Have I already made the decision, then? Do I already intend to let them stay?
The boy shrugged a shoulder, turning his palm toward the ceiling. “I don’t really know the details. Our parents either thought I was too young to understand or didn’t know how to tell me, so they didn’t really say much about any of it other than she was really sick. But Addy sat down with me one night and explained it. She said it was terminal. The only thing that had a chance to stop it was an experimental treatment, but there wasn’t really any guarantee.”
Tears welled in Danny’s eyes. He lifted his hand and swiped at them angrily, bowing his head. “Didn’t matter, because the first day she went in to start the treatment was the day of the Sundering.”
“Where are your parents?” Merrick asked gently.
Danny fiddled with a corner of the cracker sleeve, crinkling the plastic. It was clear when he answered that he was struggling to control his voice, that he was battling against raw emotion, that he was trying to rise above the pain. “They died. They were driving to meet Addy at the hospital, and just as they got there, everything just…happened. And, um…well, an ambulance hit their car.”
Merrick’s heart ached; that made Adalynn and Danny who’d been able to produce that feeling in him, who’d touched his soul with sorrow like he’d not felt in a long while. He sensed there was more to Danny’s story, but he dared not press the boy further; Merrick understood this sort of pain. He had been close to Danny’s age when he lost his own parents—before he’d even come into his magic. And in the years following, he’d lost his siblings, as well, both of whom had been older and stronger than he.
The sense of loss, loneliness, and displacement—like he’d never belonged anywhere—lingered with Merrick to this day.
“My parents died when I was very young,” Merrick said, “and it was also very sudden. I will not lie to you and say the pain goes away…it never does. But the weight of it lessens over time. The sting fades. And you will carry on.”
“I was lucky to have Addy. Without her…” Danny lifted his head and looked at Merrick. “I’m sorry about your parents.”
Merrick’s brow furrowed, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. No one—not in a thousand years—had ever offered him any consolation. Even if logic suggested it was because he’d always been so guarded, had always kept himself isolated, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth in his chest now. Merrick had lived for so long without any emotion apart from bitterness that he wasn’t entirely certain how to react.
“And I am sorry about yours,” he finally replied. “Perhaps I’ll have one of those crackers, after all.”
* * *
Adalynn woke with a jolt, her eyes snapping open as a deafening peal of thunder shook the room around her. She lay on her stomach, facing the window, through which dull gray light streamed around the edges of the closed curtain. Rain drummed against the windowpane and the roof above. The storm would make traveling on foot difficult.
That thought instilled her with sudden dread. They’d be moving on today. They’d be leaving behind a sturdy, safe, dry shelter, running water—hot, running water—warm, comfortable beds, and an abundance of supplies and fresh food. This place would have been perfect.
But it wasn’t theirs. It belonged to Merrick.
Her mind shifted to last night, producing startlingly crisp memories of Merrick barging into the bathroom while she was naked and completely exposed to his captivating, citrine eyes. Despite everything, she hadn’t been scared.
Well, perhaps she’d been a little frightened, but beneath that fear had been excitement, had been desire.
Adalynn knew that any sane woman would’ve demanded he leave, would’ve reached for a weapon when he advanced on her, would’ve fought. She was sure that, had she told him to leave, he would have. But she hadn’t. She’d stood still as his hungry eyes ran over her body, as he closed the distance between them and touched her. That simple brush of his fingers on her shoulder had sent a shock of electricity through her, sparking her body to life, had made her sex pulse, flooding her with delicious heat.
And she’d wanted more.
It hadn’t mattered that he was a stranger. All that mattered, in that moment, was that she had wanted. With every bit of herself, she’d wanted him.
She’d resisted. She wasn’t sure if it had been out of habit or because he’d be sending them away with the morning, but her will had held longer than she would’ve expected. He was so damn sexy, and so intense—even if he had a talent for being abrasive when he wanted to be—and what would the harm have been? What was a little mutual pleasure between consenting adults?
Even after she’d asked for privacy—as close as she’d been able to come to asking him to get out—she might’ve stopped him, might’ve given in to her urges, were it not for the candles.
At first, she’d thought she was dreaming. The entire situation had been surreal—a secluded, rundown mansion that was in perfect condition inside; hot, running water; her standing naked in front of a mysterious man she desired without any concern for her own safety. The candles suddenly flaring to life must’ve been her imagination completing the fantasy in which she’d found herself.
But the heat of the flames had suggested that it was all very real.
There had to be an explanation for it. Maybe she’d lit more than two candles and had forgotten? It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d spaced doing something, especially with her condition—memory loss was a common symptom, according to the doctors, and her experiences had supported that.
Maybe her interaction with Merrick had never happened, and she’d just had a particularly vivid dream after taking a cold bath, brushing her teeth, and getting back into bed.
But it had felt so real.
Another crack of thunder pulled her out of her thoughts.
It was time to go.
Her stomach cramped with hunger; she hoped Merrick would be kind enough to offer something more to eat before they headed out into the storm.
With a sigh, Adalynn pushed herself up and swung her legs around to get into a sitting position. “Danny, it’s time to wake up. We don’t want to overstay our welcome and anger our host.”
