Page 9

“Knock it off!” She dropped her menu as Barret approached the table, smiling like a smug and arrogant asshole.

“I’m waiting,” I poked the glass of water on the table, slowly moving it toward Barret as he sat down.

Libra watched, pretending not to notice.

The man was too busy resuming whatever benign conversation they were having, unaware of what was happening.

“Or what, Libra?” She dropped her mouth open to speak, unable to form words.

I sighed. “Too bad.” My claw flicked the glass into the man’s lap as he reacted.

Libra gasped, offering to help as I bolted to the same waiter from before.

“Sorry, fleshbag. I may be chained to you, but you don’t own me.

” Libra’s eyes met mine as she watched me stab the man’s heart with my claw, twisting them deep into his skin.

He clutched his chest as I released him, dropping the tray of glasses, falling over as his body began to convulse.

All eyes in the restaurant turned to him, a few people rushing to his aid, including Barret.

“Someone call an ambulance!” The commotion drew everyone’s attention away as they desperately tried to help the poor man.

I dallied to Barret’s now-empty chair, propping my feet up on the table as Libra glared at me, mortified. “What did you do to him?” she demanded, tears swelling in her eyes.

“Nothing that can’t be undone.” I stabbed a piece of bread with my claw, raising it to my widened mouth.

“Humans. He’ll reach the hospital and the doctors will save him.

” I ate the whole slice in one bite, licking my claw clean.

“I already broke the rules and killed one human for you, Libra. I won’t be making that mistake twice.

But us sleep demons are easily bored. We need to be busy, or else we—” I waved my hand in the direction of the fallen man as the sound of sirens played in the distance.

“You play with people’s lives as if they were pieces in a game. That’s sick, Axelle.” Libra shot from her chair, throwing her napkin on the table as she grabbed her things. I quickly bolted to her side, hissing into her ear as she tried to ignore me, heading for the exit.

“Sick?” I threw my head back as I laughed. “I’m a fucking sleep demon!” Libra shoved through the growing crowd and out the front doors of the restaurant. “Toying with lives is my sole purpose! You are my sole purpose?—

“I didn’t ask for this!” she screamed, nearby humans glancing at her like she was crazy as she wiped her eyes. “Please, it’s just,” she covered her face with her hands, “just find someone else to haunt.”

“I already told you, there is no one else!” I groaned, annoyed with how upset she’d gotten over nothing. “I don’t understand why you’re getting so worked up over a fucking waiter?—”

“You really don’t get it? Axelle, murder is wrong!” She growled the statement through grit teeth.

“Technically, I didn’t kill him.”

“But you did kill that man who broke into my house! God, you can’t just go around killing people.” She stomped her foot. “You need?—”

“No.” I gripped her neck with my tail, silencing her as I spoke.

“You need to listen to me. As shocking as it may seem to you, I’ve only ever killed one human in all my existence.

One . And it was to protect you. So maybe you should shut your mouth and be just a little more grateful I risked so much to protect you.

Open your eyes, Libra. Yes, I killed someone, but it was for you.

And ever since, I’ve been trying to behave like you asked, but excuse me for struggling to break centuries' worth of habits within a handful of days!” Her eyes stared at me in horror.

I didn’t mean to frighten her, but I needed her to listen, to know that, despite her feelings and my actions, I really was trying.

I slowly unwrapped my tail from her neck as she stared at me, gasping for air.

“Libra!” Her eyes moved to Barret as he rushed to her.

Fucking great.

“Hey! You left so suddenly.” He looked at her closer. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she lied, clearing her throat. “Just choked on some gum, but it’s fine. I’m fine.” The ambulance whipped into the parking lot as paramedics rushed inside the building.

“Well, what do you say we get out of here? I could walk you home?” Barret asked, offering his arm. Libra hesitated before smiling and accepting.

I remained still, my head lowering as they walked past. I stood there, in that same spot, for a few minutes before sluggishly following behind.

Way to fucking go, Axelle. You probably just ruined any kind of coexistence with her. Barret and Libra turned a corner, escaping from view as I reluctantly followed like a broken animal. I pushed her too far, crossed too many boundaries, and now, she probably hated me.

The two humans were walking in the direction of her home, taking the long scenic route. I knew what her plan was, as she had done the same thing with the last person she dated. And now, I get to fucking watch and hear her mess around with this prick. Serves you right, Axelle.

The two approached Libra’s door, awkwardly trying to say goodbye as I watched from across the street.

I guess this is my life now, watching from a distance.

