• 𝓝𝓸𝓪𝓱 •

I didn't mind the fact that Luca was interested in Mae. I didn't even mind what he said to her, nor her reaction. In fact, it was a fantasy of mine to share a woman with my best friend.

What I did mind was the fact that I wasn't there to experience her reaction.

Luca eyed me. "What's the face for?"

I hummed and looked up at the sky as we walked to the market. "I don't know why I didn't expect you to fully jump in after I fed from her. And why it bothers me that I wasn't there."

"I didn't fully jump in." He smirked. "She's not ready for that yet. But I'll make it a point to do it when we're together. I guarantee it'll make her more flustered if you're there though."

I imagined that her eyes would widen and she would shoot a horrified look at me, her face reddening. And I'd just smile at her. I wouldn't help her. I wouldn't stop him. I wanted to be there so I could see her reaction to him.

I was not as good as Luca at talking dirty. But I did know that a "good girl" went a long way with her.

I first learned about that after we'd already come to South District. We were joking around and I said that she was such a good girl. She immediately went silent and pink tinged her cheeks. I tried it again a few weeks later, and got the same response.

She really was so easy to read.

"That's the point," I responded. "And when Kite gets it together, imagine her reaction then."

"I swear they'd just hate fuck all day." He laughed.

I snorted. Kite needed to be put in his place, and maybe she was the best person for it. When I first turned, Kite was...well, the Kite that Mae knew. A dick. Someone who had to put up a front to keep everyone in line. But that wasn't him, and he forgets that even though she's human, she's also someone he wants.

He'd figure it out eventually.

Maybe.

We went through a few shops, looking for clothes and personal items for Mae. We were going to do that the day she shoved a fork in Zero's eye, but honestly at this point it would be safer for her to keep her in the room. It wouldn't be forever, and she had the choice whether she stayed in there or not.

On our way back, I glanced at Luca. "Do you think Seraph is looking after her?"

Luca's face screwed up. "He's as fucked up as Zero, if not worse. I hope not."

Seraph had been known to go off the deep end...a lot. If it was pre-vampire takeover, he would have been considered a serial killer. He lost his cool and killed, completely flaying open his victims and draining their blood - and he didn't always drink it. Sometimes he bathed in it.

He hadn't killed for almost six months.

I think the only reason he wasn't stopped was the fact that he only went off the deep end with people who "deserved" it. His own judicial system, Titus had once said.

He wouldn't kill Mae. But if she pissed him off, he'd break that six month streak on someone else, and it wouldn't be Zero either.

Monsters stayed together, even if one of those monsters killed other monsters.

I understood why Luca wouldn't want him close. But in all honesty, maybe he would be a good ally for her, as long as Seraph wasn't fully committed to Zero. That could take a turn for the worse.

As we neared the castle, I looked around at the humans. Some of them were familiar, others I knew from before I turned. Every single one of them refused to look me in the eye.

I remembered that feeling. Feeling helpless against these creatures who were so much stronger than me, unable to save Mae when she needed it the most. Afraid to look into their eyes in fear that they'd suddenly become hungry and I'd have to be forced to sit and allow them to feed from me.

My reaction to them terrified me too. Because as much as I hated vampires, I hated how I sometimes craved their bite. To feel. To allow myself to close my eyes and imagine myself elsewhere, to a place that would truly bring me pleasure.

I didn't crave being bitten anymore. Not after my change. Nor was I afraid of other vampires.

Well, not all of them.

We entered the castle and made our way to Mae's room.

Luca pulled out a key, but I grabbed his wrist and shook my head. She wouldn't appreciate us barging in there.

I knocked, and a few moments later, she opened the door.

She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt that her small frame practically swam in. The hem reached down to mid-thigh, so I couldn't even tell if she was wearing shorts. Though, I doubted she would open the door if she wasn't.

"Hey, Princess." Luca grinned.

Her eyes widened a fraction before she schooled her features.

'She likes that,' I thought to him.

His grin turned sinister as he held up the bags in his hands. "We got you some things. Let us in?"

She stood there for a moment, looking between the two of us from beneath her lashes, before she moved to the side to let us in.

I walked to her bed and set the two bags down, eyeing the book she was reading. It was different from the one earlier. This one had two men and one woman on the cover, versus the four men and one woman.

"Studying," Luca asked, grabbing the book and holding it up.

I turned and looked at her from over my shoulder.

She had her arms crossed over her chest. "What would I need to study for?"

I didn't look at Luca. I kept my eyes focused on her.

"No, you're right." I heard him chuckle. "You don't need to study."

Her eyebrows raised, and her hazel eyes moved to me. They looked more green than brown at that moment, and every time her eyes looked like that I wanted nothing more than to kiss her. I didn't know what it was about a simple change in eye color.

I didn't say anything, even though it seemed she wanted me to translate.

"You're so tense, Princess." The pet name made her eyes fly back to Luca. "What are you thinking about? The last passage?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"His best friend's cock felt so good inside of me," Luca read. "Amplified only by the fact that Kai was watching. I could feel his eyes searing into me as his friend fucked me."

Her lips pursed.

And I knew that was exactly what she was thinking about.

Luca hummed low and immediately Mae's cheeks reddened. He handed me the book and I looked down, scanning the next part.

"Noah," Mae whispered.

I glanced up at her.

She took in a slow, deep breath, and blew it out. She glanced at the book, then at me, then at Luca, and then back at the book.

So easy to read.

I smirked, then looked back down. "Tay turned me and opened my legs so that I was on full display for Kai. He moved his hips, stroking himself inside of my pussy while Kai watched. And I saw the moment Kai snapped. His eyes hardened as he stood from the chair and walked over to us. At first, he seemed angry. But he lowered himself to the floor and leaned in, licking my clit as his best friend fucked me harder."

Her entire face was red when I looked back up.

"Oh, babe," Luca cooed. "Your reactions give it all away."

His hand reached out and he touched her arm. His fingers wrapped around her forearm and he pulled her towards him, wrapping his free hand around her back to pull her closer. He leaned down to place his lips next to her ear as one knee pressed between her legs.

She wasn't breathing. Her eyes were wide, but she wasn't scared.

He whispered something in her ear and a shiver ran down her back. He turned his head and glanced at me from the corner of his eye as he continued to speak, and her eyes found me.

He pulled away from her and ran his tongue over his bottom lip before walking to the door. "Coming?"

He wasn't kidding when he said he would lay it on thick. She looked mesmerized, horrified, and turned on all at once.

When I passed her to leave, I leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. "We'll move at your pace. He won't do anything until you give him the okay. Same with me."

Her eyes met mine, her face still completely red as she nodded.

I knew she wanted to talk first, and I'd give her that. Hell, I'd give her forever if she needed it. And so would Luca, because he valued our friendship.

I followed Luca out into the hallway and watched as he closed the door.

I waited until we were halfway down the hall before I asked, "What did you say?"

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