Page 16 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter Fifteen

Hazel

T he universe hates me.

I’ve always honored the bigger picture and tried to respect that my powers are a gift. I don’t go around devouring people who annoy me. Although it would be excellent population control if that were the case. I always try to take out the souls that I truly believe are tainted beyond repair.

Why is the universe punishing me?

Annex lies next to me in my bed, but he hasn’t pressured me to talk. Speaking of talking, I’m going to have a serious conversation with Novak.

Maybe even devour him! Fine, I won’t actually eat him, but I’m definitely going to hint that I might.

What the hell was he thinking?

Greer’s pack knows I’m only in town because I’m being hunted by an angel and two sentinels.

Shit.

I wonder if they’ll be coming into town next.

“I’m never going to be able to feed again,” I whisper, my eyes falling shut. “I’m going to starve practically to death…”

“Oh, baby doll.” Annex brushes his fingers over my cheek. “I assure you, I won’t let that happen.” He really is sweet and far too sexy to be with someone like me, but I don’t want to jinx myself by focusing too heavily on that.

I just hope he doesn’t get bored too fast. I figure it’s inevitable that it’ll come at some point. I just want to enjoy what we have for as long as I can.

My eyes pop open, and I give him a soft smile. “I appreciate it, but I don’t like the idea of putting you in danger.”

“Ehh, I’m pretty sure you could kick that feathered fuck’s ass. Just flash him the tits long enough to distract him, and bam! Devoured.” Annex smirks, wiggling his eyebrows.

A shiver runs down my spine. He’s so hot it makes my brain a little melty. Not to mention, his playful personality is addictive. He’s my opposite in a lot of ways, but I like that. It levels out my overly serious nature.

“You’re ridiculous,” I whisper, running my fingers over his strong jaw.

“Ridiculously into you?” he murmurs, nuzzling his nose to mine. “Yeah, I really fucking am.”

“Me too,” I admit, pushing my lips to his.

Forcing myself out of bed the next morning isn’t easy. I didn’t think incubi slept, but I figure Annex is like me. While sleep isn’t required, it is a peaceful reset.

I slog through a shower, dress, and make myself leave through the front door to walk to work. Siphoning is so much easier, and it makes me really miss the days when I could be myself.

I’m only a couple blocks into my walk when Zephyr lands at my side in a crouch. His massive feathered wings stretch wide behind him, and I stop dead in my tracks.

He has his long, whitish-blond hair up in a bun on the top of his head, but small pieces fall around his face in the breeze. He’s clad in a white long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans, and I frown, realizing I never returned his coat.

It’s even chillier today than it has been recently, but he’s as immortal as I am. He wouldn’t freeze to death if we were in sub-zero temperatures.

It still kinda makes me feel like an asshole, though.

Great work, Hazel.

You killed the man’s friend and stole his jacket when he probably has few belongings here with him in Black Cove.

“I forgot to return your jacket,” I say, swallowing around the lump in my throat.

He might be kind of a pretentious dick, but I’m pretty sure that’s coded into his DNA and not a personality choice.

He’s gone out of his way to look after me, and I’ve done nothing but lie to his face. It’s out of necessity to ensure my survival, but it still doesn’t feel great.

Zephyr’s head tilts, and his icy gray eyes rake over my face. “Keep it as long as you need it. I thought you’d knock on my door to let me know it was time to accompany you to work.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do than to stand around the spell shop.” I offer what I hope comes across as a polite smile. “We’re in the middle of Black Cove. I don’t think anything is going to attack me at ten in the morning.”

“Yes, well, I find I’m not willing to take the chance that you might be wrong.” His wings stretch and pull close to his back. It really is a magnificent sight, even if demons are supposed to hate angels. “Do you not have access to a vehicle?”

I shake my head. “Spellbound is my first job. I haven’t had the chance to save up for one yet.”

Shit.

He’s a walking lie detector just like I am.

Sensing deception doesn’t necessarily tell him which part of that was untrue.

Hopefully the second part of my statement was ambiguous enough not to set off any alarm bells.

Technically, I haven’t been able to save up for a vehicle because I haven’t bothered trying.

