“Any questions?” Bastian asked.
“Why?” I propped myself up on shaky elbows, still adjusting to this body that was somehow familiar and strange at the same time. Bastian’s gaze held mine and he didn’t look away, didn’t falter under the weight of my question.
“Because I saw your desperation to live,” Bastian began, a thread of solemnity woven through his tone. “And because seeing someone put themselves in harm’s way for others, down to the bitter end… You don’t see that kind of character in very many people, that loyalty.”
His statement hung in the air, heavy with the truth of it. I turned my head slightly, catching Thorne’s eye, and I saw my turmoil reflected back at me. We’d faced death together, and now… now we were bound by something far greater than either of us could have ever imagined.
“Thank you,” I said, the words barely more than a whisper.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Bastian replied, a shadow of a smile touching his lips. “Eternity is a long time.”
“We are in your debt…” I said, the words trailing off as I grappled with the weight of what was happening. It wasn’t just a debt of gratitude, but a debt of existence itself.
“I’ll go get you both more to eat. You’re welcome to anything here. Get comfortable, and welcome home,” he said as he stood and left.
1
Serina
Agoodmonsterhuntalways started with a stale beer, saucy wings, and fries from a random dive bar in the middle of nowhere. Dad always said it loosened the tension before going on a hunt that you weren’t sure you’d come back from.
It had become a tradition, and I couldn’t deny that it was something that always brought a smile to my face.
I wasn’t sure if it was the wings or the anticipation of the kill that I knew I would get that did it for me, but I assumed the latter. The wings were like an appetizer for what I was truly wanting.
The kill.
“This is yall’s third trip here this month. Are you guys moving into town? I haven’t seen you around here,” Tammy, our waitress, said with a southern twang as she eyed my father with herfuck meeyes, sliding us our beers on the table.
I grinned in his direction over the rim of my glass as I took a drink, and he shook his head ruefully as he shifted his gaze to Tammy.
“No, we’re just here on some more business. It’s been busy lately,” Dad replied as he grabbed his beer to take a long swig.
“What kinda business?” Tammy said, fluttering her long lashes.
He eyed her. “It’s top secret, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.”
“Good, I’d love to see more of you.” Her statement lingered with a want for more as her eyes swooped down his body real quick before coming back up to his face, and he gave her a side smile.
I shifted my gaze to around the dive bar, giving the woman hermoment. Or what she thought was her moment.
The weathered and worn rustic aesthetic blended with a cozy, laid-back atmosphere. Mismatched tables and chairs filled the open floor plan, giving the impression that each piece was carefully chosen over time. It reminded me of Mickey’s, but Mickey’s had more character and was more put together.
Stools with cracked leather seats lined the bar. The bartender, seasoned and friendly, moved effortlessly behind the counter, engaging in casual banter with patrons until he saw Tammy.
“Tammy! Quit’cher flirtin’ and get back to work!” the man called from behind the bar, and Tammy rolled her eyes but left my dad with a glittery smile before turning back to go to work.
I had to admit my old man was a good-looking guy: 6’3, had a dad bod but was muscle-riddled underneath it all, he was covered in tattoos, and he had groomed salt and pepper stubble that only added a sharper edge to his bright blue eyes. He had messy slicked-back black hair with a few grays there too, but there was always a thick unruly piece that fell over his brow. What more could any woman ask for?
I watched him run a thumb over his ring finger, the thick gold band still gleaming there. I hadn’t seen my dad look at another woman even remotely close to the way he looked at my mom. Regardless of his returning smiles and gestures, I could see the sadness still lingering in his eyes from when we lost her.
My dad huffed as he went for some fries in the large basket sitting between us. “What?” he said over the food in his mouth as I eyed him.
“Soooo, you and Tammy, huh?” I jested, and he rolled his eyes.
He sighed. “You and I both know there was only one woman for me, baby.”
“Oh, come on, I think you could have some fun. We don’t get to have fun very often. And I know Mom wouldn’t want you sulking forever; she hated that,” I reminded him, and he grunted as he went for another small bundle of fries and I did the same.
