Page 52 of Seared Fates

I look back at my client, scoffing in Vidar’s direction. “Goths, so fucking dramatic.”

This clears the confusion from her face, and she laughs again.

I wrap up her thigh in cling film and a thin layer of healing gel, then hand over a leaflet of instructions on how to keep her tattoo clean, because she definitely didn’t listen when I explained them and send Hazel on her way.

“You really don’t give a shit if people know vampires are real,” I say as I sanitise my chair.

He shrugs like it's the least interesting thing in the world. “People say they’ve seen ghosts all the time, and no one believes them.”

I straighten. “Ghosts are real?”

“Probably.”

“Probably?”

“I’ve never seen one.” He pops a marshmallow in his mouth. “I have no clue.”

“Oh my god, I’m actually gonna fucking kill you.”

He chuckles.

I look Vidar over, his deep laugh sending warm tingles across my skin. It’s so easy to imagine that rumble as he presses into me while in bed, lying out and naked. Sweaty and satisfied.

I spray him again.

He grunts. “What was that for?”

“You’re turning me into a vampire?” I cock my hip, eyebrow raised. “Are you fucking stupid?”

“You’re my soulmate, of course I’m turning you.”

I pause, spray him again, much to his annoyance, and stomp towards the basement. “Don’t follow me, I need a break from you before I shove this bottle up your ass.”

Chapter twenty-one

Vidar

Ablonde head moves past the front window ofKing’s. While I want to follow Kai, I think better of it and instead leave the tattoo studio’s warmth for the brisk cold as I turn into the red-brick alleyway.

“Not coming inside, Rurik?” I ask.

From where he’s seated on a low wall, milky sunlight softens his blonde hair and pale skin.

“Apollo doesn’t like me in there,” he replies easily. “And why are you out here, Maker?”

“I’ve annoyed Kai,” I admit, sitting beside him.

“I’m not surprised,” Rurik snorts, “you’re an asshole. What’d you say this time?”

“That I plan to make him a vampire.”

“See, an asshole,” he quips, his slight Russian accent making an appearance.

“And you’d know what he wants better?” I snap.

Tilting his head to the side, Rurik gives me a sly, knowing grin as he lifts his wide shoulders in a gesture that sets my teeth on edge.

“I didn’t come here to talk about how you…spent time with him.” I bite each distasteful word.