A growl echoed through the tunnel again. Low. Hungry.
Zeref's staff flared to life, crimson runes spinning around its shaft. "Get behind me," he ordered, his voice all sharp and commander-like.
I blinked at him, deadpan. "What for?"
"Didn't you hear that growl?"
"...Yeah. About that."
Then my stomach growled again, louder. Like a demon auditioning for a metal concert.
Zeref turned to me slowly, disbelief all over his stupidly handsome face. "You're kidding."
I covered my gut and hissed, "I told you I skipped breakfast!"
He broke. Full-on laughter burst from him, deep, throaty, echoing against the dungeon walls. The type that makes you want to trip him out of sheer pettiness.
"Oh shut up!" I smacked his arm, which only made him laugh harder. "Stop laughing before I turn vegetarian out of spite and eat you!"
"Wouldn't taste good. Too spicy," he teased, flames flickering at his fingertips as he grinned down at me. "You're the one who wanted to start early, remember?"
