been clawing my sheets to shreds in horror as I relive that moment. Sometimes, I even claw my own thighs, scraping till it bleeds, because the physical pain was nothing compared to losing her. I never knew… All these centuries, and I never knew.
When Katrina’s eyes meet mine after she shuts the drawer in her dresser, her look hits me like a truck slamming into a brick wall. The intensity of these feelings I have for her is so raw and potent that it’s all consuming.
My feet slide easily across her carpet, and as my hands slide into place over her hips, I can’t help but think that somehow, God got it all wrong. If demons really were evil, how could the universe gift us something so precious?
I let my thumb circle Katrina’s hipbone, and my eyes flicker back and forth between hers as words get stuck in my throat and I experience one of those awkward moments, just like in the movies. You know the type. Some geeky guy attempts to impress a girl but ends up with a face full of carpet (and not the good kind). I’ve never been an awkward guy. Things have always come easily, too easily.
But almost losing her has made me feel as uncertain as all the teenage boys wandering around her school do, the ones who come into my office and secretly ask for advice on how to talk to girls. I feel as tongue-tied and ham-stringed as they do.
I’m just so…grateful she’s back. I don’t know that I’ve ever truly felt grateful before. But I know I’ll do anything to keep her here and keep her happy.
Down the hall, I hear Kastros helping Adam unpack. Their unpacking involves a lot of wrestling, and I’m briefly tempted to duplicate a naughtier version of their unpacking style with Katrina. I wonder how she’d react if I tossed her on the bed?
But her eyes float toward the door at the sound, and I see a hint of worry cross her face.
“What is it, Trina?” I ask quickly, stepping closer so that my legs brush hers, the nickname just naturally spilling off my lips, though I’d always thought of her name formally before. But now that she’s mine, now that she’s claimed us back, it feels right to give her a nickname, a name just between us. I ignore the thrill that runs up my spine and the sensation of being so close to her, and instead, focus in on her worry. I let my hand drift up to smooth out the tiniest wrinkle that’s appeared on her forehead.
“I want to be with you…but we need to find the flock that’s hunting you guys. I need to feel like we’re safe. Not just for us, but for Adam too.”
I swallow the lump in my throat that forms at the thought of something happening to that sweet little kid. I nod and reach for Trina’s hand. “Zolroth was working on that last night. Let’s go see what he found.”
We go out into the hall and walk past the menagerie of animals that Akor bought in his desperation to win our girl back. Jason is currently conducting them, waving his arms in the air and leading them all through the chorus of yowls and barks. I roll my eyes because this has become a regular, obnoxious morning performance. But behind me, Katrina giggles, and suddenly, it’s not so bad. I toss a grin at Jason as I lead my lady love into the kitchen.
I get her seated at the counter and pour her a cup of coffee. Then I sit down next to her, placing my hand on her knee, just below the hem of her skirt so that I can feel her soft skin.
“Zol—” I started to yell, but Zolroth appears before I can even finish his name. He’s cleaned up, shaved the stubble from his chin, and is looking every bit as sleek as he normally does. Having Katrina back has clearly revived him as well as me.
He slides onto a bar stool on the other side of Katrina. “What’s up?” he asks as he lifts her mug and steals a sip of coffee.
“Katrina and I want to help you look some more for those angel bastards,” I say.
He nods and leaves for a moment. He returns with a laptop and then scoops Katrina into his lap casually, as if it’s no big deal. My heart gives a thud of longing. I’ve never done that,