Chapter 15 – Aline
Chapter Fifteen
Aline
I t’s weird as hell having not only Hex and Silence around, but also adding Malice into the mix.
Dread promised to send reinforcements, and he ends up keeping his word. His mother, Octavia, and his sister, Raisa, join the chaos. Although, they mostly take over Venom and the bars.
After a few days, Raisa brings her mates. They’re perfect for additional bodies to run security.
Hex and Silence don’t leave. They sleep on Atlas’s couch for five nights before they realize he has a guest room.
It’s on the second floor where we sleep.
I’m conflicted. My magic likes having them close.
Whatever bond we have as mates almost seems to demand it now that we’re physically in each other’s orbit.
I may have promised them the opportunity to prove themselves, but I don’t know if that’s even possible. There’s too much hurt there to overcome. My pheromones feel differently, but that’s just too damn bad.
The quickening will likely arrive within a week, but Atlas has done his best to keep me completely satiated and cuddled to my heart’s content. It does bring a completely different set of worries and challenges, though.
Malice is still playing Kash. He stopped by earlier for a quick visit, but I don’t even know where he’s staying. I’d assume he’s living at Kash’s house. I did ask, but he said he wanted to keep the information sparse, so it couldn’t come back on me.
Hex and Silence are training with Atlas and Raisa’s mates. They’ve been helpful, but honestly, I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It’s late and I’m beat, but I need to make arrangements for someone to cover The Den while I’m gone. No new clients will be accepted during the time I’m off, but someone will still need to coordinate appointment changes and rebook guests.
Laz nods when he spots me.
I give him an awkward wave and aim for the changing room Vivie is fond of.
Freaking Arsyn. That incubus loves to cause chaos. Back before Atlas or Vivie were around, I did a fill-in show with Laz and one of the bartenders that’s no longer here. I was down for it at the time, but it led to some pretty awkward interactions.
Laz was on the same page, but Rast followed me around for weeks, asking me out. It did help me realize how awful an idea it is to hook up with co-workers, so there’s that.
Vivie is in a pink-and-white lace contraption that makes my skin itch just looking at it. I prefer softer fabrics. She’s leaning over the station table, applying her lipstick, but her eyes are on Saber.
That relationship is weird to me.
He follows her around, but he never looks happy about it. Even now, he’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a sour look on his face, but once she leaves, I guarantee he’ll follow.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, coming to stand on Vivie’s other side. There’s a strange tension in the air, but I ignore it, getting right to the point and explaining why I’m here.
“You want me to take over managing the customers for The Den while you’re out?” Her nose scrunches. “That sounds like a lot of work. Isn’t there anyone else you can ask?”
I nod.
I figured she’d say that, but she’s been here for so long, I felt like I needed to offer, so she didn’t think I was passing her over for management opportunities.
“I’ll offer it to Charity,” I say, giving a small wave. “Have a good show.”
Saber mutters something under his breath, but their relationship, or lack thereof, isn’t my business. Instead, I bolt for the bar where Charity is working tonight.
It’s clear Charity is more than capable of running The Den while I’m out. She’s a mom; I’m pretty sure all mothers are excellent at multitasking.
We’re just finishing going over the basics of the computer system when Charity bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’ve missed having tea with you lately.” She gives me an excited smile that’s completely at odds with her words. “But Veryn doesn’t mind so much. He really likes his new buddy.”
I’ve got no idea what she’s talking about.
“I never realized you and Kash are so close,” she says, picking at her nail. “I feel bad, because I hated that guy when he used to come in for drinks.” She shrugs. “But you know how Veryn is. He snuck over the other morning, expecting you to be there, and instead, he found your houseguest.”
It’s a struggle to keep my face placid. Malice is living in my house while pretending to be Kash?
I can’t decide if that’s really cute or extremely weird.
No, my hormones definitely think it’s sweet.
Like, maybe he snuggles up to my pillow at night or digs through my panty drawer when he’s lonely. .. Okay, I’m officially delusional.
“He’s actually a really nice guy. A little weird.
It’s like he doesn’t realize what is or isn’t normal to say, but I had him pegged all wrong.
” She bumps her shoulder against mine again.
“You’re all he talks about. I know things have been complicated since Hex and Silence got to town, but is there something going on between you and Kash? ”
I grimace.
I have no idea how to answer that question.
Kash is technically dead, I think.
