Chapter 1
No one went to Haven without a reason.
The reason might be refuge. It might be camaraderie. It might even be a desperate shot in the dark. However, Haven wasn’t the sort of place one just wandered into.
The arrival was intentional.
And tonight, I was clutching onto a shot in the dark with all my might.
The neon lights illuminated the sign from the classic chrome exterior, Haven Diner in the bright yellows and greens. Haven sat at the end of the block, an iconic spot in Peregrine City. Whether you were vamp or human, witch or demon, it didn’t matter here. Haven was protected. The spells in place leveled the playing field, providing a no man’s land in a city full of chaos.
Sweat prickled my palms as I approached. What the hell was a nobody like me doing here? This was way outside my pay grade. I was equipped to handle patrons’ questions and categorizestacks of books, not to engage in illicit meetings at Haven. Yet this was my only option.
Dad had been missing for days now.
I ran my hand through my hair, but that mussed up the strands, and my footsteps echoed with aboom,boom,boom, like the tolling of a bell. Maybe I was a little too sheltered. This shouldn’t be such a nerve-inducing thing. Just a meeting at Haven.TheHaven.
Granted, growing up in the suburbs of Peregrine City, the mesh of monsters and humans wasn’t as common as it was here. When Dad had first moved us to the city five years ago, I’d gawked at all the different types of monsters and magic users that walked along the crowded streets. I’d been thrilled. I’d read stories of monsters and fantastical creatures for years, only ever getting an occasional glimpse.
The air held a hint of decay, but whether from the denizens of the streets or the leaves underfoot was a mystery. I tugged at the strap of my messenger bag, which was laden with a handful of books I was working through. Not that I needed them for this meeting, but I’d brought them anyway as emotional support.
I walked up the path to Haven Diner, the burnt-sugar smell that lingered in certain spaces of the city heavy with magic users tickling my nose. The chrome exterior gleamed under the surrounding streetlights, and the sense of danger the night brought put me even more on edge. My hand settled on the cool handle of the door, and I summoned my nerve.
I needed answers, and this was the place to get them.
When I stepped inside, the cozy interior struck me first. Despite some neon glow accents, the lights were a soft yellow and hung interspersed throughout the different booths, all dark-green vinyl with purple stripes. The floor was a checkerboard black and white, and the beige walls were likeparchment paper, which fit perfectly with the purple velvet curtains.
A short woman stood at the host stand, her brunette hair pulled back into a neat plait. She had a guarded air to her rather than a welcoming one, but that fit my expectations of the place.
“By yourself?” she asked, grabbing a menu.
I licked my lips. I was early, so I knew my contact hadn’t arrived yet. “I’m meeting someone, so I’ll snag us a seat now.”
“Sounds good,” she said as she grabbed another menu. “Follow me.”
Her footsteps didn’t make a sound as we headed over to an open booth in the back, and curiosity filtered through me. Something about her broadcast danger and alertness, and I had the feeling she wasn’t a garden-variety human like me. Humanoid didn’t mean human, which was something I’d learned at an early age when my best friend in grade school started spurting flames. His family had moved from the burbs shortly after that, heading to the city.
I settled into the vinyl booth, which was surprisingly comfortable. The scent of spice lingered in the air—cinnamon and nutmeg, like bottled fall.
“What can I get you to drink?” she asked, her hand on her hip.
I licked my lips. Right, I needed to order something instead of just looking sketchy. “Coffee, please. If you’ve got a strong one, that’s my preference.”
“Got you covered,” she said. “First time visiting here?”
“How could you tell?” I wrinkled my nose. Apparently I was as subtle as a sledgehammer.
“The whole doe-eyed look.” She smirked. “I’ll be right back with that tea.”
I withheld my groan and instead took the time to look around. As much as I interacted with all walks of life now at the library, there was a higher cluster of supernaturals in Haven due to thenature of the place. A horned satyr sat with a human in the other booth, engaged in an in-depth chat over pancakes, and a few down from them was a cecaelia, their purple tentacles spilling out of the side of the booth as they flipped through the menu.
Dad had left me a number to call in case I needed help. Sure, he hadn’t explained who the guy was, just that his name was Murray and he was a catch-all when it came to information. Considering Dad worked as an accountant, I wasn’t sure why he’d need a contact like that, but I guess it was good he had one because I was utilizing it now.
The server swung over with a piping hot mug, the steam wafting from the top. “Here you go. Let me know if you need me.” The look she shot me implied that she thought the help would be necessary. I wasn’t sure if it was a promise or pity, but I appreciated it either way.
I took a sip from the steaming liquid, enjoying the way it slid down my throat, even if my nerves simmered. Maybe I could pull out one of my emotional support novels and pretend I was sitting here reading a book and grabbing tea, not waiting for a random contact to show.
Before I could take my book out, the door swung open again, drawing my attention. An older creature strode in, at least half my height and humanoid despite the forked tail and claws. An imp. He had the wizened, bushy eyebrows you’d expect on a grandfather, as well as wrinkles lining his features. His dark gaze landed on me, and his lips slid into a smile.