There was no movement, no response. Not even a groan of protest.
Turning her head, Adalynn reached out to shake her brother awake. “Dan—” Her eyes widened.
He was gone.
“Danny?” she called, scanning the room. He was nowhere—he wasn’t rummaging through the tall, dark armoire against the wall, wasn’t standing by the door bouncing impatiently, wasn’t standing in front of the window or sitting on the floor. But his bugout bag was sitting on the floor. A flare of frustration joined her alarm, but she quickly stamped them both down.
We’re okay. Danny’s okay. This is our first taste of comfort and security in a long time, and he just…just got a little complacent. He’s just a kid.
But he still needed to remember. As much as she hated being hard on him, she wasn’t going to be around forever, and he needed to be careful. He needed to stay alert regardless of how safe things seemed. Merrick was a stranger, and people hid their true nature all the time; why would he be any different? That didn’t mean he was crazy, or a killer…but it didn’t mean he wasn’t, either.
Oh, so now I take that into consideration, after I stood there and let him gawk at my naked body. Way to go, Adalynn.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Adalynn grabbed her boots and shoved her feet into them, tying them quickly. She stood, picked up their bugout bags—swinging one over each shoulder—and left the room to find her brother.
As she walked down the hall toward the spiral staircase, she glanced into the currently unoccupied bathroom, where her drying clothing dangled from the curtain rail over the tub; she’d have to collect her clothing after she collected Danny. But she lingered at the doorway, finding herself again fighting back the memories of what had transpired within.
Just a dream.
It wasn’t real—couldn’t have been real.
She descended the steps, and when she reached the bottom, her eyes flicked to the front door, catching a glimpse of the rain through the windows flanking the entrance. She stopped abruptly as she was turning away and swung her gaze back to the left window—a fully intact window.
Brows falling low and eyes narrowing, Adalynn slowly approached it.
“I broke it,” she whispered. That was how they’d entered—she’d broken the window, reached through, and unlocked the door.
Wasn’t it?
She lifted a hand and lightly tapped on the glass, producing a soft clinking sound with her nail.
I’m not going crazy.
She looked down. There wasn’t so much as a sliver of broken glass on the floor. Adalynn pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes until flecks of color danced behind her eyelids. When she pulled her hands away, she looked at the window again; it was still intact.
Not. Crazy.
Laughter carried into the foyer from down the hall, faint but undeniably Danny’s. Adalynn followed the sound, and the voices that came on its heels, to the kitchen. She slowed when she reached the doorway and leaned forward to peer around the doorframe. Danny and Merrick were seated at the kitchen table, sharing crackers and peanut butter.
“You’ve really never heard of Stranger Things? It’s like the best piece of entertainment ever created,” Danny said before shoving another peanut butter-laden cracker into his mouth.
“Several thousand years of human civilization may disagree with that assessment, young Daniel,” Merrick replied. He was leaning back in his chair casually, exuding effortless sensuality; Adalynn wouldn’t have thought him capable of it were it not for their brief encounter in the bathroom.
“Whatever, man. Just ’cause it’s, like, really old doesn’t mean it’s better. Stranger Things is pretty much set in old times, anyway.”
“Given what I know of modern entertainment,” Merrick replied, “I doubt I’ve missed anything.”
Was this really the same man from the day before? The one who’d seemed ready to shed blood over the very peanut butter they were eating now while discussing TV shows?
Danny’s eyes shifted past Merrick to meet Adalynn’s, and his smile widened. “Morning, Addy!”
Now that she’d been spotted, she had no choice but to enter the kitchen. She tightened her grip on the shoulder strap of Danny’s bag as she neared the table. “Morning.”
Merrick turned his head to look at her and arched one of his dark brows. The corner of his mouth rose along with it. A subtle light flared in his eyes, reminiscent of the light they’d contained last night in the bathroom.
Oh no, it wasn’t a dream at all. That was real.
“Good morning, Adalynn,” he said. “How did you sleep?”
His voice, deep and sultry, washed over her, making her nipples tingle and her heart beat just a little faster.
“Good. Very good, actually. Thank you,” she replied.
“Are you hungry?” Merrick’s eyes suggested he was—for her.
Instantaneous heat suffused her. How had things changed so drastically, so quickly?
“Merrick’s sharing his peanut butter,” Danny said. “I have a cracker waiting here for you.”
Her gaze shifted to her brother. “I am hungry, but… Danny, did you forget something this morning?”
He cocked his head, brow furrowed. “Huh?”
Adalynn swung his bugout bag off her shoulder and dangled it in front of him.
Danny ducked his head, cheeks coloring. “Ohhh. Well, I mean…it was with you, right? So it’s…okay?”
“Not okay. What if something happened to me?”
Danny’s shoulders sagged. “Sorry, Addy.”
Adalynn placed both packs on the floor beside the table before slipping her arm around her brother in a quick hug. “Just don’t forget next time.” She pulled back and straightened. “There’s hot water. You need to take a quick bath before we go. That is”—she turned her face toward Merrick—“if it’s okay with you, Merrick? I don’t want us to overstay our welcome.”
