Page 53 of A Siren Song for Christmas

A couple minutes later, the woman left the store with her package.

“I found her!” Trent called out, holding his hand out in front of him. Sure enough, Kelby sat on his palm.

“I’m surprised.” Malachi walked towards them. “She usually is so hard to find.”

Trent stroked her back. She ribbited, then sprang towards his face. Trent laughed as she climbed his head, gripping his nose, eyebrow, and forehead before scrambling onto the top of his hair.

The door opened, and two more customers entered. Malachi went to serve them.

When they left, Malachi walked over to Trent, who was examining the different plants. “I’m almost finished for the day. But I still need to feed the werdemon plant.”

“Can I watch?” Trent reached for Kelby, who’d burrowed into his brown hair. “I’ve never seen a plant be fed before.”

“Well, the werdemon is an unusual plant.” Malachi walked to the tank. Its pinkish stalk stretched from the grey stones at the bottom. From the stalk, stems like veins floated in the water. At the end of the stems hung small round red pods.

“I believe it is feeding time for you, my dear.” Reaching for the shelf beneath the werdemon plant, he lifted a small container and took off the lid.

Trent leaned closer, holding Kelby in his hands.

“Moth larvae.” Malachi lifted the container over the water and sprinkled. As the larvae sunk, the stems immediately came to life. They spread out through the water. The pods opened wide as they sought their prey. When a larva was in reach, the pod snapped shut, capturing the larva inside.

“Wow!” Trent’s eyes widened.

“The werdemon is a carnivorous plant. She’ll gobble up insect larvae, tadpoles, and fry that approach her in the wild.” Malachi closed the lid. “But she doesn’t get that in her tank, so I have to feed her myself.”

Suddenly, Kelby sprang and landed with a plop in the water. She dived amongst the stems, gobbling up the larvae that the plant had yet to devour.

“Kelby! No!” Trent shoved his hand into the water after her, fingers reaching towards her.

Malachi placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’s fine. Kelby is far too big for the plant to eat.”

“Oh.” Trent’s shoulders relaxed. He lifted his hand from the water.

They watched Kelby and the plant feed until no more larvae remained in the tank. When she was done, Kelby swam to the edge of the tank. Trent picked her up, holding her close.

“You scared me.” Trent lifted her until they were nose to nose. She croaked. “But I suppose you know what you’re about.”

“She does indeed.” Malachi chuckled. He walked to the door, locked it, and switched the sign to closed.

Then he turned back to Trent and Kelby. With a start, he realised his melancholic mood had passed completely. Being around Trent really was good for him.

Smiling, he grabbed the parcels Trent had brought with him. “Shall we go up? Are you hungry?”

“I’m famished.” Trent’s gaze ran up and down Malachi’s body. And the glint in Trent’s gaze told Malachi he wasn’t thinking about food.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

“Fuck me,” Trent begged, lying on his back on the bed.

Tentacles and hands caressed his naked body. Meanwhile Malachi leaned over him. And for some reason, the siren still had his fucking drawers on!

“Malachi, please. Fuck me. You promised you would fuck me!”

“Shh.” Malachi pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I will deny you nothing, my sweet boy. I will give you all that you desire.” His hands slid down to Trent’s waist.

Trent shuddered. He grasped at Malachi’s bare shoulders, nails digging into skin. “Then hurry up and do it!”