Charity is beautiful and very single. If I say no, then she might think it’s okay to make a move, but if I say yes, that could open up an entirely different can of worms.
I give her a tight smile. “Nope, he just needed somewhere to stay.”
Malice and I have kissed, but not much else. Everyone is always around, and he’s still playing Kash. He can’t be out of Kash’s body for long, and he’s said several times that it doesn’t feel right to touch me with Kash’s skin. He has stopped by daily to bring me little trinkets, though.
Atlas made the comment that he thinks Malice is courting me in the old demonic tradition, which is weird and also sweet as hell.
We’ve spent a lot of time together in my dreams, but it’s always so hazy that it’s impossible for me to recall all the details.
I do know that I trust Atlas and Malice on some soul-deep level that’s difficult to explain.
“Oh no, I’m not into him like that,” Charity says, laughing. “I just wanted to mention it, because at first, I thought he was a total dick. And I didn’t know if maybe he came off that way with you too.”
My office door flings open and Vivie stomps inside. Her face is red, and she’s obviously been crying.
I hit my feet immediately and Charity follows.
“Are you okay—” I start.
Vivie cuts me off. “I need Laz removed permanently .”
“What?” Charity gasps.
“What happened?” I ask, stepping around Charity and my desk. I get close, and Vivie flings herself at me. I pat her back, trying to figure out what the hell went down.
She runs a hand over her stomach. She’s in a cream-colored silk dress. I frown, studying her abdomen.
“Laz laid his eggs inside me!” She pushes out of my arms and starts pacing.
My mind races.
Shock comes first as I stagger back a step. They’re like some weird combination of friends with benefits, but Laz has always treated her like they’re dating. He’s a great guy, and he’s gentle and loving.
My head shakes.
No man would put up with her ridiculous demands if they weren’t in love. She’s ignored it for so long, I guess it came to a head.
My heart sinks.
She doesn’t want kids. She’s said it over and over throughout the years. I don’t know what to say, because, obviously, procreating is something that requires consent. Also, it makes me feel like a failure all over again to be reminded of children and babies.
“Wait, implantation requires consent. Are you saying you didn’t?” I ask, trying to figure out if that’s even physically possible.
“Of course, I didn’t,” she snaps.
Saber knocks, sticking his head in. “I was the monitor on duty. I’m pretty sure I should be present for this.”
I nod, waving a hand to ask him in.
“Um, I’m going to go,” Charity says, awkwardly sliding by. She pats Vivie on the arm and departs as Saber comes over.
He blows out a heavy breath, leaning against the wall.
“Why are you here?” Vivie glares in his direction. “You should be kicking Laz out and banning him permanently.”
“Experiencing some buyer’s remorse?” he asks, smirking.
“Oh, fuck you,” she hisses.
“Sweetheart, I just watched you get fucked six ways to Sunday.” He laughs, shaking his head.
“Saber,” I scold, finally getting myself together. “This is serious.”
“I watched the entire exchange. I’m not about to let you destroy that poor guy’s life because you changed your mind after the fact,” he says, glaring right back at her.
“You’re saying there was verbal consent?” I ask, trying to make sense of things.
“I’d go so far as to call it enthusiastic consent,” Saber says, grinning viciously.
Vivie stares at the ceiling, shaking her head.
“Is this true?” I ask.
“Yes, but?—”
“That’s not how being an adult goes,” Saber growls, pushing himself off the wall. “You made a choice, then you live with the consequences.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but won’t her body simply pass the eggs following her next quickening?” I ask, glancing between the two. “The only way implantation occurs is if the mother’s body accepts the eggs, right?”
“That’s mostly true. Unless she’s just incubating them, but even then, that would require her body’s consent.
They’ll pass as long as they aren’t fertilized either way,” Saber says, but his eyes are still on Vivie.
“You need to admit that Laz did nothing wrong and then go talk to the guy. He’s in fucking shambles. ”
My jaw falls. There’s always been a tension between Laz and Saber. I thought they disliked each other, but I’m beginning to see there’s a different cause.
“He’s going to hate me,” Vivie whimpers, wiping at her leaking eyes. “I have no idea what I was thinking. I’m not a maternal person. I can’t take care of myself half the time.”
“You should speak to Laz.” I step to her side, pulling her into my chest. “It’s ultimately your decision. You’ve got some time to decide, don’t you?”