Family business?Katarina furrowed her brow.There’s no way…Jessie? The adorably goofy minotaur?He got flustered just because she stumbled on him changing. He was a softie.Well, this morning he wasn’t exactly soft—whoa, calm down, hungry-hungry-succubus, no touchy.Katarina’s gut told her that Jessie was a good person. Maybe a little immature at times, and probably a tad bittoo flirty for his own good.Seeing as he was a few batted lashes away from getting snacked on.But she knew bad company and Jessie wasn’t one of them. Nikolai either.
But am I really the best judge of character?Would she even be able to tell? Would she even know?
“Thanks for the heads up,” she offered Aravis a polite smile before climbing to her feet, “I’ll be careful.”
“Good to hear. And, if Gillian Hurley ever darkens your door, do not hesitate to reach out.” Aravis stood, offering her a hand to shake. She gave it a strong squeeze and shake, but she didn’t stick around. The longer she was in the building, the closer she was to Gill. Aravis promised her 30 days, but who knew how good that word was.I need to work like he could get out tomorrow.Survival instincts were never her strong suit, but she wasn’t about to let that stop her from protecting them. Isabella and Katarina Witchbane were going to get out of this alive.
Even if that means getting out of dodge.
“Thanksforlettingmeuse the car,” Katarina exhaled heavily as Sera dropped them off at the townhouse. The lights were on inside, meaning she didn’t have to backtrack to the shop. The succubus sat back in the seat, glancing over the arm at the car seat in the back. Isabella was fully focused on the mini whiteboard. She’d gotten a handful of markers and was going to town on some masterpiece.
“Of course, babe, you know I’ve got you.” Sera flashed a toothy grin at Katarina. Her best friend was a blond-haired, golden-eyed, gnomish woman. She had that fashionable side shave on her head where she used her art degree to paint new designs with hair dye every month. Sera sat on a booster with the little foot pedal stilts, all in matching cheetah print like the rest of her car. A pair of purple dice dangled from her rearview thatsmelled of strawberry shortcake. All a part of the many reasons Katarina loved her so much.
Sera’s temper and dislike of Gill were one of the many reasons he hated her. Though, Sera didn’t let him weasel his way between her and Katarina. Some bonds couldn’t be cut, even with rose-colored glasses and a pair of scissors. They met in college, both working at the same coffee shop. Between horrid customers, sleep deprivation, and several back-to-back clopens, they became inseparable.
Katarina looped an arm around her gnomish doberman and hugged her tight. “Love you.”
“Mean it,” Sera exhaled, squeezing the succubus tight. “And, hey, how goes it on the feeding front.”
Katarina grimaced, which only made Sera groan. With a whine, the succubus put a hand to her own grumbly stomach. “I’ll figure it out.”
“No, no, I’m booking you an appointment for Luca in the morning. We’re taking the kiddo in to school and then you’re getting something to eat.” Sera snatched her phone off its hook on the dash.
“School?” Isabella squawked from the backseat.
“Tomorrow, baby,” Katarina flashed her kid a smile, before returning to Sera. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Somebody has to,” Sera spat, looking up at Katarina. “You’re not eating.”
“Mommy eat!” Isabella chirped from the backseat.
“See!” Sera flippantly motioned at the child.
“It’s not that easy! I…I…I…” Katarina trailed off as her gaze trailed up the front of the car to the townhouse sat in front of them.When will I even find the time. There’s so much I need to do…and I’ve been hungry for a month now, what’s a few more days?
“Babe,” Sera whispered, a hand to Katarina’s bicep. She didn’t even realize she’d welled up tears until Sera pulled her in for another hug.
I’m just so fucking hungry.Katarina inhaled sharply, digging her fingernails into Sera as the angry voices wrapped around herskull and dug in their talons.I shouldn’t have dated that fucker. Shouldn’t have married him. Shouldn’t have gotten pregnant. All the signs and I ignored them!
“Stop it,” Sera whispered in her ear.
“What?” Katarina whimpered, trembling in Sera’s arm. She wanted to rip back and swiped the tears before Isabella realized what was going on. But the gnome holding her hostage in the hug was like a boulder. She encased Katarina and kept her there.
“Stop being mean to my friend. I know that’s what you’re doing. You always wear this mask of confidence, but I can see it slipping. And you’re being mean to my best friend. Remember the last time Gill made the mistake of insulting you in front of me?” Sera rubbed Katarina’s back, nuzzling her face into her shoulder.
Katarina sputtered, laughing through the tears that soaked her cheek. “You gotta stop biting people, Sera.”
“Not a chance,” Sera snorted.
Katarina exhaled heavily, finally forcing herself out of Sera’s hands. She swiped the tears away and cocked her head back as if to soak them back into her skull. Once they were gone, she was able to finally swallow. “I’ll make the appointment.”
“Good, and if I don’t get a picture of you licking your chops after, I’m driving your butt to that resort myself, missy, got it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Katarina retorted, winking at Sera.
“Damn straight. Now, go on. I gotta go roust a vampire from her coffin.” Sera nudged Katarina with her elbow before looking up into the rearview. “See you tomorrow, munchkin.”
“See ya, Aunt Sera!” Isabella capped all her markers and set them aside. Katarina popped out of the door and rounded the back. Isabella was already unbuckled and free of her restraints before the door was even open. Katarina stopped so that Isabella could kiss her palm then slap it against Sera’s, who then slapped it to her cheek. Isabella made an exaggerated ‘muah’ kissy sound before bounding out of the car. Katarina gave her own palm a kiss and did the same, that Sera put to the other cheek. A habitthey’d started ever since Isabella was born and was addicted to putting her palms on people’s faces.
