Chapter 12
STILL THURSDAY
IN WHICH DESSA’S COFFEE GOES COLD
Dessa braced herself and walked into The Witch’s Brew.
Breathing in the coffee’s rich, earthy aroma, she took in the dark-stained oak tables, the black-and-white photos on the walls, and the worn furniture.
A few patrons peppered the couches and tables, working on laptops or tapping away at phones, but in her mind’s eye, she saw the specters of her high school friends.
Alana with her long golden hair, Zach with his backwards baseball cap, and Peter with his nose in a book.
Through the sepia mirage, they waved to her, beckoning from their usual spot by the window.
It hurt, of course it did. But it also drew a bittersweet smile to her face. Because despite the aftertaste of their tragedy, she couldn’t deny they’d shared good times here, memories she’d carry forever.
Rhett walked in behind her, bringing her back to the present as they shuffled into the line. “While distracting me with coffee was a brilliant plan, I still want you to know that I stand by what I said. I wouldn’t trust that Kane boy with any secrets that could be used against you.”
Dessa scrunched her brow with mock innocence. “And what secrets could I possibly have there, Rhett?”
He snorted. “You’re an Uncanny. You all have secrets. Don’t think I don’t know.”
“Just like the Vampires do.”
Inwardly Dessa sighed—if Rhett knew she was an Uncanny, it was likely the whole PC knew at this point.
She blamed Richard. The gossiping ghost really would be the death of her.
Hopefully not literally. But some secrets were harder to hide than others, and at this point, hers felt permanently lodged in her throat.
Holy crap, what she wouldn’t give to say to hell with the consequences and just spill it already. Stupid promise to Brad.
Redirecting her attention to the café, she stretched her brain back to recall the unlisted Vampire menu. Rhett certainly wasn’t the first clan liaison she’d distracted here.
“Are you a red cappuccino guy?” she asked. “Or do you prefer the crimson mocha? Scarlet latte?”
“Of course the Vampires have secrets, that’s why we try not to associate with the Kane Group either.” Rhett straightened the buttons of his jacket in agitation. “And I’m a maroon Americano sort.”
“I don’t think you try all that hard, considering ninety percent of the Vampire clans’ brimming bank accounts are managed by the Kane Group,” Dessa said with a smile.
While she may have been gone for a while, she’d made sure to do her homework since she’d gotten back.
“Not to mention at least half of your specialized packaged food products come from KEG Industries.”
“Yes, yes,” Rhett huffed. “But the only Vampire in our clan who’s allowed to directly contact Xavier Kane is the regional clan Sire. You should leave such things to your uncle.”
“Sounds more like a control issue than a safety problem. If my uncle didn’t trust me with Jamison, he wouldn’t have hired him.
” The truth in the words sent a cocktail of emotions filtering through Dessa, and she paused to order from a Vampire girl with a long black braid.
Dessa didn’t recognize her, but of course there would be plenty of people new to the town after six years.
Rhett sighed, sliding his card into the reader to Dessa’s sharp objection. “Um, I said I was going to buy coffee.”
“Then you’ll have to be faster next time.
” He smiled, his teeth glinting as they moved to the pick-up counter.
“What I’m pointing out, Dessa McKinney, is that the Kanes control far too much not to be dangerous, and what better way to expand their business than to invade the PC?
They’ve obviously placed their youngest heir in your midst as a mole. ”
Dessa was careful not to laugh at the image of Jamison as a spy. “Well, that’s a theory.”
The Vampires were nothing if not paranoid, but without knowing the magic that had infected the Kanes, she could understand his suspicion.
However, if the Kanes were keeping it a secret for some reason, she would respect their privacy.
Before Dessa could say anything else, the owner, Quinley, slid their orders onto the counter.
Her eyes lit up as she spotted Dessa, and she muffled a squeal. “Dessa Blue, you’re back!”
Quinley ran around the counter and squeezed Dessa tight, Quinley’s short caramel-colored bob tickling Dessa’s cheek. “Richard told us you were working at AzRIO again. Why haven’t you come to see me? We’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too, Quinley,” Dessa laughed. “The office has been slammed or else I would’ve come sooner.” She gestured to Rhett with a good-natured grin. “These Vampires are always stirring up drama.”
Rhett crossed his arms with a sniff. “Falsely accused as always.”
“Aw, Rhett would never.” Quinley laughed, the many silver piercings in her eyebrows and ears glinting as she hugged him as well, which he accepted as gracefully as a wooden plank. “Gotta protect my regulars.”
