Page 51 of Seared Fates

But when I’ve got a needle in my hand and skin to create something that makes my clients feel like a badass, or happy, or healed, I know I’m on the right path.

“I’m his sixth best friend,” Vidar tells Hazel, then holds out the bag of marshmallows he’s been sharing with her while he leans against the wall, watching. “I’m working on getting higher.”

This makes her giggle. “Sixth?” She pops a marshmallow in her mouth.

“Seventh if he ain’t lucky,” I mutter.

I lean back to study the design, only to go back in to add more grey highlights.

“Kai’s an amazing artist, you made a good choice picking him,” Vidar says, scoffing another marshmallow.

As much as I grumble, I can’t lie that his words don't make my knees a little weak.

Good thing I’m sitting on my stool.

Hazel gazes down at her horse tattoo. “Aren’t they beautiful animals?”

Vidar nods, handing her another marshmallow. “Horses are strong creatures. The All-Father,Óðinn, had a powerful horse,Sleipnir.Sleipnircould travel between worlds and the afterlife. It was a creature of courage.”

Hazel presses the marshmallow to her chest, smiling shyly at the tattoo covering up self-harm scars. “Thank you,” she whispers.

My frustrations with Vidar melt. He’s a strong man, an ancient vampire, a warrior, and while he might live with his foot rammed permanently in his mouth, he doesn’t hurt people who need a little extra help.

“Ready for the best part, Hazel?” I say, grabbing the clear bottle, then spray cool water over her new tattoo.

Hazel frees a long breath. “That's so nice.”

“Oh yeah, everyone loves cleaning off a fresh tattoo.” I stand, snapping my black gloves off and tossing them in the yellow bio-waste bin. “Lemme show you this beauty in person.”

I take Hazel by the hand and help her to her feet, so she can see her new piece in my full-length mirror.

Still holding the marshmallow to her chest, tears swell in her eyes. “Thank you so much, Kai.”

“Any time, Hazel.”

“I should get a tattoo of yours,” Vidar says, nodding in approval. “Then I’ll have you on my skin forever.”

She giggles, still gazing at the mirror and moving her leg around to get a better look. “I think he might want to be your boyfriend.”

I roll my eyes.

“I want to turn Kai into a vampire,” he tells Hazel, no hesitation in his deep voice.

Every muscle, every hair on my body, stills.

“A vampire?” Hazel frowns at him through the mirror.

I can’t breathe. My heart stops pumping.

“Of course, so he’s mine forever.”

I hate Vidar so much—and hate how much I want him.

I hate that Vidar sees me as someone to have, but not to love. And I hate how badly I just want to hand my heart over and know to my fucking marrow he’ll protect it. Even when I know that ain’t how our story ends, and I gotta stop hoping for different.

Spray bottle in hand, I spritz the big vampire. “Don’t make choices for me without bloody asking.”

“Annoying,” he grunts.