Page 136 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
As Nell went pilfering, Evie’s phone buzzed with an incoming text, and a brief smile softened her face. Since the signal went in and out, messages arrived with a significant delay.
“Natalya?” Harper asked. Evie nodded.
“She’s asking if I want her to come out here. Which she shouldn’t, given everything that’s going on. They need her in Chicago.” Evie touched the silver chain pendant around her neck. “She’s just worried. She can tell I’m nervous, so…”
As loving as Evie and Natalya’s relationship was, one aspect of it still weirded Harper out. Natalya could feel every emotion Eviedid, big and small, just by concentrating. Even when they were hundreds of miles apart.
Evie had asked her not to, and Natalya respected that. As much as she could, at least. If Evie’s emotions were too intense, they were impossible to ignore.
It provided more tragic context to the way Evie kept looking at the dark beyond the window.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” Harper took her hand. “It’s safe. There’s a whole army nearby, and even if there wasn’t, nothing can get in here. We’ll be okay.”
Evie bit her lip and nodded. Her grip on Harper’s hand turned clutching.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’ll be fine.” Evie chuckled. To herself, it looked like. “Or, it’s safe, I should say.”
She gave Harper a smile, gesturing at her hair. “It looks good, by the way. Don’t know if I mentioned.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Harper held a lock of pink hair in front of her face. “I’m out of practice, so I was sure it would come out streaky. And I was a little worried Maya would hate it. I think she liked me being blonde.”
Evie’s smile fell, and Harper wanted to kick herself. This situation was already uncomfortable, and bringing Maya up wasn’t helpful.
But Harper couldn’t help it. Talking to Nell and Evie about her romantic endeavors was second nature. Kieran was the only exception, and that was just because she couldn’t talk about him without revealing what a prick he was.
“You’ve never said that before.” Evie’s voice was low. Weak and… surprised?
Harper frowned. “Never said what?”
“That you were worried about someone else liking your hair color. Or anything you did. You never care about what others think.”
If Nell had made that observation, it would have been said with a smile. Excitement even, as Harper had apparently succumbed so much to the butterflies in her stomach that she forgot to be jaded.
But when Evie said it, it sounded painful.
Harper had stopped placing value on others’ opinions long ago. She had to, since they were often based in disdain, disappointment, or a mix of the two.
Her hair color was just one catalyst for it. She was a teenager the first time she’d exchanged her brown hair for something more eye-catching, and then her parents had lectured her for almost an hour about how ridiculous it looked.
At that point, she’d already given up on meeting their expectations. She just told herself not to care what they thought and then found means to numb the pain that came when she inevitably failed at it. The only people whose opinion she’d ever leaned on were Patricia and the two women in this very cabin.
And Maya. Apparently.
That realization should bring warmth with it. But instead, a sharp chill formed in her chest, and it wasn’t just due to the cold seeping through the walls. Because, right then, Maya didn’t feel like an addition to that tiny group.
With how Evie lowered her eyes and her hand slipped from Harper’s, it felt more like a replacement.
“I found candles!” Nell darted up the basement stairs, carrying a massive bundle in her arms. “And blankets, too. The Chains really stocked this place.”
She didn’t seem to notice the tension in the room. Or maybe she did, by how fast she was talking.
“Thanks,” Harper muttered and accepted the blanket Nell handed her. Evie did the same, sitting down in the nearby armchair, gaze averted.
Nell looked between them. She put on a tense smile.
“Maybe lighting the candles will make it a little warmer.” She set the candles down on the coffee table. “It’ll be better than nothing. Right?”
No one spoke. Evie didn’t even look at them, either. She just stared into the dark, eyes unfocused.
