Page 121 of Challenge Me

“Remi, I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

When he met my eyes, he blinked a few times. His throat bobbed, then he brought the cigarette to his lips. By the time he blew the smoke out, his eyes had returned to normal.

“Just rambling,” he said.

I studied his face. “Have you eaten today?”

“Don’t do that.”

“I’m just asking a question.”

“You think I’m insane.”

“You are insane.” Taking both sides of his neck, I held onto him tightly. “If you’re worried about this, I’m worried.”

“There’s no use being worried. The future’s inevitable. It always has been.”

“Should we ask Odin about that?”

A soft laugh escaped him. “Yeah, I’m sure he’s got a lot to say on the subject.”

“Baby, if she finds . . . whatever’s in your past, and she airs it to the world, I will make sure she never publishes another article. Not for any legitimate company, at least.”

“I was gay before that.”

“What?”

“It didn’t make me gay, what happened back then.”

I reared back, stunned into silence. He looked at me without an ounce of emotion on his face.

“What . . .” I tightened my grip on him. “Why the fuck would you say that?”

He shrugged.

“Remi, who the hell would think that sort of thing?”

“You haven’t been in this world for very long. It’s something people say.”

“Those people should be drawn and quartered.”

“Maybe. Look, all I’m saying is Clara has a deep-seated hatred for people like us, and I don’t want you to be surprised by what she or other people insinuate if things come to light.”

“There’s no way that’ll come to light,” I said. “It’s not the sort of thing someone comes forward and admits.”

“Yeah . . . Yeah, you’re right.”

“Good, so stop looking for hidden meaning in dreams. Given the way your mind works, I’ll go out on a limb and say they’re just unhinged creations of your subconscious. Especially those creepy ravens.”

His head cocked. “Did I mention ravens?”

“Thought and Memory.”

His expression softened, finally giving me a glimpse of the man with a tendency to lose himself to the fantastical. “Have you been reading the Eddas, baby?”

“I may have browsed a story or two,” I admitted.

Not wanting to get sappy, I dragged him into the house so that I could make some food. He hadn’t answered the question about whether he’d eaten, but if nothing else, it would give him something to occupy his troubled mind. I’d be here for quite a few days, but I had a game on most of them, so I had to do what I could while I had the time.