5. Sparkle
SPARKLE
Oh, that conniving demon! He sits next to our table. Not that there are other tables, but he could be a decent person and not sit next to us.
Beau laughs before slapping his hand over his mouth. I can’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but I know he’s rolling them or trying to get a good look at Lucien.
“He seems very nice,” Gabe says. “I know a thing or two about misunderstandings.”
Beau nods and picks at a napkin. We didn’t get the chance to order our breakfast because I stomped away from the counter.
Lark tips his head toward the demon. “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to him, would it?”
“Well, no,” I say. “But now I’m just being stubborn.
” Because I’ve embarrassed myself by overreacting.
It’s very sweet that Lucien said I was right yesterday.
But now I just want my breakfast and to run back home.
The demon is too attractive. Way, way too attractive.
What does he really want with little ol’ me?
Beau knocks his shoulder into mine and nods toward Lucien. Reluctantly, I look. The demon laughs with his friends, but I can’t get invested in their conversation. Lucien is just getting treats, and he’ll be back in the human realm in no time.
My phone buzzes.
Wren: Does everyone want the usual? I’ll grab it before we finish his order.
Bless this Fae. I ask the group, and they all agree. Wren shoots back a thumbs up. At least we’ll get something in our rumbling tummies, and Lucien won’t get it all.
Beau bounces in his chair when Wren walks toward us with a tray full of food. I can feel Lucien’s eyes on me while we pass around our breakfast.
Wren turns to the demon. “We gotta make sure our best customers are taken care of, but never fear. Your order is almost done.” For some reason, he gives an elegant bow before he leaves.
I just roll my eyes.
“If you roll your eyes too hard, they’ll get stuck,” Lucien says.
“Then I won’t have to look at you.” I shove the apple muffin in my mouth and moan. It never fails. Everything I eat at Wick’s is always the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.
I’m only slightly surprised Lucien didn’t make a comment about the moan, but I’m glad he can be a gentleman about things.
I sigh and place my muffin back on the plate.
I don’t want to excitedly eat. I won’t have much downtime once we leave, and I want to savor every bite and every moment with my friends.
Probably shouldn’t sour my own mood either.
I turn to Lucien. He’s already watching me, and heat creeps up my neck. “We could play a game,” I say.
He cocks his head and raises an eyebrow. “What kind of game?”
I definitely didn’t think this through. “Twenty Questions kind of thing. All of us get a question in. We’ll see how many we can get through before you leave.”
Lucien perks up. “Darlin’, we won’t be leaving until we eat everything.”
I blink. “That’s a lot of food.”
“It is, but this one can eat.” He waves toward Lars.
The other companion slumps. “And I get to watch you both enjoy yourselves.”
“There are blood treats here,” Beau says.
The vampire sits up. “I’ll have to investigate because that would be divine.”
“How about introductions first?” Lucien says. “I’m Lucien, higher demon of the second ring of the demon realm.” He waves to the wolf. “This is Lars, wolf shifter. And Ryan, or DJ Vampers from the club.”
Lars and Ryan both wave and grin as if on cue.
I introduce everyone at my table. “Before he started working here, Wren was with us, too.” I nod to the front counter, where he and Wick fill Lucien’s order.
“He’s so in love with that griffin shifter,” Lucien says.
“How do you know?” Beau asks with a mouthful of apple tart.
“Talon was on me in seconds after Wren hit that button. And Wren was so gentle with him.”
I nod and take another bite of muffin while shooting a text to Wren to bring a blood drink with Lucien’s order. We can’t have Ryan not enjoy the treats as well.
“Okay,” I start. “First question. We’ll start with something super basic. Favorite color?”
Beau shouts out, “Orange!” Everyone says a color until it’s mine and Lucien’s turn.
“Cats first,” he says.
“You’ll make fun of me,” I mumble because I realize it’s going to sound like a come on. I could lie, but I hate lying.
Lucien grins and my friends snicker. “Is it purple?” He holds up a hand, showcasing the beautiful deep violet of his skin.
“Yes.” I look toward the front to see where they are on the demon’s order. “And yours?”
“Green.”
