Page 42 of All Your Deadly Truths (The Filthy Duet #2)

Kairhyse

I can tell Xeraphine is upset. She’s been staring out the car window for the past eighteen hours, refusing to sleep.

Her eyes are fixed on the side mirror, keeping Alaric’s car in sight.

Since we set out for Aurelia Peaks—which is about six hours north of Sidence—I haven’t tried to pull her attention, just allowing her to sit in the quiet she wants.

The road ahead is long, and we’ll have to stop soon to rest; my little demon hasn’t driven in a while and I’m not exactly up to doing the entire drive in one go.

At least we managed to clean up after getting off the boat.

In the town south of Ashfer, I grabbed a shower and purchased some new clothes for us both.

Xeraphine spent nearly an hour in the bath, scrubbing every inch of herself.

I didn’t offer, she asked, if I’d stay with her because she worried about having a panic attack in the water, but she didn’t.

She just sat there quietly while I washed her hair and talked to her.

She breaks the quiet with a huff, then asks, “Is it cause I dislike her still being close to that Werewolf? ” I don’t think she particularly expects me to answer, even if it’s directed to me as a question.

Squeezing her thigh, which sadly has leggings separating my skin from hers, I stay silent.

“Is it Niyla? Does she like her creator?” Again, the tone of her voice doesn’t depict that she actually wants me to answer.

A low, growl like noise, vibrates from her throat. “Is it because I look like a Demon?”

“No.” That I won’t have, so I do answer her. “You know she hasn’t fed, right?”

A soft gasp escapes her lips, delicate and unbidden.

“What?!” Her hushed shout bounces around the old sedan.

I’m not going to complain about the car choice, but it sure as shit wasn’t my first choice.

“Is that why her eyes are pink? Color me stupid but I just thought it was because of the color of her hair when she was turned.”

I throw my head back with laughter, loving that I hear her joining in. “Oh, little demon.” I tenderly pat her inner thigh. “She hasn’t fed?—”

“Since when?” she pushes. “Please don’t tell me since she was turned.”

I glance at her and give a single nod.

“Why…?” The gentleness of her tone pulls my body more upright. “How is she still functioning?”

My eyes fix ahead, watching the bright red lights of the cars flashing by us as I speed down the highway.

“She said she refuses to feed on anyone but you.” I don’t look at her, but she stays silent, so I continue, “I’m unsure of the true reason.

Could be she was using it as incentive—Brice likes her and doesn’t want anything to happen to her. ”

She lets out a deep, guttural groan, so intense that she has to pause and catch her breath once it’s over. “Fucking piece of shit. He tricked her! My princess is not that gullible to fall for him after that.”

I keep my thoughts to myself, choosing not to mention that Sydni slept with him. I’m not entirely sure why, but there’s this nagging feeling that she’d somehow blame me for not stopping it—and punish me for it.

“Why do you bring up that she hasn’t fed? I was commenting about why she refused to get into our car. Like… she’s afraid of me or something…”

I lift my hand to her chin, my thumb gently tracing the line of her jaw. “She’s not afraid of you. Stop,” I say softly. My gaze flicks to her, noticing how she leans ever so slightly into my touch. “My guess? She’s nervous. Now that you’re here, she’ll have to feed for the first time.”

She hums quizzically. “Does she think I’ll say no?”

Shaking my head, I move my hand back down to her upper thigh.

“No, it’s more along the lines of now she’ll have to perform the act.

Drinking blood, it’s not as cut and dry as it seems. There’s the act of piercing, then staying in control.

She will likely consume a lot this first time, which I’ve told her will happen because she’s waited so long. ”

“You’ll show her how.” It’s not really a question, but I nod regardless. “Suppose it’s a good thing I’m still in this form, or not. I’m not convinced she isn’t afraid of me. I think you’re sparing my feelings.”

“Little demon, when have I ever spared your feelings? I promise she isn’t afraid of you.”

“Okay, then you’re only saying that because of my tail.”

There’s no explaining why I’m so addicted to it.

She mentioned she had one, but the moment I saw it, I swear my heart nearly burst. Her horns are undeniably badass, but that tail?

All I can think about is feeling it wrapped around my waist again while we cuddle.

I thought I was obsessed before, but godsdamn—now I’m completely infatuated.

“Your pussy was gripping my cock the moment I started kissing it.” My playful tone is met with her smacking the top of my hand. “I’ll crawl to you if you promise to at least try to keep it out.”

“Kairhyse Monroe.” The back of her hand meets my chest and I laugh through a choked cough. “You’re insatiable.”

