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I answer it and immediately say, “Mol, I’m getting ready and leaving soon, I swear.”

“You’re going to besolate, Teddy! You know how long that stupid bus takes! Why the fuck did you sell your car?”

“I’ve got a ride, don’t worry.”

“What ride?”

“My uh…my new roommate.”

She laughs out loud. “The demon?”

“No, he’s a real human man,” I chuckle. “His name is Ben. You’ll get to meet him.”

“Is this…aroommate, Teddy, or like a…‘historians believe they were roommates’ situation?” Her voice is a little apprehensive. My family knows I dated men in college, before Ros, but it’s something we just don’t talk about, and I’ve certainly never brought one home before.

“Just a regular roommate, Mol, I promise.”Liar, says the voice in my head.

“Alright, well, just get your ass down here, please. Mom is driving me and Dad up a fucking wall worrying about you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I hang up and unwrap the burrito, then shove it unceremoniously into my mouth, savoring the taste of real food that quickly clears my head from the rest of the panic-attack fog.

Just for today, maybe I can pretend like my life is somewhat normal. Like I’m not living with a demon and a complete stranger. Like I’m not thinking about how it would feel to kiss both of them–and like I’m not feeling weirdly happy for the first time in a long time…

22

Annoth

When Ben closes thebathroom door to shower, I sit at the counter beside Theo, knowing this may be my best chance. His phone begins to ring, and I wait for him to finish speaking to his sister before I clear my throat and fold my hands in my lap, trying to appear serious, but not menacing.

“May I ask you something?”

He has food in his mouth and simply mutters, “Hmm?”

“Do you believe that…we could try to trust one another?” I ask, keeping my voice matter-of-fact. He swallows, then sets the burrito down.

“What do you mean?” He turns his beautiful, limpid blue eyes to me, and they flicker down to my lips for a moment.

“I know it may be difficult for you to believe, but…I am not the same as I was. Something is different. I do not know how to explain it, but I wish to show you how I have changed. Please.”

He watches me a moment longer, his brow furrowed. “Show me…how?”

“Let me meet your family,” I say quickly. “You may tell them anything you wish–that I do not speak their language, that I am Ben’s lover and not yours, anything. Just, allow me to show you that I am trustworthy. That I can behave…normally.”

He gives a soft laugh. “I don’t know that you’ll ever be able to act normal,” he says, “but…let me talk to Ben about it, alright?”

“Thank you.” I smile and retract the elongated teeth I have been wearing in my human form. I have also fixed the ridges on my ears. When I see myself in the mirror now, I look painfully human, which does not bother me as much as I imagined it would.

When Ben has finished showering, he comes out to the living area wearing only a towel around his hips, and I cannot help but run my eyes over his body. Although I felt it last night with my shadows, it is quite different to see it on display. So many places I would like to sink my teeth into. I can sense Theo watching him too, and resist the temptation to slither inside his mind and see exactly what sinful thoughts he is having about Ben. They undoubtedly match my own, and I wonder how upset he would be if I tried to persuade him to act on those thoughts.

“Need something, Annie girl?” Ben asks with a smirk, and I unwillingly wrench my eyes away from his naked torso.

“Theo says that Imaybe allowed to meet his family at this children’s sporting event, but that he would like to consult with you first.”

Ben’s eyebrows shoot up, and he looks at Theo. “Did he now?”

“I did,” Theo sighs, tearing his eyes from Ben as well and glancing at me. “I guess…since she and I might be stuck like this longer than we thought, maybe it’s a good idea for her to learn how to behave. Especially if she really does want to change.”

“Sounds reasonable to me,” Ben says with a shrug, “as long as you think you can be a good girl, Annie.” He winks at me, and my body burns with need.