VHEX

I’m on fire and falling a-fucking-part.

Everything burns.

My nerves twist in smoking ropes.

Only blood dulls the pain.

Then I feel the icy touch that puts out my flames.

Guide .

“What’s your name, Sentinel?” A petal-soft voice shoots down the lava tube into my brain.

I shudder from my balls. My vision clears. The shapes of enemies fade.

All that’s left is HER.

My Guide.

Her skin is flushed. Pieces of long, brown hair from a ponytail stick to the sweat I suddenly need to lick from her throat.

She wears jeans and a soft sweater. Like she ran out to grab some pumpkin spice. Her white sneakers wade in the kobold entrails she crossed to save me.

The way she breathes.

The way she blinks those glowing, blue eyes.

The way her body calls to mine.

She tastes like sugar and spearmint.

A cold pool of water, offering to quench the ripping flames.

Every move screams that she was made for me.

My fang throbs.

I can keep her for a bite.

She licks her lips, agreeing.

Why wait?

I’m locking this shit down.

Before my sweet, misguided Guide realizes how fast I’ll drag us both to hell.

As long as I go first.

“I’m Vhex,” I tell her the only name she’ll need after tonight. “You call me husband.”