34. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
Knife
Being inside a girl-brain was…interesting.
Knife’s own memories were fuzzy, often warped by and buried the memories of his various hosts—hence the whole thing where he had no idea what his real name was.
He wasn’t even sure when that personal knowledge slipped away.
He could barely remember his life before being a knife.
He knew he was a demon…of some sort. He definitely had a body before all of this.
Then something happened, but he couldn’t remember what, and he was cursed to live as a knife who needed a host, for the rest of his life.
In a lot of ways, it was worse than being dead.
There was no end in sight. It had already been a century of this cursed form of existence, at least. And most of his previous hosts had been nothing like Cody.
He’d been inside thieves, murderers, and…
worse. He didn’t like thinking about the really bad stuff.
He’d prefer for those memories to fade away, the same way his name had, but they lingered.
How soon do you think he’ll make love to me? Nyrah asked. She was lying in bed, Yana nestled beside her and fast asleep, even though it was early afternoon. He had a hunch Yana didn’t get much sleep the night before.
Knife sighed. Honestly? This might take some time.
He still felt loyal to Cody, even if he wasn’t his host anymore, but being inside of Nyrah’s mind had unlocked new information he hadn’t been aware of.
He actually felt bad for the girl now. She was hopelessly in love with Cody, which was only amplified by the Heartseer-Golden-Heart-connection they shared.
However, he could feel it was more than that.
That may have been the catalyst for her feelings, but she was definitely in love with the man she learned Cody was, not just the idea of him being her one true mate.
But she was being forced to watch Cody love Morgan, and then she had Temica toying with her, warping her feelings until everything bubbled up into a girl-fight.
Which she lost. Technically. Knife could tell Nyrah was the one who should have won.
She had more training, more strength, and more drive.
But it was the moment she touched Morgan and realized she had a Golden Heart that made her pause.
That had given Morgan the opening she needed. Nothing was going right for Nyrah.
But you said Cody cared for me, Nyrah reminded him, dragging him back to the present conversation.
It doesn’t mean he loves you, Knife reminded her. Just that I still think it’s possible, despite the whole Morgan thing.
The whole ‘Morgan thing’, Nyrah grumbled. Why does she have to have a Golden Heart, too?
I thought that was a good thing? She can be your mate, too?
He could catch glimpses of Nyrah filtering through her memories, her lessons and knowledge of everything she knew about being a Heartseer. She’d had a teacher, at the Rose Temple. The priestess was knowledgeable about Heartseers, but was not one herself.
She could be my mate, yes, but I don’t want…that, Nyrah said. I only want Cody.
And Yana, Knife teased.
I only love Yana as my platonic best friend!
Sure, sure. Knife could definitely tell there was more there.
Maybe not romantic love, but it was more than just two best friends.
Knife felt a pang of sadness, realizing…
well, he loved Cody. In a manly way. Definitely not a romantic way, but maybe more like…
brothers? Yeah, that felt right. He loved Cody like a brother.
Family. Maybe that was the intense emotions he was feeling from Nyrah, every time she thought about how much she loved Yana.
Which was quite a lot, actually. Almost on par with the amount of time she thought about how much she loved Cody.
Cody Hampshire is my one true love, Nyrah insisted. How do I get him to love me back?
To be clear, our strategy is forming a harem, yes? Knife asked.
Yes. That is very common in nekofae culture. I’ve already told him this.
But it’s not common here, Knife said, sorting through the Earth knowledge he had gleaned from Cody over the years. Unless, you’re like…in a cult or something. But even a consensual poly relationship is considered odd around here. So, Cody dating—
Marrying, Nyrah cut in.
Knife sighed. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Cody marrying three women is not even legal in this country. I’ll have to ask for clarification about that. But even him dating three women is also going to raise eyebrows, especially in a tiny town like Cornerstone.
I don’t care.
But Cody does, Knife reminded her. And it’s not only Cody we need to convince, it’s also Morgan. Who you attacked, less than twenty-four hours ago.
