Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 40

( Please enjoy the new cover for Abyss! Affliction is officially being published and is set to hit the shelves September 2022 <3 )

The food is good and the music is cheerful, I'm appreciating having a moment alone with him in this loud yet humble restaurant. What would one call it in these times? It wasn't quite a tavern. While the temptation is there to talk about strategy, how often did we get to spend this sort of time together? "What do you miss the most about the past?" I ask, nibbling on a french fry. 

His disinterest in fried foods always amused me, for someone who'd grown up with little he surely had a list of requirements for his meals. "That's an odd question. The past was terrible." He mutters, seeing my face fall, he takes a slow breath as he scans the room with his ever-vigilant pass-over glance. "The silence. The future is quite loud."

At one time I might have said my family, but the older I've grown the more I've come to realize that I had adopted a second family that I truly missed much more dearly. "I miss the unknown. I don't appreciate the availability of knowledge or the stupidity I gather because of it. I can never remember to use these damn things." Tossing my cellphone on the table, I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "I suppose it's for the best, they're all tampered with."

Verando smirks, "I think it's a charming personality trait. Oftentimes, I wondered why you would withhold using magic in certain situations. Little did we all know it was forgetfulness that nearly caused our demise."

I pull the tab off my straw, blowing the paper at him in irritation. "There are hundreds of spells, I challenge you to choose the perfect one for every situation and recite it to perfection at the drop of a hat." The boyish grin softens me just enough and I roll my eyes at him, recreating the dramatic effect he had patented. "In all seriousness, is there a part of the past that you miss?"

Considering this, Verando shrugs one shoulder. "I don't like to think about it, Nic. I miss the moments I wasted being so angry. Feels quite silly now, really. The longer you're a lycan, the more you'll see that it's an odd sense of living in the here and now. The wolf doesn't ever dwell on much, more so relying on basic instincts, hunger... exhaustion.. desire. But the past, regret, longing, it's all very human and we are no longer human."

I hadn't thought of it that way, such feelings had been so wild since I'd become a lycan I hadn't had much time to consider that it was the basic ones that remained front and center. My deep feelings of loss when I think of my family had most definitely faded. Frowning, I settle back into my chair, only to feel his hand rest over mine. 

"I'm sorry darling, I didn't mean to put a damper on your mood."

"It's alright, it's actually refreshing once I get past my lack of humanity. You haven't been yourself lately. I feel like I have a piece of you back." He'd worried me with his behavior, his anxiety and drinking habits were unlike him. 

"A lot of us haven't been ourselves." The voice sounds familiar. I was surprised she'd been able to sneak up on us though when I think back, Verando's attention to the crowd indicated that he might have indeed known she was there. Helen does not attempt to sit down, she's dirty but looks like she'd been fending for herself for some time. The clothes were worn, a patched bodysuit with a jacket that indicated she'd been spending quite some time outside. 

Yet, her hair was still the same startling white. She looks older, more mature, even though it'd been a very short time since I'd last seen her. 

The snarl rips through my throat and Verando's hand grips mine, I'm shocked at the response I earn from him, and for a moment that sharp gaze backs me down into seated silence. A mixture of offense and arousal at the sudden command to remain obedient to his will.