Barret leaned in, giving Libra a kiss. She tried to pull back, probably nervous, but he kept going, kissing her harder.

The collar around my neck yanked as the chains tugged at it, telling me something was wrong.

I stepped forward, trying to see what was happening, when Libra broke free of the man and slapped him.

Hell fucking no . I rushed across the street, my eyes locked onto her as the two began to argue.

I could smell her fear in the air, and I growled as I neared her.

“That doesn’t give you a right to be so pushy! What the hell is?—”

“Look, I’m sorry. I thought this is what you wanted!” His face was beaming red as I rushed behind him, towering over his human frame.

Libra’s eyes moved to me, her fear slowly fading away at the sight. “You need to leave, Barret.”

“Oh, come on. It was an honest mistake.”

“Now!” she snapped, her voice filled with an aggressive temper. The man groaned, lingering a moment before stomping off down the street. Once he was out of sight, Libra exhaled, falling back against her front door. Her eyes rose to me as I waited to see what she needed.

“Are you?—”

“Don’t.” She shook her head, unlocking the door as she stepped inside, leaving it open for me. I gave her some distance before I followed her and shut it, locking it tight. I could tell she wasn’t alright, that she needed something, but I wasn’t sure what.

“Axelle?” My head lifted at the sound of my name as my chain gently yanked me.

My feet quietly carried me down the hall to her bedroom door.

She was sitting on the edge of her bed, her shoes kicked off, and at her feet, my chain in her hand.

“Can you stay in here tonight? Above the bed?” My brows furrowed at the odd request. “I know things aren’t how either of us want, but,” she pulled the chain as it dragged me a little closer, “I don’t want to be alone, not after everything that’s happened. ”

That’s what it was. Libra wasn’t scared—she was lonely. And traumatized.

I stepped closer, lifting her head up to me. “If that’s what you want.” She nodded, the corner of her mouth curling up ever so lightly. “Would you like me to help you undress?”

“Axelle…” She rolled her eyes.

“I’m just asking.” I smiled, that little spark back in her irises. “Look, I promise I’ll behave.” I released her face and ran my claws along my chest. “Cross my heart.”

“Do you even have one?” She laughed, turning around, lifting her hair and pointing to the long black zipper of her dress.

I gently clasped it with my claws, taking my time as I unzipped her dress. “I do, and it’s as black as my soul.” She snapped around quickly, her face studying mine closely.

“You think you’re this terrifying monster, Axelle,” she stepped closer, “but you’re not.

You’re a big old softie.” She poked my heart with her finger.

“And I don’t think your heart is black. Dark gray, maybe, but not black.

” Libra smiled, walking to her closet as she changed inside it, away from my view.

“That’s where you’re wrong, human. If I didn’t have these chains—those rules—I would gladly terrorize every human soul on this Earth, devouring their fear until there was nothing left.”

Libra stepped out of the closet, her hair cascading down her back over a large, baggy t-shirt.

“Whatever you say, demon.” She crawled into her bed and scooted to one side, patting the other.

I couldn’t help but smile, removing my jacket before taking my place in the bed, sitting up next to her.

She turned the light off and curled up under the blankets.

We sat there, listening to the wind blow outside for a few minutes.

“Axelle,” she whispered.

“Yes?”

“Can you hold me?” The question sounded like it shocked her as much as it did me.

My voice escaped me. No human had ever laid with me before, and I wasn’t really sure what to do. “If you want,” was all I could manage.

Libra silently inched closer, laying her head on my chest. I carefully wrapped my arm around her body, her leg draping over mine as she scooted closer. My body instinctively reacted, excited at how close she was. Fuck, not now .

“Oh,” she froze, feeling it too. “I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t be. If anything, you should take it as a compliment.”

Libra giggled softly, leaning closer. “Never thought I’d be cuddling with the monster under my bed, the same one who used to haunt me almost every night.”

“And fucked you with his tail.” She smacked my chest as I ruptured into a low laugh. “You realize me scaring you is nothing personal, right? I didn’t do all those things to hurt you… I mean, you're stronger than the others. You always have been. But I never meant to hurt you. I just?—”

“It’s okay,” she whispered, her arm reaching across as she hugged me.

“See? Told you. A gray heart.” My mouth curled to my ears, my claws playing with her black hair as I listened to her breathing.

She was drifting off to a peaceful sleep.

Ironically, the one thing that had prevented her from such sleep all these years, was now the one thing that gave her the peace to sleep.

“Dark gray.”