When I put her to bed, she rolled over and looked up at me, stormy eyes glassy with emotion. “But it doesn’t matter, Is’dora.” She gave me a sad, sad smile. One that pierced straight through my heart. “Not anymore.”
When I picked her phone off the bathroom floor, I couldn’t help but notice who she’d been texting at the party before she’d guzzled too much of that Bourbon-spiked eggnog. I also couldn’t help seeing that one glimpse of texts exchanged between them before I turned her phone off and set it on her nightstand.
After finishing my last bite of yogurt and granola, I took my bowl to the sink without answering. No need to dredge up that night. She’d pretend it never happened. Or maybe she was so drunk she couldn’t remember what she’d said. Anyway, best to leave it alone.
I rinsed my bowl and spoon, then loaded them in the dishwasher. “I just thought you might take the lead since this is a bigger problem than the norm. I mean, we could be talking about murdered women, Jules.”
She walked over to the coffee pot and poured herself another cup. “Possibly. But Ruben is keeping me updated on the progress, and he’s being vigilant. He has more access to the vampire world, of course, so it makes sense for him to continue. Plus, he’s the one who hired the services of a Stygorn.”
“Right,” I agreed, finishing my orange juice and loading my glass into the dishwasher. “Had you met this Stygorn before?”
“Devraj Kumar?”
“Yes.” I cleared my throat. I reached over to the table and ripped the list off my Steno pad, intending to throw it away. “Him.”
His name sparked a frantic, fluttery sensation in my stomach. I’d sensed he was powerful, but I hadn’t suspected he was one of the Stygorn. A vampire born of one of the ancients whose level of intuition, gift of glamour, strength, and speed was unparalleled by any other supernatural. The only one with more power than the Stygorn was a Siphon witch like Jules. Except the Stygorn’s level of power also gave them the ability to evade and/or harm Siphons by stealth. Fortunately, most took their gift of advanced magic responsibly. To belong to the Stygorn Guild was an elite class all its own, and they kept each other in line.
She leaned back against the countertop, one hand propped on the butcher block. “No, not personally. Ruben had mentioned him on occasion. They’ve known each other a while, it seems. And Devraj was the one who acquired that book we needed to help Mateo.”
I frowned, remembering Evie retelling the whole story when Livvy and I had first gotten home. How some vampire had to travel into the Carpathian Mountains, full of dangerous werewolf packs, in order to get this rare book from a witch who lived there. For some reason, the idea of Devraj—perfect clothes and hair, expensive luxury car, ridiculous swagger and charm—didn’t fit my vision of one of the elite, lethal Stygorn.
“Well, I’m sure Ruben has it all in hand.” I grabbed my big bag off the counter, stuffed my pen and pad inside as well as that list, then looped the thick strap across my chest, double-checking I’d packed the treats. I had.
I wished her a good day then trekked through the courtyard and out a back gate that led to the back of our shop, Mystic Maybelle’s. We’d named the place after our grandmother who’d suggested we buy the empty place next door to the Cauldron and open our own shop. Clara ran Maybelle’s, but I handled the inventory and bookkeeping. Livvy took care of the marketing and promotions for both the shop and the bar. Violet and Evie waitressed at the Cauldron while Jules was the chef.
When I unlocked and swung open the back door, I heard the music from the musical Chicago and the undeniable off-key accompaniment of Clara’s voice singing “All That Jazz.”
She was stacking our newest shipment of Tarot cards on the square center display. But she wasn’t just stacking. She was shimmying and shaking her bum to the lively twenties music and singing at the top of her lungs while she did it. Even though she couldn’t carry a tune to save her life, she was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.
When she rounded the center display and saw me standing there, she shrieked and threw a deck of cards in the air. With a quick leap toward her, I caught it in the air.
She laughed and turned down the volume on her phone. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. Say, did a package come in for me?”
She glanced over at the two boxes near the display. “No. I’ve gone through everything we have.”
I needed to email the vendor and see what was up. “I’ll be back soon to work on the books,” I called as I headed out the front entrance.
I strode down the street under the shop awnings, only the coffee shops and breakfast cafes open this early. I’d opted for a shorter flowy skirt that hit just above my knee and a loose white tee with my lace-up gladiator sandals. The sun was just peeking between the buildings, but it promised to be a hot one. It was still May, but the temps were already hitting lower eighties midday. This morning, it felt wonderful.
