Page 90 of Origins of Eternity

“Who are you?” Arwen repeated.

“My name is Cassia. I am a friend of Iro’s.”

“Iro? You’re friends with my girlfriend?”

Cassia growled and said, “Something you should know first: Iro isnotyour girlfriend. She is my wife; my beloved.”

She took a few steps toward Arwen.

“What?”

“Yes, she’s taken, and certainly not by you. She also sent me.”

“Iro sent you for–”

“Iro and I have… what you humans might call an open relationship at times. This is one of those times.”

“I’m so confused.”

“Of course, you are. You’re a human.”

She yanked on Arwen’s hand.

“Ouch!”

“You’ll be fine… in a few hours. Now, Iro sent me. You heard me, yes?”

“To do what?”

“To make you like one of us. She was tired of dealing with the human you and asked me to make you like us so you might evolve and be more tolerable to her. I disagreed, of course, but because she’s allowed her little breaks – or open relationships, to make it simpler for you – I told her I’d do it. Now, remember, you’ll have to give her back to me when our break is up, but this is for Iro. This is how much I love her. She says turn you, to make you like us because she’s too busy to do it herself, or whatever other excuse she’s come up with, and I give my beloved what she wants, always and forever.” Cassia shrugged her shoulder, making sure to sell it well, but feeling like she probably didn’t need to work so hard since she was dealing with a human.

“What are you–”

Arwen didn’t get to finish that sentence because she was now too busy screaming into Cassia’s ear as Cassia bit down into her wrist. Mildly annoyed now, Cassia dropped the wrist and covered Arwen’s mouth with her hand to get her to shut up while she bit into her own wrist and mixed their blood. Then, she put her finger into Arwen’s mouth and laughed as she earned the woman’s gag reflex.

“This is what she wanted, thisgirlfriend, as you call her. Now, I don’t have a lot of time because I think Zara might be on her way to Iro’s house. If I’m lucky, I’ll get there before her. So, here we go. Are you ready?” She removed her hand and finger. “Doesn’t matter,” she said and shook her head.

“Help!” Arwen yelled out, having sputtered and coughed.

“Well, fine; ruin my fun.” Cassia snapped Arwen’s neck. “Finally, some peace and quiet,” she stated and turned to go, leaving Arwen dead on the floor.

CHAPTER 26

Iro

Iro had expected Arwen back over an hour ago, and the few texts she had sent had gone unanswered. She hadn’t paid attention to the location Arwen had mentioned for her meeting with Zara. It was a coffee shop that the two of them went to sometimes, but she couldn’t recall if Arwen had given her the name of it. She knew Arwen hadn’t given her an address, so as she paced in her living room, worried, she thought about calling the last person she wanted to talk to in Cassia because she didn’t have Zara’s number, and if something was wrong with Arwen, it was likely Cassia’s doing.

She wasn’t sure when they’d gotten this way. When she had asked Cassia for another break years ago, Cassia hadn’t liked the idea, whereas in the past, she hadn’t had an issue. Iro knew Cassia sometimes preferred being able to do whatever she wanted without her moping about and asking her to stop feeding on humans, even the willing ones. The last time Iro had asked for a break, though, Cassia had agreed, but only for a year. Iro had mentioned ten, and Cassia had countered with two. They’d gone back and forth until Cassia had given in, which was a rare occasion, giving them ten years apart. Iro had no idea why this time had been different. They had been apart even for longer before, with Cassia having no problem staying at home in Florence or gallivanting around the world, having other womento satisfy her and humans to feed on, which seemed to be all Cassia ever wanted. Well, all she ever wanted besides Iro.

When the doorbell rang, she pushed all thoughts of Cassia and their centuries-long relationship aside and practically lunged to open it.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” she asked, seeing Arwen there, looking upset. “You’re late. I was worried. Didn’t you get my texts?”

“Oh, I got them,” Arwen said, walking into the apartment quickly. She looked around the open space and added, “I didn’t feel like responding after what just happened.”

“Arwen, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Iro hurried to her side and took her hand.