by Sara Snow
After maybe an hour, I began making my way back through the forest, angry at myself for being so foolish.
I had hoped he would return so I could ask him all the questions I’d thought of after meeting him. There was no way he was a normal vampire, not with those eyes. There was nothing I loved more than solving a mystery. At least, that’s the excuse I told myself.
I was being ridiculous, nonetheless—and reckless, thinking he would return. I just wanted to thank him for saving me.
Even more, I wanted to know his name.
13
Elinor
I moaned and rolled to my side, the odd sensation of something cool on my skin pulling me from my sleep. I felt it touch my ankle, and I pulled my leg under my sheet. It vanished.
Sighing, I drifted off to sleep once more when I felt the sensation once more, this time across my cheek. I turned onto my back and waved my hand over my face. My eyes cracked open, and my breath hitched as I found blue eyes staring down at me.
“Come to me.”
I bolted upright, my breath catching in my throat as I frantically looked around my room. But there was nothing but shadows on my walls from the trees outside. I closed my eyes and exhaled through my mouth, my heart hammering inside my chest.
It was just a dream.
I swung my legs over the side of my bed and leaned forward as I covered my face.
He wasn’t here.
Both relief and disappointment had me sighing as I got up to pour myself some water. It had been two weeks since I was attacked by a vampire, only to be saved by another. Since then, I hadn’t been able to stop dreaming of him.
The blue-eyed vampire.
At times, I’d wondered if I had imagined him. Maybe I killed that second vampire myself. Climbing back into bed, I stayed there, unmoving but unable to go back to sleep. My father was gone on business and had yet to return, which meant my upcoming meeting with an Alpha-born who hadn’t been at the gathering was postponed.
He’d never been away from the pack this long before, but I was happy he was gone. We had yet to speak to each other about what had happened. Frankly, I wasn’t interested in hearing his side. He was wrong . . . and we both knew it.
Cyrus stopped by to tell me that his brother would be visiting in time to join us at the upcoming festival. Festival Luces was a yearly event, and it was my favorite, where we honored the start of the Spring season. I needed to think about that right now and not about how angry I was at my father . . . or how intrigued I was by a certain gorgeous vampire.
Cyrus reassured us that although his brother was a handful—most demons were—he would keep an eye on him so that he wouldn't cause trouble. The last thing anyone wanted was for one of Cyrus's relatives to threaten his relationship with our pack.
I wonder if he’ll be there.
I shook my head. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about that vampire?
But what if he is?
I groaned as I turned onto my stomach and began fluffing my pillow to make it more comfortable. I'd decide what to do when or if I saw him. But for now, I wouldn't worry about it. I hadn’t seen him since the night in the forest. Why would he turn up now?
As I fell asleep, I had to admit I was hoping I’d see him again, even if just for a few minutes.
Even if only to thank him for saving my life.
Elinor
Our small town was alive with music and life. Throughout the town, ribbons of every color hung from every building and post. Beside me, Skye tapped my shoulder and pointed to the sky.
I looked up, and my smile widened. Above us, floating balls of neon lights cast by witches filled the air. Since it was almost dark, the lights shone even more brightly.
The glowing orbs moved lower and began slowly drifting through the crowd, offering their stunning light and making the colored strings on every surface glow. A satyr walking past us had his hair painted blue, and in the light from the orbs, he seemed to be glowing.
I grabbed Skye’s hand and began pulling her through the crowd as I headed to where the music was playing.
Standing on a small stage, a band composed of a guitarist, flutist, and drummer played enthusiastically as a siren sang her song. Her hypnotizing voice called people from all around to see her. Her long blond hair swayed as she moved from side to side, and her piercing brown eyes held me captive.
The smell of food pulled my attention away from her. I glanced at a nearby stall, where a little elf boy was turning a roasted pig on a spit.
My stomach growled, even though I’d had dinner before leaving home.
“What do you think he’s going to be like?” Skye asked me.
