Page 4 of The Jorogumo (The Sanctuary #2)

Haruto

After I'd discovered Liam was my mate, I hadn't reacted in the best possible way.

I'd managed to keep my cool until I got back to the Sanctuary. Since then, I'd been holed up in my house, only going out for meals and to do my required chores. My fellow supes were used to me being quiet, so no one bothered me, though I did have to make a quick exit the few times Dustin spotted me. Unlike the others, I knew he would demand to know what was wrong, and I wasn't ready to talk about this.

I wasn't just struggling with the fact that Liam was my mate. It was also the way I'd reacted to his desire.

I'd known for a long time that I wasn't interested in sex, that I felt uncomfortable at just the idea of being looked at as a sexual being .

Yet my reaction to Liam went against everything I'd ever believed about myself. Him being my mate couldn't possibly change me, could it? Why was he an exception to the rule?

Recalling the moment I'd realized he was my mate sent my powers surging through me, demanding to feed on the deliciously potent energy Liam's attraction to me had created.

It had to be the mate bond. It had given me a way to feed. That was, if I could get Liam to understand and respect my boundaries. And if I could manage to ask him out. I'd have to tell him all about supes as well.

The thought of doing all of that and being successful seemed daunting, and it was what had kept me from replying to Liam's texts. I'd needed time to get my thoughts in order, and then I'd simply chickened out.

But when I got his text asking if he'd done something wrong, I realized it hadn't been fair to ignore him. Even if he wasn't my mate, he was a damned good friend, and he didn't deserve to be treated like that.

I'd texted him saying I'd visit in a week, but after two days, I realized I couldn't stay away any longer, not now that I understood exactly why I'd been so drawn to him since our very first encounter.

Touya accompanied me once again, though he was heading right back home this time. I promised to text him when I was ready to head back, and he left as I made my way into the store.

Liam glanced up as I came in, and his eyes widened before a wide smile took over his face. Seeing how happy he was to see me, the last of my unease dissipated, and I smiled back.

"Hey, Liam."

"Haruto! I'm so glad to see you!"

"I'm sorry if I worried you," I said as he walked around the counter and stopped in front of me .

He shook his head, then pursed his lips as he watched me. After a moment, he asked, "Can I hug you?"

I blinked, surprised at the request, and nodded quickly. Grinning, he leaned down and wrapped his arms around my middle, giving me a tight squeeze before pulling back.

"I'm glad you're okay."

I smiled up at him, wondering how I was ever going to bring up what I wanted to ask him.

"What is it? You look like you want to say something."

The worried look on Liam's face pushed me forward, and I bit down on my lower lip as I gazed up at him. "Uh, I wanted to ask if maybe you'd want to grab a cup of coffee with me sometime?"

Liam blinked, surprise making his eyes flare wide. "Are you asking me out?"

I nodded mutely, and Liam's lips parted, though no words came out. I knew he was attracted to me, but had I misjudged the situation? Perhaps he had no interest in dating me.

"Uh, I'd like that. The bakery across the street has great coffee, and some damned good cupcakes. Maybe we could go there during my lunch break?"

I smiled widely, surprised and delighted that he didn't want to wait. "That sounds good."

Liam grinned, then shook his head. "I was not expecting that."

Smiling sheepishly, I ducked my head, then thought I should probably tell him what I could. I might not be able to reveal the supernatural stuff just yet, but I could tell him about my sexuality. As my mate, he would hopefully accept it, but it was possible he might need some time or explanations.

"Um, there's something I need to tell you, and if it changes your answer, I'll understand. "

Liam's brows furrowed, and he pulled a stool over to sit on, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees as his dark eyes peered into mine. "I don't think there's anything that can change my mind, but go on."

Hoping he was right, I blew out a breath and explained as succinctly as I could. "I'm somewhere on the ace spectrum. I don't really experience sexual attraction, and while I enjoy giving pleasure to my partner," a spark of pleasure raced up Liam's spine at that, and my powers reacted instantly. I had to shove them down before I could continue, "I do not want it to be reciprocated."

Liam watched me for a long moment after I'd stopped speaking, so long that I started thinking he was searching for a kind way to let me down. I was just about to offer him an out when he spoke.

"I can reciprocate in non-sexual ways, yes? Like with extra cuddles or your favorite food for dinner. Show you my appreciation."

I stared up at him, into those dark, curious eyes of his, and wondered how he'd known just the right thing to say. Was this what it felt like to click with your mate? No wonder Silas and Khush were head-over-heels for their mates.

"I'd like that," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper. In the few times I'd attempted to form a relationship with someone, human—back before I'd stopped feeding on them—or supe, no one had understood my limits as easily as Liam. There were always questions, clarifications, and even after all of that, most people assumed I'd change my mind once we started dating.

Of course, Liam wouldn't be my mate if he was the same as the others, would he ?

Liam

I had a date with Haruto! A date!

