“They have female fetishes. They want to know everything about us. Watch us. Touch us.”
She wasn’t helping my nerves and knew it. Shaking her head at me, she nudged me to take a seat.
“Relax. Try to have fun. No one is going to die.”
She’d seen the same violent endings I had, but didn’t have an ounce of fear for them. Why not?
The answer came with a plate of food. Solin handed it to her and immediately sat on the floor, tugging off her socks while she dug into her helping of eggs.
She moaned in appreciation when he started rubbing her feet.
“Did you know that they’re learning how to give massages? Whoever decided to teach them that was the smartest person ever,” Brooke said as Groth handed me a plate.
“Can I rub your feet?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes, you may,” Brooke said when I didn’t immediately answer.
Groth shook his head slowly.
“That is not Terri’s consent. She needs to say it.”
“Uh, I’d rather not,” I said, my pulse already starting to pick up pace with my worry.
His shoulders slumped a little, and he moved off to the side, taking a seat where he could stare at me.
I glanced at Azio, who stood off to the side, watching me just as intently. When he caught my gaze, he nodded at me.
“Eat, Terri. You are safe.”
I realized then he wasn’t only telling me I was safe from the infected and hellhounds in his presence. I was also safe from him. From both of them.
Ducking my head, I ate the breakfast he’d made for me and savored each bite. The eggs were delicious, made even better by the fact he’d cooked them just for me.
As soon as we were finished, Brooke arched a brow at me.
“You’re up.”
“Actually, I think I’m good for now.”
“You sure you don’t want a few roasts for your freezer?”
“You’ve proven your point. I’m less worried than I was before. Maybe.”
“You’re not really selling the confidence here.”
“I know. I just don’t think I’m ready to push at boundaries yet.”
“Fair enough. Want to do breakfast together again tomorrow?”
Solin started to chuckle.
“Brooke does not like to cook,” he confided, flashing his teeth at me. They were pointed. Like that damn barn cat.
Brooke dug an elbow into my side when his smile started to fade.
“Cut it out, Terri. Do you know how much talking and other things I had to do to convince him he has an amazing smile? They’ve changed so much already because of our petty fears. They wear clothes that are too small and uncomfortable just to look more human. They don’t smile. They lose sleep to keep us safe. They gave up their homes. They—”
“I’m sorry,” I said, holding up my hands. “Solin, you do have a lovely smile. My surprise doesn’t mean anything other than you’re the first one I’ve seen do it.”