I looked her way. “Who? Cyrus’s brother? Well, I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” I had been wondering the same thing ever since he told us his brother would be visiting. In all the years we’d known Cyrus, he’d never introduced us to his family. “Has Cyrus said anything to you about why, after all this time, he’s having a relative visit? I mean, I thought he hated all of them.”
“He mentioned that he’d run into his brother at his father’s ball. He hadn’t seen him in a long, long time. Normally, he tries to forget where he’s from, but I think this is the one family member Cyrus actually misses.”
“Well, if he’s someone Cyrus trusts enough to invite here, I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about.”
But I was worried. Both Incubi and their female counterparts, Succubi, were unpredictable, feeding on the sexual needs of both demons and supernaturals. If Cyrus’s brother turned out to be trouble, things could get dicey.
The last thing I wanted was a falling out between Cyrus and my father.
Which side would Cyrus take if it came down to it—his brother or us? I shook my head mentally as Skye and I continued our tour of the festival. Of course, he would choose us. We'd been his true family since he was a boy.
Gasps of wonder met my ear, and I turned around to see Cyrus making his way towards us. Only it wasn’t Cyrus who had drawn the townspeople’s attention—it was the man walking behind him.
Cyrus and the man who could only be his brother looked nothing alike. While Cyrus had dark hair, gray eyes, and a body covered in tattoos, his brother's blond hair was loose and fell to his mid-back. His blue eyes glistened under long lashes, and the smirk on his lips told everyone that he knew just how handsome he was. His features were soft, making him a beautiful man, yet he gave off a strong air of masculinity with his staggering height.
No doubt that was his power as an Incubus—to attract anyone from any species.
“Hey,” Cyrus greeted us as he came to a stop. “This is Theanos.” He pointed a finger behind him, and Theanos stepped forward, his eyes traveling up and down my body before turning his sights on Skye. I narrowed my eyes as the smirk on his lips faltered for a moment—he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Finally, his eyes returned to me.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet both of you," he told us. "You're even more stunning than I had imagined. Such supple skin . . . And I mean that in the most non-depraved way possible.”
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed when he looked once again at Skye as he said that. His interest in her was apparent, and I didn’t think it had gone unnoticed by Cyrus.
“Likewise, Theanos,” I answered. “Are you having a good time? Do you like it here so far, or is this not your first time visiting Earth? I know some of your kind has never left the Demon Realm.”
He nodded. “That’s right, this is my first time.” His eyes scanned the crowd around us. “I definitely like it so far.” A female centaur caught his attention and his lips curved in a wicked grin. “Back home, we don’t have this much variety of women to . . .” Cyrus cleared his throat, and Theanos looked his way. “Um, well, I’m happy to be here. Cyrus has been declining my requests to visit for the longest time.”
“Why do you have to make a request instead of just coming on your own?” Skye asked as we all stepped to the side to al
low two elves carrying a dead deer to walk by us.
“Cyrus found an unmapped portal when he was a child and mastered traveling through it on his own. That’s how he managed to leave the Underworld. Since then, he spelled it so only he can use it. I’m visiting without my mother’s knowledge, you see.” He pushed his hair back. “She’d lose it if she knew I was here. If I use any of the normal doorways between worlds, a record of it would be stored, and she’d find out.”
“I see. So you two are close then?” I probed.
Cyrus rolled his eyes.
Theanos laughed. “Not as much as I’d like. Apparently, I’m annoying to my brother, even though I’m older than him.” He threw his hand over Cyrus’s shoulder, whose face was twisted with frustration. "When we were kids, all the Incubi and Succubi our age loved him, even in spite of the fact that he never mingled with them. If anything, it made them all even more intrigued by him.” He glanced at Cyrus, whose jaws were clenched so tightly it looked as if his teeth might shatter. “He hated that I’d follow him around, trying to act like him. And then he left. I was thrilled to finally see him again at the Demon King’s ball.”
