Page 62 of The Midnight Frequency

At least, I hoped.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

[ “THERE’S A DIFFERENCE between being seen and being noticed. Only one is survivable.”

— Hexes on my Exes - Episode 3]

Silas

“What was that again?”

I was distracted.

Something about those videos had me unable to focus. All I kept hearing was Madison’s low voice on the line, reaching up, grabbing my defenses, and doing everything in her power to rip them down.

She failed, of course.

But she got close a few times.

In the heat of the moment, I hadn’t had enough time to truly analyze her arguments or barbs. Hearing it played back, even if there had been some editing, had an unexpected effect on me.

My thoughts felt scrambled.

My usual quick comebacks were running at half-speed.

Some part of me was hoping Madison didn’t call in. I wouldn’t be able to give her the verbal sparring match she deserved in my current state.

“I asked if you thought it was normal.”

“For your vampire boyfriend to feed off you like a human juice pouch? No, I don’t think that’s normal. Next caller.”

“We have Vlad,” Jack said.

One guess what kind of creature this was.

“Hi. Yeah. I take some issue with what you just said.”

“What a shock.”

“It’s a form of intimacy to feed on your partner.”

“Vlad, I’m going to stop you right there. You called a radio show to defend your dinner.”

“She’s not my meal.”

“Just a snack then?” I asked, my voice dry as parchment.

“Well, sort of. But that doesn’t mean it’s not the ultimate form of intimacy.”

“Everything feels intimate from the inside. That’s rather the problem. The issue with using intimacy as a defense is that it’s self-referential. It feels intimate, therefore it is meaningful, therefore it is acceptable. You’ve built a circle and called it an argument.”

“We both enjoy it.”

“Indeed. Because your bite has narcotic-like effects. You have made her an addict and call it intimacy. I call it neglect. Next caller.”

“We have Diana.”

“Diana, do you have thoughts about feeding on your partner?”