Rhett’s metaphorical feathers seemed to visibly unruffle at the compliment, and he plucked up his to-go mug. “I am the most loyal customer, completely trustworthy in every—”
“Rhett!”
The door to the coffee shop jangled open as the pink-haired Vampire, Julia, and Jamison burst inside. “The argument between Maxwell and Danforth escalated into a duel.”
Rhett raised an unconcerned brow and sipped his Americano. “Naturally. We all saw that coming from a mile away. They even pre-cleared it with the clan office, and we have the signed paperwork on file. What’s the problem?”
“Maxwell tore Danforth’s head off,” Julia said, matter-of-fact.
Jamison visibly flinched, and Dessa lifted her coffee cup to hide her smile. Though she’d tried to warn him, the violence of paranormal culture took some getting used to. It was why the clans mostly policed themselves, only inviting outside mediation to avoid cross-territory war.
Rhett gave an impatient shrug. “We could’ve known that was going to happen. So what?”
Nerves flickered across Julia’s sharp features. “Well, a van-ful of Nescis watched the whole fight from start to finish, and one of them even recorded it. They’re not buying any stories.”
Rhett pinched the bridge of his nose, and Dessa tensed. “Where are they now?” she asked.
Julia bounced on her toes as if ready to take off at any moment. “We’re holding them at our western storage facility. We were wondering if you could call your uncle or—”
“I’ll take care of it.” Dessa’s jaw tightened as she tried not to linger on the fact that the Vampires didn’t even think she was capable of such a routine cover exercise.
She’d made mistakes in the past, but she was no greenhorn, and this was what AzRIO was made for.
“But let’s move quickly. People will start wondering if they’re missing too long.
” And if their Vampire guards got bored—a permanent state of being for many of their kind—who knew what mischief they’d get up to.
Dessa waved as she left the coffee shop, her mocha in hand. “Bye, Quinley, we’ll catch up soon.”
“I can drive.” Jamison jingled his keys, his expression tight. “I’m parked right outside.”
Dessa nodded, grateful that he’d come prepared. Rhett gave an unhurried salute as he sipped his maroon Americano. “We’ll meet you there.”
In a matter of seconds, Dessa was back in Jamison’s passenger seat, slamming the door shut.
Jamison started the car and wrenched toward her. “What the hell did she mean, tore his head off?”
“Exactly how it sounds.” Dessa punched in the address, and Jamison obediently followed the mechanical voice into the street.
“Both Vampires and Werewolves have hierarchies built on strength, and duels are used to settle disputes. Vampires almost always duel to the death, but Werewolves will generally allow the loser to submit.”
“And the Magickers?” Jamison asked.
“Each affinity is different, but in general, the Magickers are more solitary. The Hexxer cults are sneakier about rooting out dissent though. They’ll cull the dissenters with poison or spells, then claim it was an act of fate.”
Jamison was quiet for a moment, his hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel.
Dessa smirked. “Are you regretting trying to rile up Rhett now?”
“No way.” Jamison raised an eyebrow at her. “That guy needs to be taken down a few pegs.”
“That’s true of just about every Vampire I’ve met. Though they’re polite and intelligent, they’re arrogant too.”
“Do you trust Rhett?” Jamison asked. “He seemed weirdly calm about this Nesci thing.”
“That’s funny, he was asking the same thing about you,” Dessa chuckled. “He was probably calm because most of the PC holds little value to Nescient life. He’d be perfectly fine if his guards drained the Nescis and simply paid the fine.”
“And this guy was asking if I’m trustworthy?” Jamison squawked.
“Money raises questions and opens doors.” Dessa tapped her fingers against her knees as she considered the angles. “If the Kanes are wading further into the PC, then they could financially threaten the Vampires.”
Jamison drove in silence for a moment, the route taking them from the suburbs into the more rural outskirts of Azalea Springs.
Dessa sipped her mocha, the warm infusion of Quinley’s calming magic flowing through her.
Her way with teas and coffee was a minor gift, as were most Magicker talents, but oh-so-sweet.
When Jamison spoke again, his voice was quiet under the purr of the car’s engine. “What did you say? When he asked if you trusted me?”
Dessa let the words hang in the air between them as she considered her reply.
At one time, she would’ve been sure how she felt about Jamison.
He was a classmate, a stranger, a Nesci—and nothing else really mattered.
But now, he’d crossed the line into her world with one decisive leap.
They’d even had a wallow-party, and she really didn’t know where all that put them.