Epilogue

Epilogue 3.09

---Taryn---

     "If I have to spend one more week in Byandriga, I swear I'm going to ram a stake through my heart," I say, slamming my glass down on the bar. "Gimme another... whatever the hell you call this disgusting crap."

     "Fermented griffin's blood," says the muscled incubus who's been chatting me up. He waves down the bartender, whose hooves make a clopping noise as he trots over to us. Heavy bass booms all around us, and disco balls made of mortal souls bathe the night club in a plethora of hues outside of the usual spectrum.

     "I'm pretty sure blood doesn't ferment," I mutter, glancing across the dancefloor, where Aiden is making out with some skanky mermaid. I never got what the big deal was with mermaids anyway—who wants to be half fish?

     "Human blood, no. Griffin blood though..." The incubus snaps his fingers and the bartender pours him another glass. He tosses his head back and downs it in a single gulp. Then he licks his lips, tantalizingly.

     I roll my eyes. If this chiselled beach god thinks he's going to be able to work his magic on me, he's got another think coming. I mean, I've got urges, but... No. I am above this. Besides, there's no such thing as meaningless sex with an incubus; reproduction is their whole raison d'être.

     My gaze drifts back over to Aiden and the fish girl. Their little make-out session's getting a little less PG and a little more 14A.

     "Something on your mind?" asks the incubus, brushing aside a strand of his jet black hair—I'm not watching, but he's about as predictable as a one-sided die.

     I spin around and ask for a cream soda—need to get that metallic taste out of my mouth. The bartender asks if I want ice cubes, but I shake my head—in Byandriga, the ice cubes are made out of baby tears. "I was just thinking it might be neat to open up a sushi restaurant."

     The incubus scrunches up his face. "What's sushi?"

     "You don't know sushi?"

     He leans into the bar, resting his chin on his fist. "Why don't you tell me all about it?" he says, his eyes glittering.

     "In your dreams."

     "Actually, I was thinking we could do your dreams. My sister's crashing in mine—it'd be awkward."

     I stare into the glass of fermented griffin's blood. I'm not sure what's more disturbing: the fact that I drank alcoholic blood or the fact that I kind of liked it. The thought makes my stomach churn. "I've... gotta go to the bathroom." I hop out of my seat, but Aiden intercepts me before I can make a clean getaway.

     "Is this guy bothering you?" he asks, wearing a clumsy smile.

     "No, but you are."

     He sighs. "Have you got a moment?" I can't help but notice the mermaid hickeys on his neck.

     "Whatever."

     We settle into an empty booth, the music still blaring all around us. I could almost get used to this place. Sure, it's a dead world, but when you've got a series of manmade structures connected by an intricate network of tunnels, glowdarks aren't really much of a problem. The only catch? No humans. Unless they're on the menu.

     "So," says Aiden, his hands shaking. "You're not going to believe this, but—"

     "Your breath smells like tuna," I mutter.