“Back then, I got tired of seeing your face everywhere I went. But I have missed you since,” Cyrus grumbled. Theano’s head fell back as he laughed, and I started to get the sense that he enjoyed pulling at Cyrus’s strings. Brothers . . .
At his laugh, all the women in the area looked his way. Incubi were dangerous indeed, and while Cyrus got the same kind of attention from time to time, he generally kept to himself. I’d seen the hateful looks Cyrus had received because of the interest women showed in him.
"You know what your problem is, Cyrus? You're too serious. You need to lighten up, smile a little, and stop sealing away so much of your power."
Cyrus frowned for a moment, and the crease that appeared between his brows looked out of place on his flawless skin.
I blinked rapidly as a memory of blue eyes and flawless skin that belonged to someone else flashed in my mind. I shook myself mentally to rid myself of the image.
Theanos leaned towards Skye and me. “Don’t let him fool you. This one has a more insatiable thirst than the rest of us Incubi—a byproduct of holding back all the time, I’m sure. Maybe it’s because he’s spent so much time around you two beautiful women. I mean, look at you.”
Skye chuckled as Cyrus started to turn red. “Is that so?” she coyly asked.
“Oh, yes,” Theanos replied, his voice suddenly becoming deeper. “So, I’m the only Incubus you ladies have met other than my brother, right? Mm, I assume Cyrus has never fed on . . .”
Cyrus gave his brother a push. “Don’t finish that statement,” he grunted through clenched teeth, and Theanos’s cheerful expression changed to surprise.
“Oh, don’t get upset. I was only saying . . .”
“Say less.” Cyrus turned to face him slowly, and his eyes began to change from gray to black. “Do not make me regret inviting you here. Stay out of trouble, Theanos. This is my home, and these women are my family.”
“I won’t bother your friends, Cyrus. Think better of me, will you?” Theanos looked genuinely wounded, and Cyrus's eyes changed back to gray. " I know these two women are off-limits,” he added quickly, “But there are plenty more here to choose from. I have no intention of harming any of them . . . but how can a quick bite hurt?”
His lips parted with a soft smile, and I got a glimpse of extended canines. Cyrus audibly sighed and turned to us.
“Oh, calm down Cyrus,” Skye said. “It’s his first time here. Let him have some fun.” Skye pointed a finger at Theanos. “You have to swear not to cause any trouble, though. Our town is a peaceful one.”
Theanos nodded. "Of course. As I said, Cyrus and I have a lot in common. That includes not feeding on humans or supernaturals without their consent."
My eyes drifted to someone who was approaching from down the road, a thick cloak pulled over his head. Although the man's face and body were hidden, the resemblance in height to my blue-eyed vampire had my stomach clenching.
A scent I was growing familiar with drifted to my nostrils, and Skye, Cyrus, and Theanos looked up at the same moment as the man walked by us. Around us, several people stopped to look as well, no doubt picking up on the vampire's scent.
Is it him?
That was all I could think of, while everyone else was probably growing anxious. Seeing a Skin out and about was rare—especially in our town.
Is it him? No, this vampire has a different scent, closer to that of a Bleeder.
“That was strange. I think the last time I saw a vampire here was more than four months ago,” Skye whispered when the cloaked vampire had vanished within the crowd.
She glanced my way. Although I could see her looking at me with concern, I was stuck staring in the direction the vampire had gone. If there was a Skin in town, then maybe he was here as well.
It was silly, I knew, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Why had he saved me? For a few days, I’d gone back to that spot in the forest, hoping he would return and give me an answer. But he never did, so I stopped going. I kept telling myself that I only wanted to thank him and discover why he spared my life, but even then, I recognized that wasn’t the whole truth. A part of me desperately wanted to see him again.
Why? I didn’t know.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Elinor and crew.”
I sighed. Sure enough, Zenko was making his way towards us, his usual mischievous grin on his face. His eyes fell on Theanos. I arched a brow as Theanos’s eyes lit up, quite literally, and began to glow blue.
