stream, the sound echoing around the bathroom. The disconcerting chime of running water tugged at the edges of some dusty, distant memory and I folded my arms over my chest, mind drifting back to that dark, quiet place I hadn’t visited in a while.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear Addison approach until her head peeked around the door and she cleared her throat, wrenching me from a vague nightmare I hadn't planned on reliving.
“Hunter?” Her voice was soft, pulling me back to the present.
I blinked, shaking off the memory, and turned to see her standing there looking bedraggled and uncertain. “Yeah?”
She stepped inside, her arms wrapped around herself. “Thanks... for this.”
“Don’t mention it.” I straightened up, gesturing to the tub that was suddenly very close to overflowing. “You should get in before it gets cold.”
Addison hesitated, standing awkwardly for a moment and wringing her hands while she stared at the floor. I took the hint with a faint flush in my cheeks and started to move toward the door. “I’ll give you some privacy–”
“Wait,” she blurted out, her cheeks flushing slightly to match my own rosy hue. “Could you... could you stay?”
I froze, caught off guard by the request. The room suddenly felt a little smaller, the air a little warmer. But she looked so vulnerable, so utterly worn out, that I couldn’t possibly say no.
“Uh – sure.” my voice blended with the sound of rushing water, barely a whisper. “If that’s what you want.”
I leaned against the sink, turning my gaze firmly away as Addison began to undress. I heard the soft rustle of fabric, followed by the gentle splash of water as she climbed into the tub.
For a moment the room was silent except for the faint lapping of water against the porcelain. I risked a glance in her direction out of the corner of my eye – partially out of curiosity and partially to make sure she hadn’t drowned – only to find her watching me.