Nyrah was silent, but he could sense her tangle of thoughts, of anger and frustration.
Love and lust. Desperation and eagerness to get things going in the direction she wanted, to make it all the way to her happily ever after.
And babies. She kept thinking about babies.
Way too many babies. Being impregnated and having Cody’s babies, to be exact.
The girl definitely had a breeding kink.
What do I need to do to win Cody’s heart? Nyrah asked.
Be patient. Be kind to Morgan. Act like a normal person.
I do act like a normal person. He sensed not only anger from her, but some sadness and frustration mixed in.
Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh. But if I think you’re going to say something off kilter, and I tell you not to, you shut the fuck up. Got it?
Okay. There was some reluctance, but he’d let it slide.
Now, we need to have a little chat about your Inventory.
What’s wrong with it? she asked.
This is all Cody shit, isn’t it?
Silence.
Look, if he finds out that you put his fucking used dental floss in your Inventory, he’s not going to be cool with that, Knife explained. Is your entire Inventory Cody stuff?
He had been browsing the items she had stored in her Inventory, and it was all sorts of crazy.
It looked like every single item was something that had previously belonged to or had been used by Cody.
He knew, because she had used Inventory labels to meticulously record what everything was, and the date and time she added it.
Every single label started with ‘Cody’s’ and was followed by things like ‘used tissue’, ‘blue sock’, ‘strand of hair’, and other equally creepy items.
It’s my Cody Shrine, she said defensively. I don’t want to get rid of it. I’m keeping it forever. I have unlimited Inventory in this world. As my relationship with Cody progresses, I’ll be able to ass even more valuable items.
And are you going to tell him about it? Knife asked.
Nyrah didn’t answer. At least, not in words. But he could tell she was hesitant to share her ‘Cody Shrine’ with the man she was building a shrine to. At least that meant there was a part of her that knew it was weird.
That’s not a good sign, is it? Knife prodded. You don’t want him to know about it.
Fine. Next time we talk, I’ll tell him about it.
Knife sighed. That is not what I was suggesting. Like, at all.
I don’t want to lie to him.
Then get rid of it.
That is…lying by omission, isn’t it? Nyrah asked. I want to be honest with Cody. If I tell him about my shrine, and it makes him uncomfortable, then I will get rid of it. And if he says it is fine, I will continue to build it in his honor.
Well, don’t be surprised if it weirds him out. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Can I ask you something? Nyrah said, clearly wanting to divert the subject away from her shrine.
Sure. Shoot.
Does Cody like the way I look when I’m a nekofae, or does he prefer the way I look when I wear my gemstone and appear to be human?
Knife did not hesitate, because he was very certain of his answer: He likes the way you look when you’re in your true form. He’s into girls with tails and cat ears and stuff. So was his grandfather, apparently, so it runs in the family.
What do you mean? Nyrah asked, so Knife explained Grandpa Sam’s collection of harem smut novels.
That is…interesting, Nyrah said and Knife could feel her joyous energy. Why didn’t you tell me he reads books about harems and beastkin girls? That could be very helpful to our cause.
Yeah, well, must have slipped my mind during all the stabbing and the transferring onto a new soul and getting acquainted with your brain and all that. But yeah, it might be helpful.
Nyrah fell silent. She started thinking about babies again.
And…well, she clearly hadn’t had sex before, but Knife didn’t want to pry too much into that.
It felt intrusive, even if he was already attached to her soul and had full access to her brain, her memories, and every fleeting thought.
It was possible for him to put walls up, and she could eventually learn to do the same.
Like the way Cody would always block him when he had sex.
So, do you know what Cody is up to now? Knife asked. Is he going to come and talk to me? Because he said he was going to come back and talk with me.
I think he’s with Morgan. In his room.
Right. Right, Knife said, trying not to miss the guy he had been attached to for a decade. And you’re under room arrest. So…I guess we just wait until he comes to us, okay? Can you handle that? No sneaking out. No weird shit. Okay?
Okay. I can…handle that.
Good.