Skye and I shared a look.
“Well, who might this fine supernatural specimen be?” Theanos asked.
I tried not to laugh at the bewildered look on Zenko’s face. It was the first time I’d seen his signature grin vanish, replaced with an expression of pure discomfort and confusion.
The tone Theanos had used was most definitely a sexual one, and Cyrus pinched the bridge of his nose. It was known by all that Incubi sometimes targeted those of the same sex, but witnessing it was really something to see.
Zenko suddenly turned and walked away, and Skye's hand flew to her mouth to cover her laughter.
Theanos looked deeply wounded, however. "What? What did I say?"
“Theanos, just don’t. People aren’t used to that here,” Cyrus quickly grumbled, but Theanos only shrugged. "Just don't feed on anyone tonight, okay? Please."
“I was only asking. He’s not my type, anyway." He began looking around us. "But I make no promises. Still, I should be leaving soon. I need to find where the real party is.”
I gasped and stepped back as wings appeared at his back, and a few people had to duck out of the way to avoid being hit by them.
“What the hell? You have wings too?” Skye exclaimed.
Theanos nodded proudly. Whereas Cyrus’s wings had feathers, Theanos’s wings had multi-colored scales, like the wings of a butterfly.
“My father is from the dragon race, so like Cyrus, I'm quite special."
“You’re a pain, that’s what you are.” Cyrus walked away. “Guys, I’ll catch you later. I need to babysit.”
Theanos wiggled his fingers at us and said goodbye. Before he took five steps, he was surrounded by women. The dragon race, much like vampires, was a very reclusive species. But unlike vampires that were hated, people couldn’t seem to get enough of dragons.
“Cyrus’s mother really got around, didn’t she?” Skye mumbled as we watched the women grope at Theanos’s wings, much to his delight.
I shook my head as I laughed. “She’s the sin Lust. What did you expect?”
“I wonder if he can transform the same way Cyrus can. That, by the way, was mind-blowing."
I pinned her with a stare. “Are you interested in him?”
“In Theanos? Or Cyrus? Have you completely lost your mind? I'm not interested in either of them." She shook her head as she began walking away, and I smiled
.
Yeah, right. Whatever you say, Skye.
14
Elinor
The festival was unusually silent. Everyone was looking up at the sky where, high above the festival, Theanos was spinning in a circle. Soon, the wind around him took the form of a small whirlwind and the crowd below gasped from the lights that suddenly began to appear from his wings. They were impressively stunning. It was hard to look away.
He landed on the ground with a thud, and the whirling lights above fell with him, falling among the crowd. I closed my eyes as a feeling of utter bliss overtook me. It felt like that moment you begin to wake from a dream, and your body still feels light. I rocked back on my heels as my lips curved with a smile.
Peace. This is what peace feels like.
It wore off after a moment, and as it did for everyone else, then everyone erupted in cheer. Theanos bowed theatrically as everyone surrounded him.
“You can’t be a demon with powers like that!” a man told him as he patted Theanos’ shoulder.
“I’m only half-demon,” Theanos retorted quickly. "I take pride in my dragon heritage too. I love both sides of my heritage, to be honest."
I sighed as I glanced at the wine inside my cup. Music began to play once more, and I looked up to find Theanos and Skye dancing. Behind them was Cyrus, dancing with an elf, her long white hair swirling around her as she spun in a circle.
A smile curved my lips. Festivals and gatherings of any sort made me feel good. There was just something about everyone being so happy and carefree. Their smiles and laughter filled me with hope for the world that I lived in, because sometimes it seemed so very dark.
I couldn’t imagine a world where unity like this didn’t exist. The truth was, outside of my town, humans and supernaturals didn’t normally come together like this.
“Elinor, come on! Dance with us!” I shook my head at Skye, and she groaned with annoyance. Making her way over to me, she took my cup from me and emptied the contents. “Is this human wine? This won’t get you drunk.”
