Page 77

Amari

Three Days Later—The Tourist Island

I hold Carla’s hand, our fingers intertwined as we make our way from the docks toward the sheriff’s station.

There’s something different about her today—a confidence I haven’t seen before.

The humans we pass avoid her, looking away as she approaches, but she doesn’t shy away or shrink herself like she usually does.

She doesn’t even do her usual crossing to the other side of the street to avoid them.

Instead, she keeps her head high and walks steadily.

The way she holds my hand—so sure, so certain—makes me wonder if this change has something to do with me feeding on her. Whatever the reason, I like this new Carla.

She looks back at me, her brow furrowed. “What?”

I just smile at her, taking in the sight of her. “Just admiring everything you do.”

She narrows her eyes at me, then sighs and turns back to the path ahead. “I want some fudge. I haven’t had it in a while.”

My smile widens. She glances back at me again, suspicion flickering in her gaze.

“You’re acting so weird today,” she says, but there’s no real concern in her voice.

I want so badly to tell her how confident and beautiful she is right now.

I want to book a room in the tourist hotel and have a private moment with her.

I realize with a jolt that I haven’t craved Carla in this way before.

My mouth actually waters at the thought of running my tongue all over her body.

And what the fuck, I just had her a couple of hours ago before we left, and it’s still not enough.

Every little thing she does turns me on.

And the way her ass is thickening in her jeans. Goddamn.

I adjust my tie as I open the door to the bakery for her, and she steps inside. The humans inside immediately notice her, shifting away like water parting around a stone, but she doesn’t even pay attention. It’s like she’s commanding the space.

Leah comes out from behind the kitchen, her face lighting up when she sees us.

I smile, then bow my head to her in greeting.

Carla smiles proudly beside me, still holding my hand.

She has no idea how much it means to me that she claims me publicly with pride despite my reputation.

I was afraid it would always affect her in some way.

But she hasn’t brought it up, not once since the limbo incident.

“Look at you two, looking adorable as ever,” Leah says, her gaze flicking to the customers who have bunched up at the other side of the display cases.

She frowns slightly, but Carla doesn’t even notice.

Her focus is entirely on the different flavors of fudge stacked up neatly with their prices on display.

“I don’t get to see you much,” I say to Leah. “What a pity.”

Leah giggles. “It’s because Kade forbid me to go anywhere near you.”

I roll my eyes at that, noting how Carla giggles a little too as she searches for the flavor she wants, never letting go of my hand.

“But it’s silly, really,” Leah continues, leaning closer. “Because I can see it in his pretty gold eyes.” She nods toward me. “He’s smitten with her.”

I don’t take my eyes off Carla. “I am. Very much smitten with my mate.”

The whispers of the customers grow louder, and I have to bite back a hiss. Leah leans in, her voice dropping. “I get it. These humans can be a handful. Can’t stand us, but have to be in our spaces.” She rolls her eyes dramatically.

Leah bends down into the display case. “Getting your usual?” she asks Carla.

“Yes, please,” Carla responds.

Leah grabs a couple of cubes of Wintermoon milk chocolate flavor fudge and places them on a napkin, handing it to Carla. “Don’t worry, it’s magic-free.”

Carla starts to dig into her pocket to pay, and I squeeze her hand, giving her a pointed look. Her cheeks flush a pretty pink.

“Sorry,” she mumbles. “I forget you’re crazy about me paying for stuff.”

I reach into my pocket for my wallet, but Leah waves me off.

“It’s on me,” she insists. “I love seeing fated couples just out enjoying themselves—” she glances over to the humans with a forced smile “—despite the unwanted audience.”

Leah sighs dramatically. “You know how it is. When you’re a supernatural, you’re never really lonely. Because there’s always a human in your business. ”

I laugh at the parallel to the human trend. Leah draws in a deep breath.

“Enjoy your day,” she says. “I’ve gotta go entertain them.” She walks off, her voice suddenly bright with forced joy as she greets the human customers.

I reach for the fudge and pick up a piece as Carla reaches for it, ready for her treat.

It gives me great pleasure to feed her, especially when it’s something she enjoys.

She opens her mouth and takes a small bite as I bring it to her lips.

I then hand her the rest of the piece, picking up the one she just bit from and finishing it myself, savoring the taste.

