Page 34 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Annex

Two Weeks Later

I try not to torment Zephyr too much these days. The poor guy has been through it.

That doesn’t mean I can stop myself from laughing as he struggles to look badass wielding a three-inch-long dagger.

It probably serves him right for hunting Hazel around the globe for months, but Hazel’s dads have confirmed the demon blacksmith is actively working on another, more appropriately sized, sword.

Personally, I’m fond of Truthseeker, and not just because Zeph looks pained every time he has to wield it. It’s a very aptly named companion since Zephyr is finally stepping into his age of enlightenment.

I still give him hell occasionally, mostly because that’s what friends do. I’m actually really proud of how far he’s come.

I lean against the tree, watching Hazel watch Zeph. She looks physically pained, like she’s having to fight against her instinct to interfere.

Zephyr is more than capable of handling one vampire, but I laugh when he tosses Truthseeker in the air and slams his fist into the vampire’s face.

The vampire stumbles back, and Zephyr tackles him, raising his hand. The dagger falls from the ether, landing in Zeph’s palm, and he stabs it straight into the vampire’s heart.

“See, baby doll. He totally had that.” I chuckle at the glare she shoots my way. “If you need to protect someone, I’ll pick a fight so you can come to my rescue…” I wiggle my eyebrows. “That actually sounds really hot. Let’s role-play that sometime.”

“This takes so much longer than it would with Oathkeeper,” Zeph grumbles.

Movement catches my eye near the tree line, and my head tilts.

Hazel disappears from view and reappears at the edge of the forest just in time to wrap her clawed hand around a female vampire’s throat.

Well, shit.

That vampire is old too, at least based on how long her fangs are. Luckily, I know my mate can handle herself, so I settle back against the uncomfortable tree bark.

“You’re only coming to his aid because you feel like you have to.

Not because he was truly worth saving.” Hazel’s head tilts.

“That makes me sad for you. You know he wouldn’t have risked his life for you.

” She spins around, holding the struggling vampire off the ground by her throat. “Why would you risk yours for him?”

The female vampire fails to answer as she scratches at Hazel’s arm, but that was likely rhetorical, anyway.

No matter how much she fights Hazel’s hold, she doesn’t have a chance.

My mate is a badass.

And now my dick is hard.

“She’s done nothing severe enough to deserve being devoured. I’m going to siphon her somewhere a few hundred miles away so she isn’t tempted to interfere.”

I nod. “We’ll be here when you get back.”

Hazel disappears with the vampire, and I refocus on Zeph. He’s staring down at the blade, like he can’t believe it’s taking so long to suck up the male vampire’s soul.

I chuckle.

Life is way more interesting with those two in it.

When Hazel’s family came to the rescue, no one thought about what would happen to the souls Zephyr harvests.

Without access to Heaven, he can no longer deposit them in the labyrinth.

Along the same unfortunate vein, not all souls are vile enough for Hazel to feel comfortable sucking them out of Truthseeker to devour.

It led to quite the conundrum until Hazel offered to take Zephyr to the pit in Hell to offload. While I fully trust her ability to not let anything kill me, I chose to skip that first trip and all the subsequent ones since.

Getting out of Hell the first time was pure luck. I have no intention of ever going back, even for a five-minute soul drop-off in the pit.

I consider it their thing now.

I’m lounging on the couch while wondering how likely it would be that I could successfully call in sick to work when they pop into the living room. I mean, demons never get sick, but also, I just really don’t want to go to work tonight.

“Did everything go okay?” I ask as Zephyr heads over, taking a seat on the club chair.

“Indeed,” he agrees. “They scatter like rats any time they sense her energy.”

I chuckle, holding out my arms. “Aww, baby doll. Even the scariest monsters in Hell know the deal.”

She rolls her big blue eyes, walking over and climbing into my lap. Her head tilts, and she pokes her lip out. “It would hurt my feelings if I gave a shit, but alas, I’m satisfied with two pain in the ass mates. I don’t need random demons getting any ideas about trying to woo me.”

I pinch her arse and laugh as she squeaks. “No, you definitely don’t.”

It’s two more weeks before the demonic blacksmith comes through with a new blade.

Being surrounded by Hazel’s family is always a chaotic experience, but the smile on Zephyr’s face is worth it. Although I do side-eye a little when her fathers light up as Zephyr lifts his new sword.

I chuckle, pulling Hazel to my chest with a hand on her arse while they’re distracted. “I believe your dads like him better than me.”

“Yeah, but my mom loves you.” Hazel snorts, stretching up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. She gets very close to my ear and whispers, “They just don’t like seeing you well fed since they know what you eat.”

I laugh.

Well, that’s probably true.

“Love you, baby doll.”

“I love you too. Now let’s go check out Zephyr’s new blade.”

“Do you get to keep Truthseeker?” I ask, wrapping my arm around Zephyr’s shoulder.

“Nah, it’s a one-weapon deal. My soul can only be tethered to one, but check out how badass Nightfall is.” His eyes sparkle as he holds up the massive sword.

“It’s beautiful,” Hazel says, stretching her fingers out to run over the handle.

Zephyr chuckles, and the blade disappears back into the ether. “Not as beautiful as you. Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

Hazel wraps her arms around his middle, peeking up at him from her lashes. “I love you too. Now, let’s pop somewhere and really put Nightfall to the test.”

They disappear in a smoky cloud of shadows, and Hazel’s dads turn to face me.

I smile awkwardly and wave. I’m still in the process of winning over my new dads.

I’m going to spank that naughty devourer’s backside for abandoning me with her family.

Where is Nadia?

Maybe she’ll protect me while Hazel and Zeph hunt.