Page 24 of Midnight Whispers
I scoff, stifling the urge to roll my eyes.
“Are you going to wear a costume?”
“Why, yes. I am going to aHalloween partywearing a costume.” He shakes his head. “Sometimes I worry about you, Finnian.”
So do I.
“What are you wearing?” I repeat the question in my mind, did I just ask that?
“I’m so glad you asked!” He jumped off the bed and disappeared into his closet. If there’s one thing Asher loves in this world, it’s clothes. He has collected garments throughout history and cherishes everything he’s acquired. His closet is the size of a large bedroom. “What do you think of this?” He beams and holds up a pair of dark khakis, a leather gun holster, and a white button up shirt.
“Who are you supposed to be?”
“The leather wristband will be here tomorrow. I love two-day shipping,” he responds as if I’m supposed to understand the significance.
“Again, Asher, who are you supposed to be?”
“Finn, honestly. HowhaveI put up with you?” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m Rick O’Connell? Brenden Fraser’siconicrole inThe Mummy.It’s an American masterpiece.”
I shrug and shake my head.
“Seriously? Go watch the damn movie right now, you uncultured swine.” Asher storms off in his closet dramatically, waving his hand in dismissal.
“Anyways. Are you planning onmeetinganyone?”
“Backtracking, what are you going as?”
“A skeleton,” I shrug. “I’m painting my face.”
“And let me guess? Wearing all black. Predictable Finnian.”
“Okay, back to my question.”
“I’m notplanningon it, but you know me. Whatever happens… happens.” He winks at me, which means he is absolutely taking someone home. “And you? Are you finally making your move?”
“No.” I answer sharply.
“Why not?”
I shrug, refusing to give him an answer. Soon he will get sick of me saying I don’t deserve her.
Asher shrugs his own shoulders. “I think you should.”
“It would be different than any other lovers I have had in the past.”
“Because there’s been so many?” he chimes in sarcastically.
“If I pursued her, she would be mine for the rest of my life. I’d never want another because nobody would ever compare. It didn’t matter if she ever went through the change or not. I know in my soul; nobody would ever be comparable to Lillia.”
“If you changed her…” I cut him off, my elongated teeth exposed in a snarl. “Okay, so we willnotbe changing her.”
“The only way I would ever change her is if she wanted it, truly desired it, and knew every dark truth of this life we live.” My voice is strong with resolution.
I storm out of the room, down the hall, and rash through the double doors that lead into my room. Anger is coursing through me, unexpected and irrational, but I’m fuming, nonetheless. Asher knows to give me space when I’m this mad, so I pace the floor of my bedroom alone.
My temper wasn’t the most stable when I was human and, when I was changed, it was amplified. The images of Lillia lifeless flash through my mind. My arms wrapped around her, blood scattered around us and dripping from my chin. If I could sleep, if I was human,thiswould be the scene that haunted my dreams. I open the glass door leading to my balcony, hopeful that the autumn wind will relax me.
The only thing that calms the raging sea of anger within me is knowing I will be seeing Lillia soon.