I’ve kept this secret my entire life, and I’m exhausted. I’m tired of hiding behind a fake surname so no one would find out I come from a family of monster hunters. I’ve always gone by Farrah Lorraine—my mother’s maiden name—instead of Farrah O’Hern.
But telling Evangeline I’ve been lying to her this whole time?
I’ll do it eventually. Soon. I hope. I just have to find the courage. I have to prepare myself for the chance that I could lose her.
I’m cuddling with Potato on the couch, binge watching a medical drama on TV, when there’s a knock at the door.
Fuck yeah. My pizza is here.
But instead of a delivery person holding a pepperoni pie on the other side of the threshold, it’s my bestie… and the gargoyle king.
“Oh! Hi.” I glance down and frown at my stained pajama top and hole-littered sweatpants. “I… wasn’t expecting anyone.”
I open the door all the way and step back for them to come inside.
“Your hair!” Evangeline says and scoops me into her arms.
The hug is nearly suffocating, but I melt into my best friend’s embrace.
When she lets me go, I take a strand between my fingers and twirl it, smiling. My cheeks burn because I forgot to tell her I was going blonde.
“It was time for a change,” I say.
“I love it,” Evangeline says, taking the piece out of my grasp and giving it a twirl of her own.
“Yes,” Xander adds. “It’s very nice.”
I clear my throat, not sure how to respond to a compliment from a gargoyle king. “Please, come in. Let me just freshen up. Potato will keep you company.”
My attention-loving cat in all his tuxedo glory appears with a loud meow, walking right over to the gargoyle.
Xander does that adorable baby speak one does when greeting a cat.
Evangeline’s cat, Birdie, has been living with her mom in the suburbs for the past year. Her mom neededcompanionship, and while she said it was a difficult decision to make, she knew it was the right one. Though Evangeline told me she still visits Birdie two to three times a week.
When I return to the living room after putting on a tank and jeans, Evangeline sits on the couch with Xander next to her. Potato is lying upside down on his meaty thighs—he appears human right now, and he’s just as massive and full of muscles as his monster form. Xander’s human form doesn’t flicker as much as Locheran’s, but I’ve seen enough to know that Xander’s skin is a lighter shade of purple, and his hair is dark blue, almost appearing black.
“Do either of you want something to drink? I have water, coffee, wine… vodka.”
“We’re good,” Evangeline says. “Actually, we’re here to talk to you about something.”
Thankfully I’m in the kitchen, my back to them, because I’m confident the color has drained from my face.
Do they know? Did they somehow find out about my family?
“No need to be nervous,” Xander says, amused.
Right.
Supernatural hearing.
My fast heartbeatgives me away.
Wait.
Why’d he say that? He’s supposed to appear human right now with human hearing.
Evangeline hisses his name, followed by a whack.
