The sky is a clear blue dotted with fluffy white clouds, and I find myself walking a little slower so I can really absorb my new surroundings. Not having to rush everywhere will take some getting used to, but the leisurely stroll to the town square is the perfect introduction to Crystal Lake. A group of about ten people traipses past me, and I do a double-take. Wow, the LARPing community here is no joke. I marvel in fascination at how realistic their wings and horns look. It’s not my thing, but I can appreciate the craftsmanship that must have gone into theiraccessories. The leathery wings on one guy’s back even have some kind of motor in them to make them flutter.
When I reach the square, it quickly becomes clear that the businesses lining it are mostly bars, coffee shops, and restaurants—no sign of a corner shop or anything close. “Excuse me,” I say, and the curvy woman with seaweed-green hair and a hoop through one of her matching green eyebrows walking by pauses next to me. “I’m new in town. Would you mind telling me where the supermarket is?”
“Sure,” she answers brightly. “Did you get a town map?”
“Uh, yeah.” I fish the map out of my back pocket and unfold it. She pulls a glittery pen from her handbag, uncapping it with her teeth, moving her hand in a ‘gimmie’ gesture. I pass her the map and she marks a couple of nearby places with a small silver star.
“Here.” She shows me the map, using the pen as a pointer. “This is the supermarket. You’ll find most things you need in there. If you want fresh bread or other baked goods, go to Sweet Dreams bakery—they’re the best.” She looks me up and down. “You don’t read like you need anything specialised. Do you?”
Not sure what that’s meant to mean. How can someone look like they have food allergies? “No, I can eat whatever.”
“Cool.” Her shoulders bob, then she passes the map back to me. “Here you go. Welcome to Crystal Lake…”
“Jared,” I say, holding out my hand.
“Raine.” She gives my hand a quick shake. “Are you the new reporter?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
She chuckles. “Small town. Get used to people knowing who you are.”
OK then. I thank her again, then head in the direction of the supermarket marked on my map. I can’t believe the first person I came across actually helped me. It seems that what they sayabout people in small towns being friendly is true. So far, my new life is off to a pretty strong start. Corbin was wrong about my moving here being a mistake. This little town, where people leave keys under mats and know their neighbours, is exactly what I need right now.
Chapter 7
Selene
“No, that can’t be right.” I frown at my usually sensible best friend, waiting for her to admit she’s pulling my leg.
“I’m serious,” Cordelia says, leaning forward over the small metal table between us. “Kendra filed the new employee paperwork with the mayor last week.” Her red-painted lips pull into a salacious grin. “The new reporter is single, and young like us—not some ancient curmudgeon who thinks they should be able to land whoever they want just because they’re loaded.”
I nearly spit out my coffee. “Isn’t most of your client base made up of older folks with deep pockets?”
“No.” She sniffs. “Fated Match doesn’t discriminate. We welcome clients of all backgrounds, and our lower tier packages are some of the most affordable out there. You know some clients actuallymoveto Crystal Lake just to work with me, right?”
“Save me the sales pitch, I beg you.” Cordelia has been after me to sign up for her matchmaking service since the day we met, but I’m not interested. Don’t get me wrong, I think the work she does is important. It’s wonderful so many people find their true love, or loves, through her company, Fated Match, but I’d ratherleave finding my soulmate up to, well,fate. Not a magically superpowered database run by one of my closest friends.
My attitude rolls right off her. “One of these days you’ll let me work my magic on you.”
“Sure.” I roll my eyes and take another pull of my mocha.
“Who knows, maybe our newest resident will get your attention. Stars know the rest of the poor souls around here haven’t had any luck.”
I give her a flat stare. So what if I’ve not dated for a while? I wouldn’t be the first supernatural to decide to wait for their fated—admittedly, a string of bad dates quickly followed by a migraine after a particularly powerful vision helped lead me to that decision, but my point stands.
“Fine, be that way.” She huffs, tossing her glossy red hair over her shoulder.
“What’s Selene done now?” Dove asks, with a grin, taking the third seat at our usual table. I roll my eyes. Between the two of us, she knows Cordelia is far more likely to be the one causing trouble.
“Refusing to let me help her find the love of her life,” Cordelia replies dramatically before cracking up with an undignified snort of laughter.
“Nothing new then.” Dove shoots me a conspiratorial grin. She’s also been reluctant to sign up for Fated Match’s service. We both value our friendship with Cordelia too much to muddy the waters by hiring her to help us find love. She’d put way too much pressure on herself—beneath the tough shell of her vibrant personality, she’s actually very sensitive. We know Cordelia would be devastated if she couldn’t find us a match right away. It’s better to keep business and friendship separate. Well, mostly. The three of us still hang out here at Dove’s bakery, Sweet Dreams, a few mornings a week—her coffee and cakes are the best in town.
“Sorry I kept you waiting. I don’t know why we’re so busy this morning.” Dove tugs at the end of her pale blonde plait, and I notice the rosy flush to her usually pale-peach complexion that’s come from rushing around behind the counter.
“Don’t worry about it,” I reassure her.
At the same time, Cordelia says, “Well, I do.” We both look at her in confusion, and she throws up her manicured hands in frustration. “The new resident.” Still confused, I turn to Dove. She shrugs, and Cordelia releases a long-suffering sigh. “Thesinglenew resident.”Oh.