I peek at her and she’s rolling her eyes, turning her head away from me. “Do me a favor and I won’t beg for the tail.” The tips of my finger brush under her chin, dragging her to look back at me.

“Sure,” she says. I know she loves the attention her tail is getting, and even if I say I won’t beg for it, doesn’t mean I won’t play with it.

“Say your first name.”

“Xeraphine.” She says it slowly, as if nervous.

“Now say my last name.”

“Monroe.” Sometimes social cues and subtleties like this go right over my girl’s head—and honestly, I couldn’t be more pleased. It sounds perfect, just as I suspected it would.

“Beautiful, thank you.” I trace my thumb gently down her lips before letting my hand slide back to her thigh.

“Huh?” She brushes her hand against mine, tapping it softly. “Why’d you have me say that?” I only grin, which has her patting my forearm. “You’re acting weird. What happened?”

“So, Sydni will need to feed when we stop.” I move on, and relish in the aggravated sigh she produces. “At this point, if you would have it so, I’ll throw her over my shoulder and cart her off.”

She doesn’t respond, not with anything coherent, at least. Everything she says comes out in mumbles, under her breath, or just a string of curse words. This is my eternity with her: a delicate balance of pissing her off and pleasing her in equal measure.

A few hours later, under the cover of night, we pull into a small town tucked between a serene lake and one of the largest waterfalls south of the Baltic Ocean—the body of water separating this country from our northern sister.

Though the falls are hidden in the darkness, their distant roar greets us as soon as we step out of the car.

Xeraphine is the first out, taking a deep breath of the crisp night air and throwing her arms overhead in a long, lazy stretch. The brief glimpse of her belly button has my tongue instinctively grazing my upper teeth.

“Never thought I’d say it… but I miss your staring. Creepy Vampire. ”

Before she can step away from the vehicle, I’m already at her side. She doesn’t flinch at my sudden appearance; instead, she leans casually against the car, her eyes locking with mine. I move closer, stepping between her legs and bracing myself on an elbow as I lean in.

We’re only a few minutes ahead of Sydni and the others, so I resist the urge to tease her. Instead, I let the back of my hand trail down her leather-like skin, savoring the unfamiliar texture.

“There is nothing better to stare at,” I purr against her lips.

“Shut upppp !” Her hands drag up my chest and rest against my neck. “So stupid.” Pulling me into a kiss, she rolls her tongue against mine as I open to welcome her to enter. Flicking the metal balls in her mouth, I’m rewarded with a soft whimper.

My hips press against hers as my arm slips around her waist, drawing her closer. Her back arches effortlessly, curving to rest fully against the car, molding perfectly to my body.

I’m a weak man, because as soon as her leg lifts, I drag my hand under her tights and take her tail between my fingers.

She shrieks. “Damn it, Kai!”

“Shut up, Xera, and let me have this.”

After she smacks me and we both dissolve into a fit of laughter, Alaric’s car finally pulls into the hotel parking lot. I catch my girl watching me intently, her gaze lingering until the car doors open. Her focus shifts immediately as Sydni sluggishly steps out from the back seat.

Niyla follows close behind, and for that, I’m oddly grateful. I don’t want her anywhere near Brice, even if he’s done nothing but look out for her since pulling her from that vehicle that day.

Sue me—I’m overprotective.

“I’ve checked us in electronically,” Niyla says, supplying a loud, drawn-out yawn.

“Check your phones, I’ve sent the information for your rooms. Four in total, and Sydni, I’ve sent you our room details.

See you later. Night, fuckers.” She disappears quickly off toward the towering hotel.

It’s at least fifteen stories, and I imagine has an incredible view of the lake during the day.

The sign reads “Rocky Hill Suites” and judging by the name alone, it’s probably not cheap. Good. If Alaric can afford a butler—and all the other expenses we’ve racked up so far—he can keep footing the bill for this little stop of ours.

At any point, he’s welcome to fuck off, and we’ll figure out another way to get around.

“Xeraphine.” The Fallen moves toward us, and I narrow my eyes at him. “Can we speak in the morning? ”

Looking at her, she wears a disgusted expression—lip curled, nostrils flared—and I can’t help but love it. “Uh, sure, we can all have breakfast together. Whatever.”

Even with her shrugging him off, he still persists, “Alone, just to talk. I won’t try anything funny.”

She snort-laughs. “No.”

“I’ll answer your questions.”

Throwing her head back, she groans, “You are fucking exhausting, do you know that?! I’ll just tell Kairhyse. Why be so secretive?”