Page 69 of Grave Decisions
“Oh.”
I look around at the interior of the house. The livin’ room is a cozy size, with carpet that’s slightly worn and a couch that looks like it’s been loved for many years. The kitchen is gleamin’ though, lookin’ like it’s been completely redone.
“I like your house,” I say honestly. “It’s comfy.”
Delta nods. “Thanks. It belonged to my parents—my adoptive ones,” she clarifies.
“Where are they?”
Her gray eyes dart away. “They died.”
I immediately feel bad. “Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” she answers with a sad smile. “Here, come sit down on the couch. Make yourself at home. I’ll go grab us some beers, and we can talk.”
I move to the couch while she hurries off to the kitchen, and I hear her rummage around in the fridge before closin’ it and walkin’ back out. I try not to study the way she moves or her features, but I fail miserably. I feel like some creeper who can’t take her eyes off of her every move.
She sits down next to me on the couch, her back to the armrest as she hands me a beer and curls her legs up beneath her, wings tucked in tightly.
I tip the bottle back and take a long drink, the fizz and the quiet immediately settlin’ my nervous stomach.
“Thanks,” I say after a long swallow and a sigh. I run my hands through my hair. “That was...intense back there.”
Delta nods and rests her own beer bottle on her thigh. “Believe me, I get it. Those assholes always do this shit. Dropping info bombs left and right. Don’t worry, no one will bother us here. The guys know better,” she says with a mischievous grin as she takes another sip.
“You live with them in the mansion?”
“Yep. But every time they piss me off, I come here to chill, and they know they’re not allowed to butt in. My scythe is scary enough that they don’t fuck with me.”
I chuckle a little, feelin’ better by the second, and just like that, all the weirdness fades away between us. For the next three hours, the two of us just talk. About everythin’.
I learn all about her life, and I tell her all about mine. It isn’t awkward or strained. Once we just start goin’, tradin’ stories like we’ve known each other for years, it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Delta tips her head back and laughs. Between the two of us, we’ve polished off a six pack of beer and opened up a bottle of wine. We’re not feelin’ it much, because of the demon thing, but it’s nice to shoot the shit over drinks. Makes me feel a semblance of normalcy. “Your parents sound awesome,” Delta says as we polish off the last of the wine.
“They are. They’ll love you,” I tell her. “Purple is Mama’s favorite color.”
Delta chuckles again and then nudges me with her foot. “So...what’s the story with Flint and Alder?”
“What do you mean?” I ask innocently, starin’ into my empty wine glass.
She snorts. “Don’t get shy on me now. Those two are hot.”
I lift my eyes up to her. “Did y’all ever…”
She frowns. “With Flint and Alder? No, of course not. The four I have is about all I can handle.”
Relief washes over me. “They’re always talkin’ about you. I thought maybe somethin’ went on,” I say, tryin’ to go for nonchalant but not landin’ anywhere close to it.
A smirk crosses her face. “They’re probably trying to get a rise out of you. See if they can make you jealous.”
I blink at her and set my glass down. “What? Why would they do that?”
“Duh. To see how you’ll react. To see if you’re interested in them. Youare, aren’t you?” she presses.
“Duh,” I echo back.
“Ha! I knew it!” she grins victoriously. “So? Did you have yourself some hot demon sex yet? It’s the fucking best.”
