Page 90 of Third Offense

This is right.

This is safe.

This is home.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

AURIC

My stomach growled,the sound lulling me out of my slumber and having me peel one eye open in response.

Ugh.The sun wasn’t even up yet. But I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning.

And I’d stayed up…late… playing with Layla and Novak.

I’m immortal, I thought at my grumbling insides.Give me a break.

My stomach growled again, protesting my desire to sleep.

Layla moved against me, a soft sound escaping her, likely as a result of my hunger stirring her from sleep, too.

I clenched my jaw.

Fine.

I would grab a snack and come back to bed.

Then I’d snuggle Layla all day. Because fuck the routine.

Except Ketos is going to meet me in the kitchen,I remembered, frowning.If I go now, will it ruin our plans?

Or maybe going now would finally break the spell.

I ignored my thoughts for a moment and pulled Layla close, needing to love her. I buried my nose in her hair and tried to banish every bad feeling by inhaling her sweet cherry blossom scent.

It worked to an extent.

Until my stomach spoke up once more.

She squirmed, her lips parting on a yawn that told me she was close to waking.

Sighing, I released her, and rolled off the bed.

Leaving her was like breaking a spell, causing all my memories of yesterday to come crashing down on my shoulders again.

Arguing with Novak.

Wandering around the estate.

Discussions with Ketos.

Fighting with Novak.

Leaving Layla.

Wandering aroundagain.

Running into Iston and Netiri at every fucking turn.