“An appointment. What else?” She turned away and joined me in the booth against the middle wall. “How’s your stomach?”
I stirred my chicken soup.Why the hell did I have to drink so much?My stomach hurt, and there was nothing I could do but wait it out. “I’m never drinking again.”
She lifted the tea bag from her cup and set it on a napkin. “That’s what they all say. And quit overthinking his comment. Even if he meant it, he’s not a bad-looking guy. Not my type at all, but you two might have fun together.”
“Too old?”
She sipped her tea. “I couldn’t date a man who’s so used to seeing dead bodies that it doesn’t rouse any kind of emotion out of him.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Even Shepherd got emotional, and he barely ever cracks a smile.”
I wondered if Gem noticed I shared the same trait as Glass. I felt terrible seeing a woman murdered, but not enough to look away or shed a tear. It made me wonder if I was missing some essential component that normal people had.
Christian strode into the room. “What are you two whispering about?” He sat beside me, forcing me to scoot over on the bench to make room.
Gem gave me an impish grin. “We’re just talking about herdate.”
“Is that so?” he said, lifting the spoon out of my soup bowl to have a taste. “And who’s the lucky fella?”
“Detective Glass.”
Christian choked on the soup and went into a coughing fit. “When did all this happen?”
I shook my head at Gem, who was trying in vain to conceal her smile. “Maybe you shouldn’t have left the crime scene so fast. Someone could have walked up on us, and you wouldn’t have been around to scrub their memory.”
“Your good detective said the cleaners were on the way, and they usually bring along a Vampire.” He shoved the soup bowl in front of me. “Since when do you take a fancy to Chitahs?”
I couldn’t help but notice the disdain in his voice even though he was trying to appear casual. “Is it so difficult to believe that a man is interested in me? And don’t be so judgmental about interbreeding. None of the women I’ve seen you with were Vampires.”
He nodded, scratching his chin in thought. Then a smile played on his lips. “Perhaps we should double-date.”
As he turned to catch my reaction, I felt my stomach do a flip-flop. Glass probably hadn’t meant anything by the remark, but now I worried that Christian might mention it to Viktor, and something told me my boss wouldn’t approve. I decided this would be a good opportunity to see if Christian was the kind of partner who went around sharing my business with other people.
He stood up to leave and gave me an uncomfortably long look. “Ladies,” he said, inclining his head.
Once Christian left the room, I resumed eating my soup. “Do you ever go out on dates?”
Gem tilted her head to the side, her voice soft. “Men aren’t interested in short girls with violet eyes. They want long legs, large breasts, and a face that’ll launch a thousand ships. That’s why I’m always striking out whenever Blue’s around. Isn’t that funny? She doesn’t want them, and they don’t want me. Nobody goes home happy.” Gem giggled and stared down at her cup.
That seemed odd. “You’re a Mage,” I pointed out. “There aren’t as many Mage women as men.”
She sipped her tea and set down the cup. “True.” She cupped her hand around her mouth. “I don’t like to flare in public.”
I raised my brows. “So you don’t tell men you’re a Mage?”
She shrugged. “If they ask. But most never get far enough in conversation to ask. Think about it, Raven. They only like us because we can bind energy with them. I’ve spent my life fighting men who wanted me for the wrong reasons. I just want a man to come up to me because he thinks I’m interesting, not because he knows I’m a Mage and wants to juice me up or bind with my light.”
“So you’re telling me you never go out with men? Not even Claude? He seems to like you.”
“Claude likes all women. He’s a Chitah. Blue’s not as demonstrative as I am, so that’s why Claude and I look chummy. Don’t be surprised if he starts showing you affection. Claude’s a beautiful soul, and I hope someday he finds his kindred spirit. Viktor had a sense of humor in pairing us up,” she said, leaning back against the bench. “Claude eclipses me, and walking next to him, I look more like his illegitimate daughter.” She smiled for a moment, her inky-black lashes fanning down. “I’ve gone on a few dates, but the only ones who ask me out are desperate or immature. I guess they see the way I dress and think I’m a girl who just likes to have fun—and I am. But that’s not all there is to me.”
I set my spoon down. “What is it you’re looking for?”
She leaned forward with a fragile smile. “I want a man who looks at me as if no other woman matters. I won’t settle for anything less, and that’s why I’ll remain eternally single. We’re all searching for someone who doesn’t exist.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve got confidence, personality, and a unique look. You’re not pretending to be someone you’re not. If you want to settle down, you will. If not, then just have fun. I’ve heard most immortals aren’t looking for marriage anyhow.” I stirred my spoon in the bowl. “Just imagine living with someone for thousands of years.Thousands.”
“Not if he’s a Shifter or someone with a shorter lifespan.” She swung the crystal pendant hanging from her neck. “Alas, most of them don’t want anything to do with a Mage. Anyhow, I’m just teasing. I can’t imagine leaving Keystone to become someone’s bride. Jobs like ours are hard to come by, especially with all the perks we’ve got. Namely the swimming pool. Plus I’m good at what I do, and I wouldn’t give this up for anything. What about you?”
“I don’t date.”