Merrick’s smile faltered, falling into a faint but troubled frown. “He may bathe, yes, and take some time to enjoy it if he is inclined. As for leaving…you do not yet have to go.”
“It’d be best if we leave soon. We have a long way to go before we reach the next town, and we’re losing daylight already.”
His tongue slipped out for a fleeting instant to slide over his lips. “I said you would have to leave with the sun. It could be argued that the sun is not currently visible, and therefore you are under no obligation to go.”
Adalynn studied Merrick for a few seconds before her lips slowly stretched into a smile. “Are you asking us to stay until the storm is over, Merrick?”
“I am simply pointing out a technicality by which you may convince me to allow your stay to be extended.”
His features softened briefly; it was enough for Adalynn to know that, however he’d behaved when they first arrived, however rough a start they’d had, Merrick was a good man at heart.
She grinned. “Merrick, would you be so kind as to allow us to stay until the storm passes?”
Merrick waved a hand dismissively. “I suppose I’d feel guilty if I made you leave in this weather. You may stay.”
“Yes!” Danny pumped his fist before he looked at Adalynn and wrinkled his nose. “Do I really need to take a bath?”
“Yes,” Adalynn said. “You stink.”
“I do not!” Raising his arm, he turned his head and sniffed his armpit. He jerked his head back immediately. “Okay, so I do.”
“Then go,” she said, “and don’t forget your bag this time.”
“Fiiiine.” He pushed his chair back, picked up a cracker covered with peanut butter, and held it out to her. “This one is for you.”
Adalynn stared down at the cracker. The peanut butter’s scent was mouth-watering; she could almost taste it on her tongue. Her heart flipped in her chest at her brother’s thoughtfulness. It was a small gesture, but those little things meant more than ever after the Sundering. Even while indulging himself, he’d set a bit aside for her.
“Thanks, Danny,” she said, taking the cracker carefully between her thumb and middle finger.
Danny beamed at her. “Welcome. Guess I’ll go take a bath.” He swiped the remnants of his half-eaten cracker off the table, shoved it in his mouth, and grabbed his bag. As he walked out of the kitchen, he said through his mouthful of food, “See you later, Merrick.”
Mindful of the cracker in her hand, Adalynn pulled out a chair and sat down across from Merrick. His eyes, intent but unreadable, were already upon her.
“Thank you,” she said, “for letting us stay longer. And for what you did with Danny.”
His lips curled upward; Adalynn couldn’t tell if he was smiling or smirking. Either way, the scar across his left eye granted a rakish air to the expression.
“And what was it I did?”
“Distracted him, made him laugh. Let him have one of his favorite foods.”
Adalynn took a bite of the cracker, and she barely stopped her eyes from rolling back in bliss. Her tongue darted out to lick peanut butter off her upper lip.
Had she just moaned?
Merrick’s eyes dipped to her tongue for the instant it was exposed. “He seems to amuse himself well enough. The boy never runs out of things to say.”
“Only because you’re someone new. He’s already talked my ears off about the same subjects more than once.” She slipped the rest of the cracker into her mouth.
“Perhaps.” Merrick slid the jar of peanut butter—which had a knife already plunged into it—from the center of the table to stand directly in front of Adalynn. “Help yourself. I fear it will be all gone the next time your brother gets into it.”
A pang of guilt struck her, and when she swallowed, the food went down thickly. Frowning, she glanced into the jar. How much had Danny
eaten? She should have woken when Danny did, should’ve stopped him, should’ve—
“He was into it when I came down,” Merrick said, as though reading her thoughts. “He had one cracker with barely any on it for himself, and then he set the one aside for you. After that, he put the lid on and was done.”
Adalynn’s brows rose as she returned her gaze to Merrick. “Really?”
He nodded.
Pride replaced most of her guilt but couldn’t overpower it completely—despite some of the things she’d said last night, she couldn’t quite let go of the circumstances that had brought them into his home. She smiled a bit sheepishly. “Well, um, thanks, I guess, for not throwing us out.”
Merrick chuckled; it was a deep, rich sound, warmer than she would’ve expected. “Do not thank me too soon. I may yet throw you out. A bored, idle child is a dangerous thing.”
“We wouldn’t mind helping out with whatever you need.”
“There’s little that requires tending, at least while the rain persists. It is enough, for now, that you simply respect my home. I ask that neither of you enter my study, which is the room at the top of the steps, or my bedroom, which is at the end of the north hallway—just down the hall from your room. Keep the noise down, don’t break anything, and clean up your messes. You may eat from my stores, but be responsible with your portions.”
Adalynn nodded. “We will. Thank you.”
Silence stretched between them as Adalynn ate. She used only a minimal amount of peanut butter on the crackers she took. Even if he’d offered it freely, she didn’t feel right taking too much, especially considering things like peanut butter had become a rarity in the modern world.
“I must insist you take more than that, Adalynn,” Merrick said, “lest you insult my hospitality.”
Adalynn paused as she was spreading peanut butter on a cracker to look up at him. Heat flooded her cheeks. “I…I don’t need very much.”
“Which is no reason to take too little. I grant you permission—indulge yourself.” As he spoke those last two words, fire rekindled in his gaze.
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