“You seem upset. Are you okay?”
Mercedes softened, seeing how glowingly happy Pearl seemed. She also felt a bit sheepish being caught contemplating her escape.
“I’m fine. How did you know I was going somewhere?” Mercedes asked. “All I did was set down my cup.”
Pearl’s expressive violet eyes narrowed in an expression ofcome onand she crossed her arms. “We’ve known each other for a couple of years now. I know when you’re getting ready to bolt.”
Mercedes relaxed. “Sorry, I just got in my head a bit.”
“Magnus?” Pearl whispered under her breath.
“I went on a date with him the other night.”
Pearl’s eyes widened. “Well, I did figure something like that happened. I just didn’t think you were the revenge date.”
“He actually told you about his revenge date?”
“He told anyone who would listen.”
“I don’t even know what a revenge date is!” Mercedes shook her head. “He’s cute, but man, for someone who has been on the earth for a thousand years, he hasn’t worked out his issues.”
Then again, she hadn’t really either. Who really had their stuff figured out?
Certainly not her.
Her life was definitely far from perfect. She was about to be evicted for an explosion that, for once, wasnother fault, she and her family weren’t speaking, and she didn’t have a job. And the guy who she thought would be Mr. Right thought she was Ms. Wrong.
Of course, she was trying to forget all of that by coming to Pearl’s going-away party. It made her a little sad that Pearl was leaving Harmony Glen and going off to the city. Although she was thrilled for Pearl to live out her dream.
Mercedes wasn’t even sure she really had a dream. All she wanted was a quiet life where she could live in peace.
“You’re sad again,” Pearl said softly, slipping an arm around her.
“I sometimes hate that you’re so empathetic.” Mercedes sighed sadly and leaned into her friend. “I’m glad you’re finally going to live out your dream.”
“You still living in that dive in Tallowfield?”
“For now.” She had thirty days to leave, only she didn’t tell Pearl that.
“Why don’t you stay with my mom at the bait shop? She’s going be lonely. You know she’s a witch too, so that won’t freak her out.”
“She’s a good witch and I’m…”From a line of horrible harridans that cursed me and others, who profit off of suffering.“I’m not particularly talented.”
“Mom loves you, Mercedes. You can stay with her, help her out and maybe find a job in town. Please?” Pearl batted her big, beautiful silverly lashes and Mercedes sighed.
“Fine, but I want to make sure I pay your mother something.”
Pearl grinned. “You know she won’t take anything for room and board.”
“I don’t care. I’m going to do it anyways.”
“Mom will be thrilled,” Pearl squealed. “And when I come back for holidays and learning breaks, we can have sleepovers.”
Mercedes laughed, but inside she was excited just a bit. It might be nice to not be alone and be with people who actually cared for her. To have someone to come home to every night. And she adored Pearl’s mom.
“Excuse me.”
Mercedes spun around. The spitting image of Magnus was standing in front of her, only she knew it wasn’t him. His hair was styled a bit different. Magnus wore his white hair long, braided usually. This ghoul’s white hair was shaved close on the side. He had a runic tattoo etched into the side of his head. The white hair on top was short, but there was a small braid in the back. His beard was smaller than Magnus’ and well groomed. Also, his red eyes seemed filled with remorse and not absolute loathing. Another dead giveaway this ghoul wasn’t Magnus.
