background like some mystical babysitter waiting for me to step out of line? Part of me wanted to test that theory, but Faith and Kai would surely pay for my rebellion.
9:00 p.m. I tossed back the contents and braced myself for a magical blow.
Nothing.
The grass and citrus notes underlying the more typical metal and molasses flavor wrinkled my nose and tugged down the corners of my mouth in a grimace, but I experienced no head rush, no waves of power or pleasure, no warmth, none of the sensations I’d come to expect from imbibing blood.
A trickle of fear feathered over my skin raising goose bumps in its wake, this stealthy black magic scarier than an in your face magical attack. My mind pictured the blood snaking through my insides, planting its evil seeds, lurking like sleeper agents waiting for Dixon to activate them, while I felt nothing.
I jabbed the stopper into the empty vial and shoved it in my purse. My cell buzzed, and I yanked it out.
Text from Alexander. Yours. Remember.
A frown furrowed my brow, my instincts buzzing with suspicion. But what could I do about it? As with my Dixon problem, not a damn thing. I couldn’t take charge and act, only react . I ground my teeth in frustration.
A four-on-the-floor beat plus a wailing diva issued from my phone, derailing my cranky thoughts. Adrian’s ring tone. “Hey, Adrian. What’s up?” My voice sounded calm. Impressive considering my angst level.
“Hey, babe, you coming to Haven tonight?”
“No, maybe, I don’t know yet. I’m out with Gen and Claire.”
“Two of my favorite ladies. Next to you, of course. Where?”
“Banzai. Duh.” And currently hiding in the bathroom drinking the black magic blood I promised you and Jonas I wouldn’t drink. I turned away from the mirror and my guilty expression.
“Damn, I forgot they reopened. Sushi, sake, and karaoke. Wish I could join you fine ladies.”
I stalked to the bathroom door. “Sorry, girls’ night out. No dudes allowed.”
Except for Ren who insisted on shadowing me, but he didn’t count since he waited outside with Stella. They kept watch from our BMW parked out front in the passenger loading zone, as per Stella’s usual disregard for human rules.
Adrian chuckled, the warm sound soothing my jangled nerves. “Message received, babe. Glad you’re out. Thought you might hole up by yourself after the incident with Dixon.”
“I won’t let him win, Adrian.” I’d die before letting him win this time. “I have to go. I’m in the bathroom, which is the only reason I can even hear you right now.” I stepped out into the hall.
“Sure, babe. Come over after you’ve had enough food, drink, and off-key singing. You’re so much fun when you’re tipsy.”
I smiled. “Life of the party, that’s me. Hanging up now, Adrian. Buh-bye.”
I headed for my table. Across the way, Lily, my witch ally and owner of this fine establishment, chatted with some happy sushi bar customers. Lily and her husband, Sam, had returned from white witch camp ahead of schedule and reopened their restaurant today. Jonas, of course, brought her straight to my house to check out the box I’d taken home from Adrian’s house. Her efforts to extract info from it failed, leaving me relieved my new secret remained secure, but disappointed I had to find and fight Dixon on my own.
I hoped to avoid Lily after that, but when Gen and Claire showed up at my place to drag me out for our weekly girls’ night, Stella told them Banzai was open. My friends were thrilled to party at our usual haunt while I had to conceal my dismay with feigned excitement. My act worked on them, but could I continue to hide my secret from one of the most powerful witches on the planet?
Lily’s gaze targeted me as I made my way back to my table. I smiled and waved then focused on my progress to my table. Felt like I walked a gauntlet. A gauntlet of lies.
Gen and Claire spotted me and whooped with delight—and slight drunkenness—raising
9:00 p.m. I tossed back the contents and braced myself for a magical blow.
Nothing.
The grass and citrus notes underlying the more typical metal and molasses flavor wrinkled my nose and tugged down the corners of my mouth in a grimace, but I experienced no head rush, no waves of power or pleasure, no warmth, none of the sensations I’d come to expect from imbibing blood.
A trickle of fear feathered over my skin raising goose bumps in its wake, this stealthy black magic scarier than an in your face magical attack. My mind pictured the blood snaking through my insides, planting its evil seeds, lurking like sleeper agents waiting for Dixon to activate them, while I felt nothing.
I jabbed the stopper into the empty vial and shoved it in my purse. My cell buzzed, and I yanked it out.
Text from Alexander. Yours. Remember.
A frown furrowed my brow, my instincts buzzing with suspicion. But what could I do about it? As with my Dixon problem, not a damn thing. I couldn’t take charge and act, only react . I ground my teeth in frustration.
A four-on-the-floor beat plus a wailing diva issued from my phone, derailing my cranky thoughts. Adrian’s ring tone. “Hey, Adrian. What’s up?” My voice sounded calm. Impressive considering my angst level.
“Hey, babe, you coming to Haven tonight?”
“No, maybe, I don’t know yet. I’m out with Gen and Claire.”
“Two of my favorite ladies. Next to you, of course. Where?”
“Banzai. Duh.” And currently hiding in the bathroom drinking the black magic blood I promised you and Jonas I wouldn’t drink. I turned away from the mirror and my guilty expression.
“Damn, I forgot they reopened. Sushi, sake, and karaoke. Wish I could join you fine ladies.”
I stalked to the bathroom door. “Sorry, girls’ night out. No dudes allowed.”
Except for Ren who insisted on shadowing me, but he didn’t count since he waited outside with Stella. They kept watch from our BMW parked out front in the passenger loading zone, as per Stella’s usual disregard for human rules.
Adrian chuckled, the warm sound soothing my jangled nerves. “Message received, babe. Glad you’re out. Thought you might hole up by yourself after the incident with Dixon.”
“I won’t let him win, Adrian.” I’d die before letting him win this time. “I have to go. I’m in the bathroom, which is the only reason I can even hear you right now.” I stepped out into the hall.
“Sure, babe. Come over after you’ve had enough food, drink, and off-key singing. You’re so much fun when you’re tipsy.”
I smiled. “Life of the party, that’s me. Hanging up now, Adrian. Buh-bye.”
I headed for my table. Across the way, Lily, my witch ally and owner of this fine establishment, chatted with some happy sushi bar customers. Lily and her husband, Sam, had returned from white witch camp ahead of schedule and reopened their restaurant today. Jonas, of course, brought her straight to my house to check out the box I’d taken home from Adrian’s house. Her efforts to extract info from it failed, leaving me relieved my new secret remained secure, but disappointed I had to find and fight Dixon on my own.
I hoped to avoid Lily after that, but when Gen and Claire showed up at my place to drag me out for our weekly girls’ night, Stella told them Banzai was open. My friends were thrilled to party at our usual haunt while I had to conceal my dismay with feigned excitement. My act worked on them, but could I continue to hide my secret from one of the most powerful witches on the planet?
Lily’s gaze targeted me as I made my way back to my table. I smiled and waved then focused on my progress to my table. Felt like I walked a gauntlet. A gauntlet of lies.
Gen and Claire spotted me and whooped with delight—and slight drunkenness—raising
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