“Tastes so much better with your flavor on it,” I murmur.

Carla blushes again as we walk out of the bakery, my hand pushing the door open and holding it for her. I take her hand again as we continue toward the station.

Through the windows, I can see Amir inside with Damon and Kade, which is odd. What the hell is he doing here? Bobby is there too, becoming noticeable when Amir steps out of view. My eyes linger on Bobby for a moment.

When we enter, Amir greets me with a smile.

“I was just admiring your lieutenant,” he says.

“Quite the gentleman.” He cocks his head to the side, marveling at Bobby’s afro.

“It’s a pity that I missed the civil rights movement.

What a sight I’m sure that was to see—to watch melanated people bathe in their true selves in a country built on the backs of their ancestors.

The shame of those filled with hatred...

” He laughs. “I bet they’re poking their heads under the table—those who have survived the digital age.

I’d hate to have those atrocities stamped on my bloodline. ”

Bobby gives him a Black Panther salute. “Right on.”

Amir tries to copy the salute, but it’s clear he’s never done it before. Bobby patiently shows him how to do it properly. Damon just smiles, then looks to me and Carla while Kade sips on her coffee, her eyes scanning some computer documents with a troubled expression.

Damon approaches us. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“Bobby finally got intel on what’s happening behind that secret chamber in Brookstone and Blackburn’s lab,” Damon explains.

Kade grabs an image from her desk, walking around and scowling at Amir who’s trying for the third time to get the Black Panther salute right. Bobby remains patient with him as Kade hands me a picture. Carla looks up at it.

She snatches the image from my hand, her eyes widening in shock.

The photo shows a massive spider encased in what appears to be a large aquarium.

The creature sits on a web that glows with a deep pink, almost red light.

Its abdomen is marked with what looks like DNA strands pulsing with the same eerie glow.

“Is that my magic?” Carla asks, her voice barely above a whisper, alarm evident in her tone.

I sigh and take the image back from her. Amir finally breaks away from Bobby and approaches us, his hands behind his back.

“It looks like my late sister’s corporation made a spider with Carla and her children’s DNA,” he says matter-of-factly.

“We need to put it down immediately,” I say firmly. “There’s no telling what it’s capable of.”

Carla drops what’s left of her fudge and puts her face in her hands. I move to comfort her, but pause when Amir announces he’s going for a walk. I beat him to the door before he can reach it.

Amir raises an eyebrow at me. “I could teleport or even better, snap my fingers and evaporate you from the door.” He quickly looks back to Carla, who’s glaring daggers at him, and smiles widely.

“I’d never do that though, Carla,” he assures her, likely knowing she would probably find the strength to send him to limbo.

“This is nothing,” Amir continues dismissively. “We’ve destroyed Amil—what can this thing do that Amil couldn’t?”

“Possibly open the doorway to limbo,” I counter.

Damon and Kade approach. “Amari is right,” Damon says. “You should go back to the royal island.”

Amir scrunches his face in displeasure. “I will not. I’ve been on that island listening to the vampires for months.

And Anora gave her approval for me to travel within Wintermoon.

The tourist island is Wintermoon.” His expression hardens.

“Brookstone and Blackburn wouldn’t dare be stupid enough to encroach on our lands. ”

He looks at me with a glare. “Step aside. I’d like to get some fresh air and greet the people.”

I move reluctantly, but Damon, Kade, and I follow him out the door. Kade bursts through behind us.

“Oh hell no,” she mutters, leaving Carla behind with Bobby.

“I’m not a fan of the Christmas theme,” Amir comments as we walk. “I don’t understand why humans attach themselves to this holiday more than the others.”

I exchange glances with Damon and Kade but keep following. As we move through the streets, I notice something disturbing—children’s eyes glowing in the dark corners of the tourist island. So many of them are here, which isn’t normal. I adjust my suit and grab Damon’s arm, stopping him.

“A lot of Carla’s and my children are here,” I say quietly. “That means...”

Damon groans and turns away from me, picking up his pace to try and convince Amir to return to the royal island. Kade walks side by side with Amir, feigning a smile as she listens to him rant about the irritating green and red lights that appear every winter.

“I get it,” Kade says diplomatically. “You know, it’s really a good time to be home with Anora and Solomon.”