The Survivor (Book 2)

Chapter 1

"So...turns out...I don't actually love you," Taylor shrugged around me and into the house. "I was lonely and scared, and you were sweaty and you'd be attractive even as a psycho."

I shook out my confusion, "Yeah, same," I frowned. "How'd you get here?"

"I'll tell you later. I wanna see my baby," he gave me a quick hug.

Eros dragged his feet out of the kitchen, holding his head, "Hey, T, I'm gonna...go..." the god trailed off, eyes locking on the apparent demon next to me. Eros clapped both hands over his mouth, sinking to his knees as fat tears rolled down his cheeks.

"C'mere, wobbly-knees," Tay held out his arms. Eros scrambled to his feet, leaping into Taylor's arms and squealing. The housemates followed into the entryway, stunned by the sight. Zack especially.

"I'm dreaming," Eros laughed through tears. "Don't let me wake up."

"You're not dreaming, darling," Taylor nuzzled his face into Eros's cheek. "We'll be back...later."

Taylor winked a solid black eye at me before tossing Eros over his shoulder, nearly missing the horn atop his wing, and traipsing downstairs to his room.

Zack shook out his head, "What the hell?! How'd he get back?!"

"Well, he's a demon," Lionel rolled his eyes. "So he probably sold Fifteen his soul in exchange for freedom."

"I know we should've killed the bastard in the war, but I'm glad he's back. For Eros's sake," Gen nodded.

"It'd be better if the dick would tell us how and why he's back," Zack rolled his eyes. "I guess happy birthday to you."

Genesis had an anxious look stitched into his features, "You don't think he knows...about...what little piece of us there is...right?"

"His drunken one-night stands with you? Nah," Zack shook his head. "He won't care. Why do you ask?"

"He's a demon now," Gen nodded quickly. "Demons are terrifying when they're first...demonized."

"What do we do until he explains?" Av asked, receiving shrugs as an answer.

"Presents," Zack wiggled an eyebrow at me.

"I told you not to get me anything," I whined, joining his side and hugging him loosely to calm his nerves. I could see veins sticking out in his arms from across the room and he was chewing on his lip like it was a piece of tough steak.

"I told you I don't listen very well," he kissed my hair. "Go wait in the living room, sweetheart."

I groaned and dragged my feet into the living room, plopping down on the shorter of the two couches. I'd never get over how squishy the couches were. Sitting on them was like sitting on a pile of stuffed animals.

Apollo sat next to me, poking my sides profusely and giggling like a child. "He told me everything he got you."

"Shut up, sunshine," Gen sat on the longer couch with Avalon and Lionel. "Control freaks hate surprises. Don't make it worse for her."

I stuck my tongue out at the god and he stuck out his back. Zack entered the room with a handful of boxes, perfectly wrapped, in all different shapes and sizes. He set them down on the coffee table gently, placing a medium-sized box in my lap.

"This one first," he kissed my cheek and sat next to me.

"Oh, is this the-?" Apollo started, but Zack reached over me to clap a hand over the god's mouth.

"Shut it, sunshine," Zack's eyes faded red. I rolled my eyes, biting back a laugh as I folded back the black wrapping paper. "Your favorite color."