Of all the things I'd expected him to say, asking me out hadn't been it. Was this why he'd pulled away? Because he'd been trying to figure out his feelings?

I glanced down at myself, straightening my soft blue button-up and eyeing the comfortable black jeans I wore. If I'd known I'd be going on a date, I would've dressed up.

Then again, I was the one who'd suggested we go out on my lunch break, so I only had myself to blame.

"Everything okay?"

"Oh yes, everything's great," I said with a grin, making Haruto smile. "Oh, I just remembered! I found an issue in the stuff I bought from the garage sale and I think you'd want it."

"Really? What year is it?"

"1961."

Haruto whistled, and I grinned. He followed after me as I made my way to a shelf in the back. It was where I kept all the used comics I had available for sale.

I peered up at the top shelf, cursing past me for stashing the comic up there. I'd done it so no one else would spot it because I'd been in a hurry when I found it while shelving the others, but now I'd need to fetch the ladder.

"Wait a minute. I'll be right back, okay?"

Haruto nodded, and I walked across the room to get the ladder from its corner, positioning it under the right shelf and opening it up.

It wobbled a little as I climbed up, like always, and I reached up to grab the comic I'd placed on top of the shelf .

My fingers brushed the edge of the cover, and I reached further, making a triumphant sound as I finally grabbed it. Before I could do anything more, though, a snap echoed through the air, and I found myself falling.

I had just enough time to realize it was going to hurt—and I was going to thoroughly embarrass myself in front of Haruto—when I suddenly stopped short, swaying gently three feet above the ground. What the hell?

I glanced down, then blinked, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. Had I fallen and hit my head, and this was all a hallucination?

Because I couldn't possibly be wrapped up in fine, silky strands of spiderwebs, could I? This wasn't a comic book.

Sitting upright on the hammock-ish thing made out of snow-white strands of fine silk, I ran my fingers over the material, stunned at their sticky softness. What the absolute hell?

There was only one other person in the store with me, so I glanced up at Haruto, who sat right where he'd been, looking utterly calm and unruffled, though his eyes were a touch wider than usual.

"Uh, Haruto?"

I remembered him saying he found Spider-Man relatable, but I'd never thought this was what he'd meant. For some reason, I found the thought unbearably amusing, and I wondered distantly if I was in shock.

"Liam? Are you okay?"

I went to rub my palm over my face, then realized I was still holding the comic. Well, at least I'd managed to get it.

"What just happened?"

Haruto grimaced, then threw his head back with a groan. "This wasn't how I was planning to do this."

"Do what? "

He gave me a cautious look, then shrugged. "Tell you everything," he said, which clarified nothing.

Haruto pulled his phone out, checked the screen, then glanced at me. Since the hammock was only a few feet above the ground, we were for once the same height.

"Could you take your break a little early today?"

If it meant getting some answers before my brain burst from all the ridiculous, comic-worthy scenarios it was coming up with? Hell yes.

Nodding, I carefully got to my feet, then gave the hammock another look in case I'd imagined it, before heading toward the front door.

I changed the signs, then turned the lock, before heading back to the shelves since Haruto hadn't come out.

He was right where I'd left him, though now the ladder stood beside the hammock, all patched up and covered in a layer of spider silk.

"I feel all kinds of ridiculous asking this, but are you a real life Spider-Man ?" I made a face as soon as the words were out of my mouth, and it didn't help when Haruto snickered, his brown eyes twinkling merrily.

"Not quite. How about you sit down and I'll tell you everything?"

I eyed him for another moment before nodding and settling on the hammock. Now that I was over the surprise, excitement filled me.

As a comic book geek, a tiny part of me always hoped there was more to this universe than just humans. Aliens, mutants, super beings...there were so many options.

"Okay, so I want to preface this by saying that you are not in any danger from me. I won't ever hurt you. "

I shot him a deadpan look and rolled my eyes, gesturing at the hammock I was sitting on. "Dude. You just revealed what is probably a big secret to save me from what would've at worst been the bruise of a lifetime or a broken bone. Yeah, I'm not scared for my life."

Haruto smiled, then dipped his head in acceptance. "Fair enough. Okay, do you know anything about Japanese mythical beings?"

Not where I thought this conversation was headed, but since my only knowledge of mythical beings came from my beloved comics, I shook my head, and Haruto hummed.

"Okay, well, I'm the modern-day descendent of a being called the Jorogumo. They— we are a human-spider hybrid of sorts, and we feed on sexual energy to gain power and do things like taking on a human form. I... don't do that, hence this." He waved down at his wheelchair, and it took me a moment to realize what he meant.

Was he saying he didn't have legs hidden under that blanket? Or rather that he didn't have human legs?

Oh wow. My brain was struggling to make sense of it, and if it weren't for the very soft, very shiny hammock under me, I'd have thought Haruto needed some psychiatric help. But I couldn't lie to myself, and I didn't want to.

I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything.