They sound just like the pair Raegan was wearing last night. “Did you let Raegan borrow them?”
Simone’s eyes widen then close. “Damn. I totally forgot.” She taps a finger against her temple. “I’ll try to remember to ask for them back when I see her.”
As she’s walking back toward the front door, there’s a smallpopsound, and Simone lets out a scream! We all freeze, having no idea what just happened, but then Simone turns around. She reaches to the top of her head nervously, seemingly afraid of what she’ll find, and her fingers close around a pair of chunky black sunglasses, just like the ones I remember Raegan wearing last night.
Simone is speechless as she stares at them, completely shocked and a little fearful.
“Ummm,” Jamie starts, “did you just do that?”
Neither I nor Simone can say anything. I certainly had no clue Simone had magic, but from the way she’s still staring at those glasses, I don’t think she did either.
Jamie, on the other hand, can’t stop asking questions. “Layton never mentioned anything about having magic wielders in the family. Is this the first time you’ve used magic? Holy shit, did your magic manifest late?” He’s got one hand pressed tohis forehead as he paces on the spot. “You’re twenty-five, right? Wow, that’s really late.”
“Jamie!” Simone and I both shout his name.
She finally looks to have come out of the daze she was in. “Those are literally the same questions I just asked myself, so I don’t have any answers for you.” She shoves the sunglasses into her pocket as if hiding them will hide what she just did. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Wait,” Jamie rushes to catch her at the door, but she’s already gone.
I look at Jamie who’s still delightedly surprised. “That was awesome!” he says, turning back to me. “I’ve never seen magic in person before. I mean, not like,rightin front of me.”
I take a sip of my latte and try to process what just happened. “Does Raegan’s family not perform magic in front of you?”
“Not on purpose,” he admits. “I don’t think there’s ever been a need for it.” His face falls slightly. “Besides, we don’t visit them often. Rae can’t stand the coven.”
I nod in sympathy. I don’t understand exactly what drives Raegan away from her mother, but I know family can be complicated.
Jamie’s eyes go wide with realization. “The coven probably doesn’t know about her. If they find out, they’re going to scoop her up.” He shakes his head. “Raegan will hate this.”
I don’t involve myself with the politics of other paranormals. I just hope this new discovery doesn’t stir up trouble. I already have enough on my mind.
“See you in two weeks, honey,”Brenda calls over her shoulder as she leaves Monday evening.
My donor was feeling extra chatty tonight and lingered a bit longer than usual, even after I paid her. I wouldn’t mindindulging Brenda’s small talk on any other night, but I want her to get a move on before Joanna arrives.
I’m not trying to hide my donor’s existence, seeing as Joanna already knows about her, I just don’t get the sense that Jo would be happy to see her. I saw her repulsion when I told her about the animal blood, but she also didn’t look too keen on my supplementing with Brenda. I’m not sure how much thought she’s put into what I am versus the human part of me she sees, but it’s getting harder for me to hide it from her.
I’ve tried my best to keep my vampiric-self separate from Joanna, but my desire for her scent is starting to blur the lines for me. Drinking blood and sexual intimacy are not mutually exclusive, but they do go hand in hand—that’s why it’s best that I drink from someone I have no attraction to or history with, helping me to not overindulge. But now, with how far Joanna and I have pushed our sexual relationship, I fear I’m teetering on the edge of something dangerous.
Each time I’m with her, I grow more and more desperate for her blood. Her scent has penetrated my entire house, and I’m starting to have trouble sleeping. But I don’t want to have her anywhere else—I want her here, in my home, where I don’t have to share her with anyone else. It makes me feel like a monster, but when I’m around her, my basic instincts take over.
I’m not sure how long I can continue to keep that part of myself from her, but right now my biggest fear is scaring her away, so I bottle it up and put it away.
I peer out the window to see Brenda pulling out of the movie theater parking lot, and not a moment later, headlights turn in.
Maybe Joanna will think it’s someone leaving the theater, but the rest of the parking lot is empty, and the sign is turned off.
I wait inside the threshold of my open door, watching Joanna as she steps out of her car. She doesn’t acknowledge the woman that just left in the other car. Instead, she steps past me anddrops her bag on the floor of the den like nothing out of the ordinary.
I close the front door and follow her. She’s already seated herself on the couch. She bends to remove her shoes and bluntly asks, “So, who was the woman?”
Her tone is so casual—not a hint of anger or agitation—but it’s the quiet attacks that are the most deadly.
I don’t lie. “That was Brenda. My donor.”
Joannahumphsdecidedly.
I eye her hesitantly. “No further questions?”