Our eyes meet and I go hot all over. “Like my eyes?”
He shakes his head. “Like pistachio ice cream. It’s so delicious.”
Pistachio ice cream? That was not the answer I was expecting.
Everyone snorts and we’re interrupted by Wick and Wren bringing Lucien’s order to his table.
Lucien tips his head towards me when Wren sets a steaming mug in front of Ryan.
“It’s a little something we’re still experimenting with. We don’t get a lot of vampires at the bakery, but we want something for them when they do show up.”
Ryan takes a sip. His eyes flutter shut, and he nods. “Best thing I’ve drunk in decades.” He lifts the mug. “Thanks.”
Lucien mouths thank you to me before he turns his attention to the spread of food on his table.
Just that little acknowledgment makes my heart flutter.
“Everyone deserves something nice.”
“Indeed, they do,” Lucien says. He grabs one of the sugar cookies and sinks his teeth into it. “Fuck.” He wipes his mouth with a napkin and lifts the treat in the air. “Delicious!”
Everyone in the place turns to look at him. He just chuckles and shovels the rest into his mouth as if someone will take it away. He and Lars plow through the food faster than I expected. It’s all carbs and sweets. I’d have a major tummy ache.
“Well, kitty cat, we didn’t really play our little game, but I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Same time. Same place.” Lucien winks, then all three are gone in a blink.
Lark pushes to his feet as if he wants a closer look. “How did he do that without touching?”
I have no idea, but I already wish it were tomorrow morning so I could see his handsome face again.
What is wrong with me?
“You are such a cat,” Beau says.
“What do you mean?” I cross my arms and huff out a breath. My tail sways behind me, and I try to will it to stop.
Beau points to my tail. “Your tail betrays you. You want him so bad.”
I throw my arms up. “Have you seen him? He’s sexy as sin. But there’s no way he wants me other than to toy with me.” And I won’t be toyed with.
Lark pokes me in the side. “You don’t know that. But Beau’s right. You’re such a kitten around him. Want his affection? Don’t want it. Make him chase you. So very cat-like.”
Beau nods and shovels another tart into his mouth. “Creamsicle could take lessons from you, but then I think Poe would be sad.”
I try to will my tail to stop swishing, but fail. “Sorry? I don’t do it on purpose.” Or do I? At this point, I don’t know anymore. I sigh and check the time. “Sorry. I need to head to the shop. Mama gave me a long list today.”
“Want some company?” Beau asks.
“No, I need time to think before I head back home. But thank you.”
Lark and Gabe watch me, and I shake my head. I don’t need or want questions right now. Lucien made me feel like an object last night and leaves me so confused.
“If you need anything,” Lark starts.
“Call,” Gabe finishes, with Beau nodding.
“I can bring treats to cheer you up.”
We all snort. Beau is always thinking about treats. Not that I find anything wrong with that.
I push to my feet and gather the trash from around the table.
“Shoo,” Lark says. “We’ll clean up. You go do your shopping and hopefully get some rest before picking up Ferris.”
“Love y’all.” I blow a kiss to the table before I leave.
The morning breeze brushes through my fur as I make my way toward the grocery.
I really could use some rest, but I’d rather show up every morning to be with my friends.
Sometimes I wonder why they chose to stay in Hex at all.
All of them can roam the world without being seen as a freak.
Lark and Wren simply have to glamour away their wings.
Gabe and Beau have fully human sides. And then there’s me.
A cat shifter that can’t fully shift to human like the rest of my family.
Mama says there’s nothing wrong with me.
Papa barely acknowledges me when he’s home every couple of years.
Maybe it’s because of work. Maybe it’s because his oldest son never learned to look fully human.
I don’t ask anymore. My cat comes easily.
Maybe too easy. Some days I want to just be a cat and run away.
Run from my family, from Hex. I love my family, but I’m overwhelmed.
So damn overwhelmed. I didn’t have to get a job, but I needed it for my own mental health.
Sure, working in a club might not be ideal if you ask my papa. But he wasn’t here, and the kittens were overwhelming, and Drake offered me a chance to breathe. I wanted to explore the human world with no way to do it. Until Drake.