Sipping With The Enemy Novels & Stories

43: Ayame – The Sweetest Sting Ayame I don’t want to be bad company. I also feel like a caged animal—cornered and pacing. I tuck the flask back in my boot. Her grin is the only signal the bartender needs. Two cups of something new are poured. I haven’t seen them in the Valley before. Hallowed and polished horns for drink, are a northern if not Stepan staple. Soko wriggles in delight at her first sip. Letting me take notice that her fangs out, and her irises are fully extended. It’s not for the dim light, I know.

he said and instantly drowned the full content inside his cup at once down his throat. “Here, this is for you.” He stretched the second glass he has with him for me to take. I took it hesitantly, my expression sour. “So tell me guys, rumor has it the both of you are sworn enemies. But here we are, and none of you has yet to remove a gun to make a hole out of the other’s head.” He curved a devious smile, as he flipped glances at me and Ryan. Ryan followed up with an amused look and laugh, “Sworn enemies?” He laughed harder.

"Élianor… You look like…" "Like what they need to see," I interrupt. "The specter of their misdeeds, made flesh and blood, and holding the keys to their survival." The children are asleep, protected by Sophie in the west wing, far from the murmurs and the clinking of glasses. The tea she brings me is Lapsang Souchong, smoky, sharp. It tastes of ash and resolution. I drink it in one go. "And him?" The question is a stone I toss into the well of my own contempt.

I was free and alive, lifted and soared from the heaviness, as cruelty of my enemy evaporated away. Once drinking and jollifying, we heard no more shout or scream. This should probably have been taken to mean that our enemy was finally silenced into submission. My gaze swung to Jacob; my eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Let's go check it out," I said to him in a voice little louder than a whisper.

“But I would rather not be involved from the start, you understand? Giovanni… he’s relentless. I don’t want to become collateral damage in whatever war is brewing between you two.” I leaned back in my seat, finally curling my fingers around the glass he had offered. I took a slow sip, letting the burn of the alcohol settle in my throat before replying. “I’ll understand if you’re scared and can’t continue with the deal. Just know, from today, you’ll be my enemy if you back out.” My voice lowered, taking on the cold aura I used when I wanted to make a point. “And you know exactly how far I’ll go to torment those who go against me.”

She opened a fresh bottle of wine and poured some into a glass for Luna. Luna shook her head hesitantly, "Oh, no, no...." But Regina coaxed, a reassuring smile on her face. "Oh, come on. You saw me open it. If you're thinking it's laced with poison, it's not. I promise." Reluctantly, she took a tentative sip, the wine's richness unfolding on her palate. As Luna looked up at Regina, her gaze turned dark, a malicious smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "An enemy of my enemy is my friend...or so they say."

She lifted her gaze, her lips curving into a small smile. "Justin," she greeted smoothly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" I leaned back, letting my posture convey ease. "I think you and I might have something in common." She raised a perfectly sculpted brow. "Do we?" "A common problem," I clarified, The waiter had come to take my order immediately I sat down and I just ordered whisky for now. He had just brought the glass to our table momentarily cutting me off from what I was saying to Diana. I waited till he left, and then I continued what I was saying, swirling the glass of whiskey the waiter had just placed in front of me. "Or rather, a common enemy."

“You're free to speak love; what is it?” “The blood, I—” I changed the topic as I was going to ask about us mating; something in me just wanted to be touched by him. “Oh yes…” He sipped on his glass before he placed it down and stood up. “I will be honest.” He walked to the window, giving me his back. “I have an enemy in the human world; he's giving me a hard time, so that's all I'm dealing with.” “The—”

People slapped my shoulder, handed me drinks, pulled me into conversations I didn’t want to be in. My head buzzed not from alcohol but from frustration. I wasn’t really here. My mind kept circling back to a certain omega and how wet her eyes were earlier in the day. I grabbed a small cup from the stack on a table nearby and took one sip from it. It was bitter, strong and not the usual mix. I frowned. “What the hell is in this?” I asked Jonah. He shrugged. “No idea. It’s what they’re serving.” “Yo! Where's Santiago?” Another teammate asked, rushing towards Jonah and I, and I shrugged my shoulders.

The figures were shrouded in darkness, but one of them stood out—a tall, menacing figure with an air of authority. Sylvester’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the enemy’s leader. We need to act quickly.” Rayka nodded, signaling the team to prepare for an assault. As they moved in, a sudden noise from behind them startled everyone. The figures at the table turned, revealing their faces in the moonlight. One of them, a familiar face from the enemy’s ranks, stepped forward. “You’ve been too slow. We’ve been expecting you.” Before Rayka could react, the enemy’s leader vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a cryptic message scrawled on the ground: “The game is far from over.”