Page 50 of The Slayer Seduction

“Obviously, you don’t want me killing your friend’s disgusting, old, decrepit mate, but there must be something else. Something you told Adam, perhaps?” he says Adam’s name like a slur.

“I’m worried if I tell you that you’re going to freak out.”

“I do not freak out,” he says deadpan and I narrow my eyes at him.

“You just spent hours avoiding me in my bathroom.”

“Well, it was not as if I could leave the house and slay a vampire to rid myself of these feelings, ones I’ve never experienced before, by the way.”

“You’re really laying the guilt on thick, Slayer.”

He smirks and I sigh. “The vampire council, they’re roaming all the nearest parishes hunting you down.”

I expect him to crack his knuckles and declare that he needs to go out and kill them all, but he shocks me. Instead, his face is taken over by one of his manic grins as he pauses, eating to stare at me.

“Are you saying you don’t want me killed, little mate?” I blink at him and he laughs. “You do not need to answer. I already know the truth. It’s fine. I shall be your friend until you realize that friendship is not enough.”

My cheeks heat, and I quickly find my food very interesting, staring down at my plate. The truth of the matter is that I didn’t want him killed, not just because he’s attached to Adam. Not that I’m ready to or will ever admit that to the Slayer.

We can be friends, we can work together and that just has to be enough for now. We’re starting a new cycle and I’m grateful that we can start off on better footing.

I didn’t know what the future holds, but I have to come to terms that the Slayer is a part of it, and maybe it won’t be the worst thing after all.

Chapter 25

The Slayer

“Good work. Iris can’t stand people being mad at her,” Scarlett says, licking my face.

“You know, little fox, I think I understand what a best friend is now,” I tell her, and her eyes glow as she nips my arm gently.

“You should give the man time with the body as she asks.”

“I thought I just said we were best friends?” I whisper. Iris is fitfully sleeping. I wanted to comfort her and hold her again, but Scarlett said it would be a bad idea.

The fox nips me again. “When have I been wrong, Slayer? You let Adam take over the body from time to time. It makes Iris happy, and he can help with your cause.”

“What does that even mean?”

Scarlett sighs, as though I am inept. “You share the same body with the guy, use him to help make her fall in love. Duh. I swear you’re so lucky you have me.”

“This is true,” I agree. Without Scarlett, I would be completely lost with Iris. “But I hate the man.”

“Well, everything isn’t about you, Slayer. Happy mate, happy life, right? So give her what she wants and reap the benefits.”

“I will consider this.”

Scarlett looks over at Iris and back at me. “Word in the forest is the council is getting tired of chasing after a ghost. As soon as they’re gone, you’re going to need to come up with a game plan.”

My brows furrow as I mindlessly scratch behind her ears and her chin.

“What do you mean?”

“Meaning there are vampires that are clearly off limits. Iris doesn’t understand what it means to be a predator, but I do. Slaying isn’t something you can just give up, but if you want to keep Iris, you’re going to need to make sure you don’t kill any of the vampires that Mistress Ember cares about.”

I groan, resting my head on the couch. The day Iris invites me to sleep in her bed will be the best day of my life.

“You could take hits for the vampires,” Adam chimes in, nearly startling me. I haven’t heard from him since he planted the idea to conspire against me with Iris.