Page 16 of Starlight

Akai took another swig of whiskey. “Because with small mammals, I can crunch through the bones. Human bones are too big.”

“And you need what’s in the bone?”

“I do need bone.” He couldn’t help himself, and it was true in both meanings of the word. There was no polite way to ask if Cole liked bone.

Cole’s eyebrows lifted. “I’ll take the sofa bed because it’s smaller and you might want to stretch your wings.”

“You’re inviting me to stay in your cabin?”

“Apparently. And against my better judgement.”

Akai grinned, and Cole’s gaze landed on his mouth. He quickly pressed his lips together, hiding his pointed front teeth.

“The show seems to be over, so we should probably go in. I can clean up your arm and show you around.”

He should say something like ‘only if it’s no trouble’ or ‘you’re so generous,’ but there was a part of him that was still incensed about being shot. Yeah, the whiskey had dulled the pain, but his wing and his arm throbbed, and he suspected that sleep was going to be next to impossible.

Cole gathered up the bowls, whiskey, and rifle. “Can you pour the rest of the water on the fire?”

Akai picked up the bottle and did as asked. “Shall I bring the chair?”

“Only if you want to sit on the deck in the morning.”

Only if you’re planning on stepping out naked. Then he’d have a front row seat. He picked up the chair with his good hand and followed Cole into the cabin. He ducked his head as he stepped through the door. He’d watched it being built so knew how small it was, but now he was inside, it seemed even smaller, despite the windows along one side that gave Cole a sweeping view of the valley. Down there was a human town, which was probably where Cole lived.

The kitchen and living room were all one space. Two stools were tucked under the kitchen counter, and a sofa faced the windows. There was a small wood fire in the center of the house, but it wasn’t being used.

“The bedroom is through that door.” He pointed to a door past the sofa. “This is the kitchen, and the bathroom is behind me. There’s not a huge amount of water. I’m hoping for some rain soon.”

“It’s cozy,” Akai said, trying to be polite.

“It’s small.” He shrugged. “But it’s big enough for me.”

Was that a subtle reminder that he wasn’t supposed to be there? “Yet you planned for guests with the sofa bed.”

“It’s never been used. Guess I get to see if it’s good to sleep on.” He finished washing the dishes and set them aside to dry. “Let’s look at your arm, and then I’ll make up the bed.”

CHAPTER NINE

Cole lay awake staring out the windows like he did most nights when he was in the cabin. It often took him a while to go to sleep, and today was no different, aside from the fact that he was on the sofa bed, and a very oversized moth-person was in his bed.

All those times he’d been afraid of the dark and monsters as a child, and now, he’d invited one in. And it wasn’t under his bed, but in it.

While he slept out here.

Not that he wanted to sleep in his bed with Akai. That would be weird.

He was big and hairy with giant red eyes and small pointy teeth. And when Cole had offered Akai pajama pants, he’d declined, saying they wouldn’t fit and that he preferred to sleep naked anyway. Which shouldn’t have impacted his ability to sleep, but it was, even though he was wearing pajama pants and a T-shirt, which he only did when it was cold, despite packing them every time.

The naked monster in his bed was a problem, and not one he’d be able to solve tonight, or tomorrow, if he didn’t get any sleep. He rolled over, rather too aware of how thin the mattress on the sofa bed was. After a bit of wriggling around, he found a comfy spot and forced himself to close his eyes, but he was aware of every movement coming from the bedroom.

Was Akai uncomfortable?

Of course he was—he’d been shot.

But he was also used to sleeping in a nest.

How had he never noticed a massive nest on his property?