Page 12 of Truth
She rolled her eyes, but I knew she wasn’t really mad. The whole situation was hilarious, she couldn’t deny that. She licked her lips, trying to buy time to explain it and I swear every one of us went silent as we watched, not even a breath could be heard. “Ellis was just joking with you.”
He looked puzzled for a moment before he seemed to understand, “A jest then? I don’t get it.”
“Well, then, why don’t we have Ellis explain.”
She turned to me, her arms crossed, and a look of victory plastered on her beautiful face. Damn it, she got me this time. I leaned forward, grabbing the belt loop of her jeans to pull her toward me before leaning down to kiss her lips. The kiss was chaste, and when I pulled away slightly from her lips, I whispered only loud enough for her to hear, “I’m so burning your pink floral monstrosities when we get back to the city. I’m heading straight to your apartment with a torch.”
She smiled against my lips, “Worth it. I’m not attached to them anyway.”
I pulled back and looked to Lenin, “I was asking in joke about you know . . .” I made my eyes large as I pointed downward.
“Feet? You were jesting about my feet? They are the same size laying down too.”
There was a snort from someone, and I didn’t bother to see who. “No. Not your feet.”
“What do you mean?” He raised a brow.
Fuck. “I was talking about your . . .” Like a fucking wimp that I am, I let my voice fade as I said, “Penis.”
“What?” Liberty smiled broadly, “I don’t think anyone heard you.”
“You heard me.” I glared.
“I did not.” Lenin confirmed.
“Your penis. I was talking about penis size.” I gritted out.
Lenin blinked a few times, “Oh. Because talk of phallus is funny from where you originate?”
“No. I mean, yes.” I pause, “It depends.”
“Oh.” A silence settled over everyone and we began to walk again. Just when I thought the whole conversation was in the past and well forgotten, Lenin’s voice broke the silence, “My phallus is quite adequate from my understanding. It has not been the subject of complaint.”
After the whole size joke, I decided to keep my mouth shut, only saying something if directly asked by Liberty, or to make fun of Sterling, because he is my favorite and the original target of my humor. The trek through the forest and brushes seemed to pass quicker this round. Maybe it was because of the lack of anticipation on what we would find, or maybe it was the slight feeling of additional protection that having Lenin around made us feel. Still, when we reached the plane, it was all a relief.
“Our signal is strong here.” Sterling announced as he took out his phone.
“You bring your devices to the forest. That is unwise.” Lenin obscured.
Sterling hardly spared a glance in his direction, “It’s not like it was active way out here anyway.”
“We have towers.” Lenin pointed out and Sterling’s eyes grew wide. “they could have tracked you.”
“I’m sorry, what? I had my phone turned off this entire time. For nothing?”
“It appears so, but it was for the best. If our female is in danger, it was a wise precaution.”
A set of stairs unraveled from the side of the plane and hit the ground. The pilot nodded as he saw us approach. Sterling remained fixated on the one fact. “I could have used my phone the whole time.”
“Small details that keep her safe.” Lenin mumbled.
We followed Sterling up the plane steps and into the cabin before finding a seat and plopping down. I wasn’t graceful or considerate in my plopping, either. My bones were tired, my clothes wet, my whole being sore from hiking and using muscles I hadn’t used in a few decades. Whoever claimed vampires healed quickly was lying. There was a chance I may never heal again.
“So, we head home to the manor?” Oak asked, sitting next to Liberty.
“For now, I suppose.” She sighed. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“My wards are strong, Little Kitten.”