My parents would have bought me a car, just like they did for Violet, but I’m able to siphon, so I’ve never had the urge to learn how to drive.

“So you rely on the incubus to siphon you places?” Zephyr asks.

I’m not sure if the disdain in his tone is for Annex or if he’s judging me for using him to get me around. Which isn’t even true. Sure, Annex siphoned us home last night, but that was only because I couldn’t do it myself with Zephyr watching.

“My own two feet are capable of getting me places.” I laugh awkwardly and sidestep his massive form before taking off down the sidewalk.

“You worry me, Hazel,” Zephyr murmurs, wrapping his arm around my middle from behind.

The next thing I know, I’m dangling a foot or two off the ground—damn height difference—and then, we’re in the air. The flapping of his wings sends a rush of cool air across my face, and I try to determine how a human or witch would act in this situation.

Even if he dropped me face first onto the concrete from fifty feet in the air, it wouldn’t kill me. It might ruin my day as I healed, but it’s hard to be afraid of simple things when you’re truly undying.

My hands fly to Zephyr’s forearm to hold on for dear life.

“A little warning would have been nice,” I mutter.

“I thought you would enjoy the view,” he says simply in response.

Wow.

I always thought I was the most socially inept person on the planet, but Zephyr might just take the cake.

My day only gets more awkward as Zephyr camps out in the shop. I mistakenly breathe a sigh of relief when he leaves around two p.m. Only he comes back with some type of human pasta in to-go containers with several caffeinated beverages.

I frown at the metal tray with a white cardboard lid as I try to come up with any feasible excuse for not eating.

“I don’t think I should eat. I have a stomachache,” I say, impressed with my ability to think on the fly.

“It’s likely due to not eating. You skipped breakfast,” Zephyr says, crossing his arms over his chest. “And you worked through lunch. Not that there was much need for it. I’m confused how this place even stays in business.”

“All it takes is selling one old spell book, and it more than pays for my hourly rate to have me here four or five days a week.”

“I see.” He stretches forward, grabbing the container in front of him at the small consultation table.

It’s where we sat the first time he came into the shop, but thankfully, I’m no longer terrified that he might attack at any moment.

“I believe you have the spaghetti with marinara sauce.” He works around the circular aluminum pan and pulls off the topper.

“That would make this the chicken fettuccine. I was unsure if you had a preference, so I got both. Just let me know if you’d like to switch. ”

He grabs a packet of plastic silverware and rips it open.

The moment is so surreal that I almost don’t know what to do with myself.

Just two mortal enemies, sitting around in a spell shop about to eat some Italian food…

Food that I’m probably going to have to vomit up later because my system isn’t set to digest it like a human’s would.

Liquids are one thing.

Solid food is another entirely.

I mean, I assume so.

Human food has never appealed to me, meaning I’ve never tried it.

I know my biological fathers can’t digest solid foods, but there’s the added component of my mother’s DNA mixed in somewhere, so maybe I can?

Finding out in front of an audience doesn’t sound the least bit appealing.

Today sucks.

“I didn’t know angels consumed human food,” I say, opening the container in front of me.

Maybe if I poke around enough, he’ll fail to notice that I didn’t eat any?

What has my life come to?

“Technically, I don’t need to,” he says, shrugging a muscular shoulder.

“Two of my best friends are sentinels. They require regular meals, and eating with them became a habit to avoid standing out. It’s the same reason I occasionally drink a beer while surveilling a target.

” His eyes cut to mine. “Would you prefer to switch before I dig in? I truly have no preference. Experience tells me both will be delightful.”

I smile, shaking my head.

Dammit.

He’s way too thoughtful for someone I’m supposed to be thinking of as my enemy.

“I’m good with this,” I assure him. “Thank you, Zeph.”

He nods. “Enjoy, Hazel.”

My chest gets tight.

If I hadn’t killed his friend, I could see the two of us getting along. We both naturally stick out among humans and even other supernaturals due to our power levels. We’re both painfully bad at holding a conversation. He’s also quite handsome. It’s too bad our species are bitter rivals.

I don’t think Zephyr is evil.

I’m just not sure he would feel the same about me if he knew what I really am.