SUIT and FANGS Read Free Page B

stories of the twins were made up, concocted by the elders to keep them from doing something as shamefully gauche as falling in love.
    But now he knew.
    It was true.
    He had almost killed Caylie.
    Caylie was blinking furiously at him, and Luka knew she was doing her best to stay awake even though the toxic substance in her system was already lulling her to sleep. “Luka, tell me---” BURP. Frustration made her blue eyes brighten. “I don’t know why I’m---” BURP. Caylie let out a wail. “I can smell my breath and it’s awful!”
    Even though he felt like there was a noose suddenly tightening around his neck, Luka couldn’t help but smile. Even this far, his heightened senses allowed the scent of Caylie’s breath to waft through the air and reach him. And it did smell awful.
    She covered her mouth. “You can smell it, don’t you?” She mumbled the words against her palm.
    A painful twinge pinched his heart even as his smile widened. Only Caylie could make him feel like this. “ It doesn’t --- ”
    Caylie groaned. “That’s your polite tone. You can smell it and you’re even trying not to wrinkle your nose!” BURP. Groan. BURP. Groan. “What’s happening to me?” Caylie wailed.
    “You’re drunk on poisoned steel,” he murmured dryly.
    She gasped in outrage. “Someone---” BURP. “--- drugged--- ” BURPBURP. “Me?”
    Luka did not know if he wanted to laugh or groan, maybe a little of both. Caylie burping was hilarious, but the smell was indeed goddamn awful and only his impeccable manners kept him from pinching his nose.
    “Didn’t I tell you not to accept drinks from strangers?” he asked unsympathetically. Poisoned steel had a mysterious effect on Caro blood, causing them to either lose consciousness…or – in Caylie’s case – suffer good old intoxication with a touch of digestive disorder.
    “This is so humiliating,” she muttered. She tried to glare at him, as if blaming Luka for what happened even while continuing to fight off her drowsiness.
    Luka didn’t bother saying anything as he bent down to pick her dress up from the floor, knowing Caylie wouldn’t ever remember a word next morning. She wouldn’t even remember how he had almost taken advantage of her, as well as almost murder her in the process.
    Luka straightened up. He gazed bleakly at Caylie, knowing it could be the last time he’d have the luxury of gazing at her almost-naked body.
    The immortal words of his kind blazed into his mind with painful clarity.
    Let the blood flow, the flesh burn, but never let the heart decide.
    He was only half-Caro and yet the torture of withholding himself was already beyond imaginable.
    Caylie caught him staring mid-yawn. “What?” Her voice had become slurry.
    “Come on,” he said gruffly, pulling her close so he could help her dress.
    “Luka?” Caylie mumbled insistently. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” he said shortly. “Arms up.”
    She scowled even as she obeyed, always letting him help her, just as a bauble expected to be cherished by its owner or a beloved pet who had charmed its master to being its slave. That had always been their roles to each other, ever since he had started playing babysitter to her at age four. Most of the time, Luka had been content with the status quo. Even after the first explosive kiss they had shared, Luka had thought he would be strong enough to be with her, to wait for Caylie until she grew up and realized she was in love with him, too.
    But now he knew he was wrong.
    IT was true.
    This murderous feeling would only grow worse for as long as his love remained unrequited.
    “I’m sleepy.” Again, she said it accusingly as if it was Luka’s fault.
    Luka didn’t bother answering as he finished pulling her dress back down to its not-that-respectable length. This wasn’t a dress, really. It was just a fucking piece of cloth masquerading as one, and with not enough fabric to cover her ass.
    “Luka?”
    “I’ll tuck you to bed.” It