異体同心
itai doushin
“Two bodies, same heart.”
~Japanese proverb
Horus
She looks at me like I’m an idiot.
I don’t really know how to respond to that look. Her mouth is slightly parted, her full lips pink and tempting. I just told her I was the god of the sky, and she’s staring at me like I’m an idiot.
Her head tilts to the side. “You don’t look like a god.”
I’ve never been more offended in my entire existence. “What are gods supposed to look like, I wonder?”
“Bigger.” She nods her head. “And don’t they glow? Why don’t you glow?”
“Why don’t you glow?” Where has my intelligence escaped to?
“I’m human,” she says in a duh voice. “And if you’re a god, why are you here? What’s your purpose?”
I’ve never had to actually explain myself to someone in all my years of existence, and this measly human needs proof? No, she is demanding proof.
I snap my fingers and twist my wrist to the right. The blinds instantly open, and the coffee maker turns on.
She bursts out laughing. “Wow, cool parlor trick.”
“What’s that? What’s a parlor trick? Tarek never showed me those!” Do I need to know them to be relevant? So many questions, and she’s still laughing.
She leans forward. “That’s easily manipulated. I want to see something unique, O’ God of the Sky. Wow, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. Oh damn, maybe I died in the poop bathroom!”
“You’re alive, trust me. The poop bathroom was saved by my powers, and I have limited power now that I’m in this timeline, so I can’t suddenly do what I’ve always done, but I can do this,” I tether myself to her and jerk her forward. She slams against my chest, her hands spread against my T-shirt. “How’s that?”
“Your heartbeat,” she whispers, her fingers drumming against my chest in a perfect cadence. “It’s so fast.”
“All gods have faster heartbeats, we live longer, we’re faster, we’re created differently than humans.”
“Are you calling me lazy?”
“I’m calling you weak, but lazy works too.”
She shoves my chest.
I don’t even move.
“Let me guess, you’re really strong too?”
I nod. “I thought it was obvious.”
“And arrogant, lucky me.”
“Stay here tonight,” I say again. “And I’ll make you breakfast in the morning.”
She huffs out a breath. “So what? You’re a god, he’s a werewolf, and I’m guessing the other dude was like a vampire or something?”
“Male siren, vampire, archangel, goddess, fairy…” I shrug. “Take your pick, we’re all from different races, but we work together to make sure humanity survives.”
This time her mouth really does stay open in shock. I almost close it when she lets out a shriek. “This can’t be real! I just haven’t slept in days! You know that’s how it works, right? This stupid insomnia paired with nightmares. I’m off my sleep meds; yup, that’s what this is. I just can’t seem to snap out of it. Hurry up, pinch me, or hit me.”
“I don’t hit women, I don’t pinch them unless it’s their nipples or ass, and I highly doubt you’re in the mood for that. Why don’t you go take a shower, and I’ll grab you some fresh clothes?”
“Are you cleaning me to eat me?”
I grin and lean down. “Do you want me to eat you?”
Her eyes flash.
Interesting.
A rush of lust punches me in the chest and travels south.
“No. Never.”
“Liar.” I tug her earlobe. “But you’re cute when you lie, so I’ll let it slide.”
“Ughhhh!’ She starts off in the wrong direction to the bathroom, then turns around and walks back.
“I knew where I was going.”
I nod. “I believe you.”
The bathroom door slams.
And I’m left smiling and thanking Timber for forcing my hand.