Teague wasn’t sure what to think about anything, but he knew he wanted to talk to someone and that someone was waiting back in his room, in the bed Sahriel used to sleep in, when he could be bothered sleeping at the Inn at all. Usually he just disappeared, apparently to be with Connor James and that just sort of broke his brain. Sahriel didn’t seem the type to fall for someone like James, and James didn’t seem the type to fall for anyone at all, but Sahriel was persistent so it wasn’t that strange, really.

(more…)

There was something wrong. Teague figured it out as soon as Sahriel didn’t turn up for his shift. His friend had been looking increasingly tired, and asking for more days off and Teague had done his best to help out and cover when needed but there had been no sign whatsoever of the little man this evening and as soon as he was let off his own shift, Teague agreed to go to the cottage to see what was going on. Maybe Sahriel was sick? It wasn’t unlikely, all things considered.

(more…)

Nefertem felt it when Sahriel was taken by Seth, not because there was any explosive anger in the wake of it but because you could only possess one seal at a time, and in taking Sahriel’s, Seth had set Nefertem free. He smiled, shaking his head at the stupidity of it. Seth was a fool to trust him so completely; to think he would wait at home, and let him just drag Sahriel to France, where Nefertem knew for a fact he didn’t want to go.

(more…)

Three days passed before Nefertem came down from his rooms to seek out Seth, still bruised and aching but feeling alive again, his skin no longer burning, cooling to it’s usual low temperature. He went first to Seth’s rooms, but upon finding them empty, made his way downstairs into the pit. His seal was there, in the locked casket beside Seth’s, locked and sealed away where he couldn’t steal it back, but Seth himself was nowhere to be found. Growing curious, Nefertem searched the house, to no avail, then threw his senses out in an ever-increasing arc, expecting to find him at some party, in some noble’s ear, as always.

(more…)

Weeks passed. The town was slowly repaired, travellers started coming through again, rumours started running the rounds as they always had, people were smiling, roofs over their heads again and apparently a new Lord was being sent to oversee the area. Sahriel didn’t care, he was too absorbed in his own small world, of serving in the inn at night and creeping off to see Connor in the early hours of the morning before he rose for work. Of dinners in Miriam’s cute little cottage, and Akhenti’s occasional visits. Of sex and kisses unlike any he’d had before, that sank into his soul and melded it into something a little human, saturating him until he almost forgot what he was. He was happy, for the first time in his long existence. Truly, impossibly happy.

(more…)

Steam billowed off the top of the mug. Sahriel watched it with grave attention, letting his fingertips play in it occasionally but mostly just enjoying the patterns it made while he made the water boil over and over so he could play with the steam. Miriam was behind him in the kitchen making dinner and Akhenti sat opposite, watching him play with the steam with a small frown on her face as if she didn’t approve of something but Sahriel didn’t care. She was his oldest friend, and he didn’t care and he knew that was probably a bad sign but it was just the way it was. Connor was all that mattered, and Connor was still washing up after another day of repairs in town.

(more…)

Sahriel waved frantically to Miriam, his other hand held firmly at his side. His smile was a little strained, but he understood the need to stay apart, out in the open where the lights still touched them and people could, conceievably, see. But as soon as they were off the main path, heading through the dark into the wood, Sahriel snatched up Connor’s hand, holding tightly to it as if afraid he might disappear into the trees and leave him there alone.

Not that it would matter, Sahriel could see just fine, but he didn’t want Connor to let go; to shake him off as if he didn’t want him. Now, more than ever, he needed Connor to want him. He’d sent Nefertem to Hell to stay with Connor. He’d certainly never risked that much before.

(more…)

Akhenti had mysteriously disappeared after a couple of days, and Miriam had decided, as with so many things recently, that it was better not to ask questions. She was watching, though, part in amused affection, partly in concern as Connor and Sahriel helped clean up the mess as the town slowly put itself to rights, and then disappeared every night to go sleep… somewhere, Miriam wasn’t sure where and didn’t think she wanted to know, but she wasn’t sure that it was healthy or safe, and in any case, she missed them.

(more…)

It was well past sunset when people started retiring for the night and Sahriel was finally able to get away, checking on Teague and grinning when Teague admitted Jack was upstairs in their room still. It was cute, in a seriously weird way. Sahriel still wasn’t sure the little brat was trustworthy, but he would keep an eye on him for Teague. He felt ready to walk to the nearest tree and curl up at the base to sleep, but at the same time it was night and he didn’t feel like sleeping. It was a strange combination, to be that tired, but also not feel like sleeping.

(more…)

Akhenti had slept for a long time, and Miriam had eyed her warily now and then, but made no attempt to wake her, moving softly and quietly when she had to go near. She was undeniably curious about the strange girl, but still found her rather intimidating. Akhenti was loud, bold, combative and a little bit wild – way beyond the normal bounds of Miriam’s relatively conventional world.

Eventually, however, even Akhenti had had enough sleep, and sat up yawning and blinking, cringing from the sun. “Owww ow ow ow,” she complained, hopping up and pulling the blanket over her head like a shelter as she dashed for the bedroom.

(more…)