It was a good name. A curvy name that fit her body. A soft name that felt right on my lips.
“Willow.”
There was no question whether I was going to visit her home. I didn’t need sleep, and I was so well fed I could easily maintain my mist form for days if I wanted to.
One thing was certain: Willow needed to be guarded.
I folded the bill and tucked it in my pocket. I’d make sure it was paid. I had plenty of money and few expenses. Before now, money was something I used to help blend in with thepopulation that fed me. Now I could see another use; providing Willow with all the comforts and shiny things humans liked.
First came finding her and watching over her. After all, nighttime was often the most dangerous. I should know.
Using my mist form, I rose above the city and followed familiar roads to Willow’s building. I had an encyclopedic knowledge of San Diego. I moved here with several of my brothers a hundred and fifty years ago. I was present when most of the roads were built. I watched the city grow into the thriving metropolis it was now.
One of my brothers and I had talked of moving to a different city. I’m thankful we didn’t, or I wouldn’t have found Willow.
Light evening traffic flowed under me as I floated over homes, parks, and businesses. It didn’t take me long to arrive. Her building was run down and old, like many in the area. It was three stories and open at the front like a motel. I circled the building and found a window on the opposite wall from the front door.
I could go through solid walls, but glass was easier. I pushed through the window into a small galley kitchen. I was so excited to see her again that I almost re-formed. I’d already scared her enough today; I had to stay hidden.
For now, I would gather information and guard. I was desperate to know everything about Willow. What did she like to eat? What were her favorite colors? Did she like to read? I needed to know every detail. I was old enough to know knowledge was power, and I craved power over this human.
I flattened myself along the room’s ceiling, settling in to observe. She was sitting at a miniscule table with a glass of water in one hand and a mixed drink in the other. Her hair was tied up in a towel, wet strands dangling down and creating damp patches on the bulky robe she was wearing. She must’ve showered the moment she got home.
Was that a normal behavior or had she felt the need to clean herself because I’d touched her?
Then I noticed something peeking out from under the robe. It was my sweatshirt! She’d showered, then put my sweatshirt back on!
I was elated. This had to be a good sign.
There was another woman in the room, fixing a second mixed drink and talking rapidly as she expertly poured from several bottles.
“I can’t believe you! You know that neighborhood isn’t great. How many times do I have to tell you to leave before seven? It’s eleven at night, what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking I had to get the quarterly taxes done,” Willow said, her tone grumpy. “Tonight has already been rough enough. I don’t need a lecture on top of it, Jina.”
I tensed. Was this Jina person being mean to Willow? Did I need to make her disappear? I could probably manage to eat one more time tonight, and she wasn’t a very big woman.
Although she didn’t smell of any kind of cruelty or violence, which meant she’d taste bland.
“Then you bring all the tax stuff home and do it here, where it’s safe,” Jina said, sitting down at the table and taking a sip of her drink. “Damn, I make a good margarita!”
“I wanted a beer,” Willow grumbled.
“We’re out of beer so you get a perfectly crafted cocktail,” Jina retorted. “And I’ll lecture you until you remember to either leave the shop at a reasonable hour or call one of us to hang out with you. Willow, you’re gambling with your safety, and that scares me.”
Okay, I wouldn’t be eating Jina. She was good for Willow.
“I’ve never had an issue before,” Willow said. She was trying to sound brave, but there was a quaver in her voice. She was still upset. I could smell it.
I wish I could’ve spared her.
“But tonight was different,” Jina said. “Now finish telling me what happened after the guys showed up while you were trying to lock the door.”
Willow took a long swallow of her water before putting it down. She didn’t drink the margarita, only fiddled with the hard, plastic straw.
“You won’t believe the next part,” she said. “I’m not sure I believe it happened.”
Jina sat forward and set an elbow on the table. It wobbled a little, but she ignored it as she rested her chin in her hand.
