“Hmm. I don’t see how that’s any of your business, pay the fee or fuck off.”
I bite my wrist, a goblet floats in the air, ready to collect my blood. When she’s satisfied with the amount, she dips her wand into my blood before bringing it to her mouth.
The result is instantaneous as her head flings back, her eyes going white for a long moment, and she takes a deep inhale. She’s back to normal quickly, a small cackle leaving her lips as she shakes her head.
“I’d heard the rumors that vampires could have mates, but I didn’t think them true. I always assumed you all fucked and ravaged, never forming true bonds beyond perhaps your sire,” she says.
Her hand picks up a glass of liquor and I wonder if it’s something we imported for the fair. She holds it up and inspects the glass.
“You know you’ll need to find a new business with prohibition being lifted.”
“What were you saying about mates?” I ask, leaning forward. I’ve never loved anyone besides my ma. The concept sounds unbelievable.
“Some more gin and I’ll tell you.”
“Whatever you want,” I reply.
She smirks and I wonder if she’s fucking with me, if I’m just another fool sliding into her tent and she tells them what they want to hear.
“It’s more common with wolves, a person who is destined to be theirs, a fate you can not outrun. You could have feelings for another, but nothing as strong as your mate. They are perfect for you in every way. The wolves are born with this knowledge, but it seems it’s become less common with vampires, maybe it has to do with the growing population or perhaps tension within the supernatural community. You’re rather hated, you know?”
“Well aware,” I say sharply.
She smirks, lighting a new cigarette. “A blood mate is another supernatural destined for you. Their blood will call to you like no other and your blood will affect them exponentially. It will heal them faster, ruffle their desire for you. Just as their blood calls to you, the same to them.”
“And you see one in my future?” I urge.
“Hmm. Unsure. I think more money would help.”
I throw down all the money in my wallet on the table, and she nods happily.
“She is magical, fire, sugar, and flowers. Though it’s uncertain that she will ever be yours, only that she is your blood mate, you’ll have a very long road ahead of you to make that happen.”
“When will I meet her? Soon? Where? What does she look like?”
She takes a deep inhale, her head flaring back again. Her heart rate is skyrocketing, and her breathing is heavy when she looks back up at me. Her face is resolved, saddened but resolved.
“I will tell you her name, but in return I need you to make an unbreakable vow to me,” she says, her eyes watering as she takes a shaky inhale of her cigarette and downs the rest of her liquor.
“What vow?”
“Here I thought someone robbing me for my ring was a good enough reason to not wear it today. Lot’s of unsavory types in the city at a fair so big. I should have known better.” She laughs with a sarcastic sigh.
“I need you to preserve my grimoires, save them for your blood mate, but do not destroy them. And you must promise that you won’t let your sire seek retribution against my coven.”
My brows furrow as I look at the witch.
“Vow it,” she says with a trembling voice, holding out her hand.
I take her hand in mine and nod. “I vow it.”
“They’re in the Greyhound bus, fifth seat back.”
“Why do I need to preserve anything? What’s her name?”
“Because I let a fucking vampire into my tent. Her name’s Em?—”
Before she can finish her sentence, Oz is behind her, his teeth in her throat before he snaps her neck. Her blood is dripping down his chin, covering his white shirt as he drops her body on the floor with a thud.
