There was plenty of that to do, especially because of the last few hours, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
Over a stiff drink. Or three.
I know just the place,Gianna replied with a winking emoji.
Diego
After a long night on my feet working at the healing center, I trudged the final steps home before dawn. Well, what was home for now. After Margaret’s death, my two roommates and I weren’t sure what was going to happen. We’d rented the main part of the house from her while she lived in her private apartment. A witch, shifters, and vampire sharing a house was a freak fest even for this town, which was more accepting to supernaturals than most.
Her unexpected death was a tough blow, especially since I was the one who found her. We had separate apartments and shared a kitchen, but after none of us had seen her for a few days, I went to check on her. The look of shock on her face as she lay on her back, staring up at nothing, was now seared into my memory.
As a fairly new vampire, I should get used to losing friends who weren’t cursed with immortality. This loss was another reminder that I shouldn’t get too close to anyone. They’d all disappear one day.
Near the front door, the black mailbox with our house number perched out front appeared full. I grabbed the stash of envelopes since my roommates acted like they had an allergic reaction to mail and rarely brought it in.
Once I entered, the scent of frying eggs and bacon wafted over from the kitchen. Sebastian, my wolf shifter roommate, listened to the morning news as he tended to his breakfast. It would reach fifty degrees on a sunny October day, not that I’d have the opportunity to experience that. He had his intense, I’m cooking, serious expression on his unshaven face. The apron he wore had a finger pointing at him with steam around it and read “Sizzling.”
He glanced up. “Hey man, what’s up?”
“I’m ready to sit on the couch and watch mindless reruns until I’m catatonic.” I sat on the worn gray suede sofa in the living room area, dropped the mail on the cushion beside me, and turned to a comedy station on the TV. Since this was an open-floor space, I could see him zipping about.
“Rough shift, huh?” Sebastian asked. “I made plenty of food.” He winked. “I’ll add some extra blood to your eggs.”
“Thanks, Seb. Just a little, though.” I specified with my thumb and forefinger. Many vampires couldn’t tolerate food, but for some reason, I could eat small portions. Too bad that ability didn’t extend to being able to survive without blood.
“Okay, a small plate.”
“Sebastian,” I warned. “I know how you get. You’re always trying to feed me pasta like an Italian grandmother.”
“Okay, okay, one tiny scoop.” He nodded at the pile beside me. “Anything for me?”
I picked up the mail and began to sort it. One envelope stood out. It was cream and the return address was printed in an ornate font from the Salem Supernatural Network. They helped supes like us live and navigate the human world, with things like finding jobs and apartments. I straightened and stared at the return address as if the letters could strike like a cobra.
“Here’s something for all of us.” After hesitating, I opened the envelope and read an invitation. My bottom lip twitched.
“What is it?” Sebastian asked.
“It’s an invitation for a Halloween ball, hosted by the Salem Supernatural Network next weekend.”
“Nice.” Sebastian raised his hand into a fist. “If anyone knows how to throw a ball on Halloween, it’s supes in Salem.”
“Yeah, maybe.” When I spotted the next envelope that was addressed to me, I opened it. Although my heart no longer beat the way it once did, I swear it jolted against my rib cage. It was her writing—the Ex Who Must Not be Named.
“Never mind,” I said. “No way am I going now.”
“Why not?”
I raised my brows. “She’sgoing.” I read the note to him.
Hi Diego,
I’ll be in Salem next weekend. Going to the ball on Halloween. Hope we can catch up.
Diana.
Sebastian scoffed.“Diana will be there. Big deal. You can’t hide from her forever.”
“I can,” I countered as I shifted on the couch. “And I think I will.”
