Page 65 of Volik

I make myself into her shield.

Because that is what I am.

From now until the end.

I press my mouth against her hair.

My lips pull into another smile because our end is so far away.

We have so long.

So much time to be together.

And it starts today.

Chapter 36

Nix

Iwake up to warmth.

Perfect warmth.

Like I’m wrapped in a heated blanket. In a warm room. On a warm bed. And it’s so incredibly comfortable. Even my pillow is warm, and I like it.

My muscles feel relaxed. My body feels boneless.

I don’t know that I’ve ever felt like this before. Surrounded by this much heat but not feeling like I’m going to sweat.

This moment feels like the definition of cozy.

I take a deep breath and notice the soft scent of mint in the air.

It even smells nice this morning.

An exhale ruffles my hair at the same time I notice the heavy weight across my side.

My eyes snap open.

I’m not alone.

My hands are twined together under my chin. But there’s another hand, a huge hand, with black fingernails, flat on the mattress in front of me, attached to the arm draped over me.

And there’s another arm under my head, acting as my warm pillow, with that hand dangling off the edge of the bed.

And I remember.

I remember all of it.

I try to keep my breathing even, not wanting to give away the fact that I’m awake.

Is he awake?

Do vampires sleep?

I squeeze my eyes shut.

I slept with a vampire.