Bloodbound: The Alliance

Avara POV

Resting against the expansive window of the library, nestled on the cushioned corner. Engrossed in reading a book, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. I’ve been reading for hours, indulging in literature. My eyes stray to the view outside, waking me from my daydream. The canopy of stars scattered like elf fust across the breadth of the sky. It causes the penumbra of colors to reflect on the lake, mirroring the cosmos. I smile softly... then it starts to fade.

I sniff the air. A horrid smell like burnt toast but a thousand times stronger.

I discard the book, running out of the library and dashing down the corridor. I appear in the foyer and I race inside the chef-style kitchen, immediately bombarded by the smell of burnt onions. My eyes jump to multiple pots and pans on the stove, some simmering, most at a roiling boil. And a skillet looking close to being a fire hazard.

Landen explodes into a litany of curses, taking a glove and grabbing the handle of the skillet to dump it in the sink. He catches a glimpse of me and he turns sharply. He feigns nonchalance, placing a casual hand on the slab of marble, the kitchen engulfed in smoke.

"Hey, I was just about to call you."

"You should consider calling the fire department first."

He gives me a flat stare, then he continues, "Call you, so you can have dinner."

I free a cough, tapping my chest. "I appreciate the sentiment." I go to the stove, inspecting the food that has the deadly potential of being weaponized.

"I want you to try something."

"No," I blurt. "I’m full."

"You haven’t eaten?"