Page 5 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter Four

Hazel

“ W hat the hell was that?” I ask as soon as the door closes behind the angel.

Zephyrus .

It’s a fitting name for an adversary, and my head is a wreck. There’s every chance I should be running right now, but that might be more conspicuous than how I just acted.

“That was an angel. I’m not sure how you missed it.

They have a distinct stench. It’s nearly impossible to ignore.

” Annex chuckles. My eyes narrow, and I twist to look up at him over my shoulder.

He knows as well as I do that I was talking about the way he acted and not what species Zephyr is.

“The store closed ten minutes ago. I was waiting outside to ask you out for coffee. Only I peeked in the window, and it became clear you were in over your head.” He finally releases my shoulder, stepping to the side of my chair.

“Don’t you know how dangerous it is to play games with angels? ”

“Play games?” I hiss, shoving out of my seat. “He came in looking for services.”

Annex smiles a little too widely, and my eyes narrow.

“What’s so funny?”

“Usually when I hear, He came in looking for services , it’s in regards to something else.

” He grins, and it transforms his entire face.

“Now, are you hungry? I asked around and found a restaurant the humans and shifters seem to enjoy. I’m afraid I won’t be able to eat with you, but if you’re feeling generous, you could top me up?—”

My face burns, and I jab a finger at the sex demon’s chest. “Not gonna happen.”

“You’re stunning.” He wiggles his dark brows. “I’m starving. I had to at least try my luck. I thought maybe you were feeling charitable after my save. I’m famished, and you smell delectable. Even a quick peck would help.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure you have people lining up to ensure you stay well fed, and that’s something we need to discuss. If you’re going to have people over for… that kind of thing , I would appreciate it if you could handle it once I’m gone for the day.”

He chuckles darkly. “Don’t worry, baby doll. That won’t be a problem. I have my eyes on a certain meal, and I’m afraid, at this point, nothing or no one else will do.”

Okay, then why did he just ask me to kiss him? Sometimes I wish I inherited my mother’s social skills. She does fertility magic and general women’s care. She never struggles to put her patients at ease, and she always seems to understand how to interact with others.

That isn’t me.

I inherited the vast majority of my personality from Wraith. He’s a reaper and equally incapable of comprehending why others act the way they do.

I can never tell if I’m socially inept because most beings intrinsically fear me, meaning they don’t interact with me like they would anyone else. Or if I just got unlucky “awkward” genetics in the DNA lottery that formed me.

I’m going to have to pee after all the coffee I’ve downed to pretend to be normal, and that annoys me to no end.

Bodily functions are so… human .

A truly unfortunate experience all around.

Who wants to have to clean a toilet after they’ve used it?

If I didn’t need to shower and brush my teeth, I would never even step foot inside a bathroom.

Annex and I seated ourselves just outside the coffee shop, and every time I’ve finished off my drink, the incubus helpfully pops up to get me another cup.

How many cups would a human or witch consume before politely begging him to stop being so helpful?

I cross my legs and frown at how badly I need a toilet.

How does my mother stand to experience this feeling every single time she eats or drinks something? It’s inconvenient and borderline annoying.

“So, tell me more about these house rules you mentioned,” Annex murmurs, stretching back in his chair. He pulls a hand up, running it through his dark hair. It immediately falls back into place, looking just as perfect as before he disturbed it.

His horns are missing at the moment, and while it makes him look slightly more human, the shimmery skin gives it away.

I don’t walk around in monster form, solely because no one would ever want to be around me again, but I can imagine how freeing it would be. It makes me wonder why he doesn’t stay in full incubus form all the time. It would be safe enough. The sanctuary ward around Black Cove ensures that.

“Rules, darling,” Annex says, cracking a playful smile. “I believe you were about to enlighten me on them.”

“It’s not my home, so I can’t impose rules,” I say, placing my cup on the small table. “I just hope we can find a way to coexist—to be mindful of one another. Like if you get off work at three in the morning and make a lot of noise as you come in, that will probably wake me up.”

Technically speaking, I don’t require sleep to function. Although I do find the action comforting.

When I was a baby, I never slept.

Ever.

It almost drove my mom crazy, but my fathers split shifts, often taking me out of the house on walks to keep me from waking the others, who did require sleep to function.

Around three years old, I finally started napping, and after they got over the fear something was wrong with me, they asked me to rest for at least six hours a night.

It took some practice, but I got the hang of it.

Over the years, it’s become a habit, and since I know almost no one in Black Cove, it’s a convenient way to pass the time.

“Are you really that light of a sleeper?” Annex asks, smirking. “What if I tiptoe?”

“I don’t think that will be a problem.” I smile tightly. “As long as your guests are also respectful of the fact I might be asleep.”

He chuckles. “I think you’ve greatly overestimated my ability to make friends. I’m just as new to town as you are.”

That might be true, but he’s an incubus. He should have a much easier time than I do getting to know people. Sex demons are flirtatious and outgoing. Or maybe I’m stereotyping based on the few of his species that I’ve met.

“I’m not really worried about friends you might have over to hang out.” I roll my eyes. “I meant sexual partners. ” My face heats as I realize I whisper-hissed the last few words.

Why am I so awkward? I’m a powerful demon. I shouldn’t blush from simply talking about sex.

“Gods, you are adorable.” He grins, shaking his head. “Any other rules I should know about? Sorry. I meant guidelines. Any other guidelines I should know about how to be a respectable housemate?”

My teeth dig into my lower lip.

Shit.

I made a small mental list, but he put me on the spot. “We should respect each other’s private spaces and clean up after ourselves if we make a mess in the common rooms.”

“Like the kitchen and living room?”

“Exactly,” I say, nodding.

Annex leans back in his chair, raising his hands above his head as he stretches. “That sounds reasonable.” The bottom of his T-shirt rises with his movements, showing off several inches of shimmery skin. “Anything else you’d like to discuss?”

I clasp my hands together in my lap to keep from fidgeting as I think through his question. “I believe that’s it, but we can always reconvene later if something unexpected comes up.”

“Sounds good to me.” He nods at my empty to-go cup. “Finished? Or would you like another? You might be pushing the limit on free refills, but I’m happy to buy you another cup if they cut you off.”

“Hell no.” I shake my head. “I’m already about to pop. If you’ll excuse me, I need to find a toilet.” I shove my chair back and stand to the sound of Annex’s laughter.

“You are a strange little witch, indeed,” he murmurs as I’m pulling open the door to the coffee shop.

Without enhanced hearing, I would have missed that, which means I can’t turn around and glare. Witches have a sense of hearing that’s on par with humans.

I miss Haven so much.

And I really miss not having to pretend to be someone I’m not.