Chapter 130

AXL I flex my toes in the velvety sand as the heat of the late afternoon sun warms my back. Elpis circles overhead, and I watch her, mesmerized. I’m still awestruck over the fact that such majestic creatures exist and that the majority of people on this earth can’t see them. Certainly none of the people in the towns below can; otherwise, I’m certain we would have hordes of curious villagers descending upon the house. “I never figured you as someone who would enjoy the beach, Axl.” His voice startles me, and I spin around. It’s been over an hour since Xavier told me he was looking for me. I think I’ve walked the entire length of beach and back in that time. “I like the sound of the ocean.” He hums softly before he sits down. “How did all those vampire legends get our relationship with sunshine so wrong? I can barely get a tan, let alone burst into flames.” His attempt at humor is very unlike him, and it makes me uneasy. Still, when he pats the space beside him, I take a seat in the sand