I skirted around some café round-tops along the sidewalk and pulled a ponytail holder from my wrist, twisting my hair into a messy bun. I couldn’t help the smile plastered on my face, thinking of seeing Archie, as I approached Ruben’s Rare Books and Brew. Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t paying attention to the man approaching from a parked car outside the bookstore.
“Isadora.”
My gaze snapped up. I gave a small wave and tried to skirt wide without stopping for conversation.
“Hold up.”
No such luck. He moved directly in my path, forcing me to stop.
Inhaling deep, I straightened my posture. “Morning, Devraj.” I fiddled with a loose thread on the hem of my skirt, letting my gaze skate everywhere but his face. Clearing my throat, I asked, “Can I help you with something?”
He’d worn his long, black hair up in his own messy bun—just like he did when he stretched his body into inhuman contortions in his backyard—but it did nothing to make him look casual. That was probably because his steely blue button-up had a silken sheen, and even rolling it up his forearms didn’t diminish his style. His sleek black pants and shiny shoes completed the pretty persona I expected of him.
He smiled, teeth and all, though still no canines showing, thankfully. That would be off-putting to say the least. No respectable woman wanted to get too close to a hungry vampire. I’d heard the thrall of being a blood host was completely intoxicating, but being caught in such a state with a vampire was not wise. They were predatory creatures, no matter how pretty the veneer. Besides, I wasn’t a fan of losing control of my faculties. Or of losing anything for that matter.
“I just wanted to wish you a good morning,” he said sincerely. Which was a little aggravating for some reason.
He didn’t need to stop me on the street. We weren’t friends. A passing “morning” with a polite wave would have sufficed.
I gave him a deep nod, grinding my teeth together. “And to you.” I started to walk around him, but he moved again to block me.
Irritated, I finally looked up and held his gaze, wondering why he was messing with me. The intensity of his whiskey-colored eyes blazed bright. I arched a brow at him, wondering why he was holding me hostage.
He seemed to snap out of his daze, clearing his throat. “Your bicycle should be delivered to your house this afternoon.”
Clasping my hands in front of me, I dipped my chin down, staring at the tip of my sandal, a little scuffed and worn. “Thank you. Sounds good.” I moved to go around him, but he shifted to keep me from leaving. Again!
“Wait.” He blew out a heavy sigh, a frown creasing his brow. “I feel like I should buy you dinner or something.” He flicked a hand, seemingly frustrated with the words coming out of his mouth. “To make up for the whole incident.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I feel like I owe you.”
“But you really don’t,” I explained with a shake of my head. The idea of spending an entire meal alone with him shot my pulse off like a rocket.
“Lunch?”
“No, thank you. I’m busy.”
“Every day this week?”
“Yes.”
“You never eat lunch?”
“I eat lunch,” I injected with a touch of annoyance. “But I prefer to get something from the Cauldron. It’s fast and easy.”
“Ah.” He bit his lower lip, drawing my eyes to the movement and the smile he held back. “I see.”
“What?” I asked, wondering why I felt so disoriented and confused in this vampire’s presence.
“You just don’t want to have lunch with me.”
Bingo. But I’d never tell him so.
I shook my head vigorously, licking my lips nervously. “It’s not that. I mean, I’m busy. You’re busy. I’m sure a Stygorn like yourself has plenty of work to do.”
His smile widened. “You’ve been asking about me?”
“My sister Jules told me why you were here.”
“Is that what makes you so nervous around me?”
“Look, I’ve got to go.” Evasive maneuvers. I glanced over his shoulder, ready to be on my way.
“Is it my acting career that bothers you?”
Not that I’d seen his movies, but the idea of him being a celebrity actually made me cringe. To have your life under a microscope where everyone watched you, wanted something from you. The thought of hanging with someone where all eyes could be on us also made me want to run and hide.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing my heartbeat to slow her ass down. “Yes, it bothers me,” I answered as politely as possible. “But even so, it would make no difference. The answer is still no.”
He let out a bark of laughter, his eyes swimming with the heat rising in the morning air. He gave me another one of those charming smiles. Though they might melt other girls into puddles of goo, it didn’t affect me. Much.
Then he commanded, “Have lunch with me.”