‘Tragedy struck in the early hours of Friday morning, as a beloved University of Gravestone student, Sam Thornberry, was fatally struck in a hit-and-run incident.
According to witnesses, Thornberry, a dedicated employee at the renowned Voodoo restaurant, was walking home after a shift when the accident occurred. The local authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their investigation into this devastating loss.
Thornberry’s friends and family remember him as a kind and hardworking individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.’
“I knew it,” Shem breathed next to me as we watched the news blip on the bar’s TV. “Poor bastard.”
I wanted to slap him right across the face for calling Sam a bastard. Sam deserved more respect. He was smart and kind and was just about to start a career saving lives. Until he met me… and I took all that way from him.
I was angry and anxious and feeling incredibly guilty when Reaver walked in. He glanced at the screen andsmirked.
“That’s the guy I’m covering for?” he asked Shem, turning his back to me to make it clear that I wasn’t invited to their conversation. My already skyrocketing blood pressure escalated.
“Yeah, he was kind of a tool, but still. A hit and run? That’s a shit way to go.”
Reaver saluted the screen, his hazel eyes shining. “Well, thanks for the job, asshole. See you in Hell.”
“You both aredisgusting!”I spat, storming away and heading back behind the bar to finish my opening duties. Shem looked a little guilty, but Reaver just looked like I had pissed all over his cornflakes.
Fuck him. He wanted to be a dick? Well, you can’t be a dick to someone who was ignoring the shit out of you. I was determined to just do my own thing tonight and pretend he wasn’t here at all.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that my plan was not going to work. The second he figured out I was ignoring him, he intentionally placed himself directly in my way every chance he got. If he knew I needed to grab a bottle of beer, I would find him leaning against the beer fridge, cruising his phone. If I was rushing to work through some drink chits, he would suddenly be hanging out at the service bar, flirting with the servers.
The final straw was when one of my regulars ordered a double of top-shelf scotch, and when I turned to grab the bottle, he was standing directly in front of it. It would have been difficult for me to reach as it was, considering my height. With him standing in my way, there was no way I would be able to get to it. I was forced to acknowledge him.
“Can you move, please? I need the Blue Label.”
He ignored me.
“Reaver, please move, I need to get the scotch to serve our guest.”
He glanced up from his phone, giving me an irritating little smirk. I snapped.
“Why don’tyouget it for him? You’re supposed to be handling the wood, and I’m supposed to be on service. I’ve been doing your job all night.”
That seemed to be the wrong thing to say. His annoyingly smug demeanor instantly flipped to violent and hostile.
“You like stealing other people’s jobs, don’t you?” he snarled, bending down and getting in my face. My mouth dropped open in shock.
“Excuse me?”What the hell was he talking about? I earned this job! I worked toward this for four whole years. He scoffed at me, his lip curling up in disgust. “Never mind. Get your fucking liquor. I don’t care.”
He turned to storm off, but I grabbed him by the arm, spinning him back around to face me. He looked down at my hand, and for a moment, I thought he was going to break one of my fingers.
I snatched my hand away, and the look on his face made me instantly regret touching him. I didn’t regret it the same way I regretted touching Sam. I wasn’tworried about my demon killing this man. The look in his eyes made me think the world might actually be better off if he were dead. He seemeddangerousand was glaring at melike he wanted to physically hurt me.
I backed away, and this time, he grabbed me. I squeaked. His fingers dug into my upper arms so hard I knew I was going to bruise.
He glared down at me, his face white with fury. “Oh no, you don’t get to run away now. You think you can put yourdisgustinglittle hands on me? Tell me, what was so fucking important you felt the need to soil a perfectly good shirt,Lilith.”
I stared at him, fear flooding through my entire body. The few early birds at the bar hadn’t seemed to notice that our interaction was hostile yet, and I wasn’t sure if I should call for help or not. It took a beat, but after a moment, I remembered who I was.
This jerk-off didnotknow who he was fucking with. I was the apple ofDeath’sfreaking eye. If Reaver thought he was the scariest thing I had come up against in my life, he was goddamneddelusional.
“Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” I hissed, low enough that the guests wouldn’t hear.
He leaned in close and put his lips against my ear. I got a whiff of frankincense and sandalwood. I made a face. He smelled like afuneral.
“Make. Me.” He breathed into my ear, his hot breath making me shiver in revulsion. Reflexively, I moved to knee him in the balls.
