“No,” both Jimmy and I said at the same time. And then that fool had the nerve to look at me with a hurt expression at my answer.
“Hewasmy boyfriend, up until ten minutes ago, when he started fucking you in the closet.”
“Jessica and I were just moving boxes in?—”
“You can do anything you want to her box. I’m leaving you.” The words felt like they should have hurt. But honestly, they feltlike freedom. “I just stopped by to break up with you in person. Cause I’m decent like that.”
Jimmy’s face twisted, confusion and frustration battling on his features. “She didn’t mean anything, baby.”
“Excuse me,” huffed Jessica, ponytail swinging toward Jimmy.
“Oh sweetie, I know that.” I patted Jimmy on the chest like I was calming a nervous animal. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m leaving. I’m off to meet my fated mate.”
His eyes widened, a mixture of disbelief and irritation flashing across his face. “You have a fated mate? And you’ve been sleeping with me all this time?”
“Don’t be insulted. I’m going to reject him, too. But it was nice knowing you. Thanks for all the orgasms while I waited for this day to arrive.”
Just as I turned to leave, I saw Jessica wobble on her legs and reposition her stance as she turned to glare at Jimmy.
“Oh, girl, it looks like our boy did the thing with his ring finger for you?”
Jessica’s ponytail swished toward me. She pursed her lips, shifted her weight, and then her mouth split into a huge grin. “Yeah, he did.”
“Next time, ask him to add his tongue.”
“Oh? Will do.” The ire left her gaze, and she gave me a nod of respect.
Meanwhile, Jimmy looked indignant. What did he expect being community dick? Girls talked. Why’d he think I bought a ticket to ride? It certainly wasn’t for his scintillating conversation. I had girlfriends for that.
Both girlfriends were off world right now. Tori was on Tartarus with her forever boy toy, just as happy as she could be. And Stella? She had found out she was royalty and was nowabout to marry the panther king’s right-hand man. She’d asked me to be her maid of honor. How could I say no?
No, really. I’m asking; how could I tell her that I didn’t want to do it? Not because I didn’t love her. I adored Stella. The problem was she was getting married in the one place I didn’t want to be: Panthera. Where my fated mate lived.
I’d known all my life that I was destined to marry the panther king. Between my Irish father, descended from the Leanan Sidhe court of the fae, and my West African mother from the Asiman fae court, I’d had my future confirmed twice over. But that didn’t mean I had to rush toward it anytime soon.
I’d been able to bide my time since there had been no portals to Panthera for decades after a crazed god lost his marbles and locked the whole world down. No ins or outs. That had meant I could play while my fated mate was safely tucked away. And then a few months ago, he came down to Earth.
I’d freaked out when word came that King Dion of Panthera had arrived at Blood and Beryl through a newly opened portal from his world. Thankfully, he’d stayed in Portland and soon left. He hadn’t come for me. Of course he hadn’t. Because he, too, was a fuck boy. The rumors of his prowess had made it from Panthera down here.
Well, I wasn’t one to run from a problem. I had my big girl panties on. I’d just get myself to the planet, reject him, and come back home.
I still had some time before my portal travel. And I had an invitation burning in my pocket. I’d been invited to the All Hallows Ball. I’d spend the night getting my kicks before going through the Crossroads Portal to turn down a crown.
I walked briskly down the dimly lit street, my heels clicking against the pavement, the cool night air brushing past. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the black envelope, its gold seal gleaming in the low light. The invitation, with its promise ofmystery and mayhem, had arrived earlier that day. I ran my eyes over the bold, glittering script that adorned it.
A night of mischief, magic, and mayhem awaits you.
You are cordially invited to the first All Hallows’ Eve Ball at Crossroads.
Arrive by the stroke of ten, dressed in your finest enchantments, or forfeit your place.
Masks are optional. Secrets are not.
I took a deep breath, feeling the crisp night air fill my lungs, and walked toward the light. This was where I belonged tonight.
I watched as a girl in a shimmering black ballgown raced out of the house and headed down the street. She looked familiar. Kasha, I think her name was? She was being trailed by a tall, dark drink of water in a gray dress shirt with blue eyes that cut through the dark of the night. He scanned the area as he dogged her steps. With the way his gaze didn’t leave her for long, I’d bet they were mates. Though, with the hurry she seemed to be in, I wondered if she was running from the bond.
You go, girl, I wanted to call out. Though it didn’t look like she was going to get far from the determined man chasing after her. I took note for the future when I plan to sidestep my fated mate. For now, I was going in to find a boy toy for the night.
