Chapter 6
CRISSA
“I’m sorry ma’am, it’s going to be just a few more minutes on those pizzas.
” I tried to offer a sympathetic smile. “We’re a little backed up with that party over there.
” With my thumb, I gestured to the screaming kids jumping on the booths in the back of the pizzeria.
Despite being a Thursday, the place was oddly packed and we were dealing with a rather busy dinner rush.
The mother in the booth smiled kindly. “No problem, hun. They’re preoccupied anyway.
” She waved in the direction of her two boys playing a basketball game in the arcade nearby.
“Take all the time you need. We’re in no rush.
” She gave me a sweet smile. I nodded and walked away, pulling out my notepad so I could take the order of the next table in my section.
As I approached the table, the middle-aged man to my right tugged at the ruffles of my uniform before rubbing his fingers along my thigh. He gazed up at me with an eerie familiar look. “You gonna take our order now, cutie?” My body tensed and my anxiety flared.
I shall handle this.
I felt Zeth’s presence rumble in the pit of my stomach. Without a single hesitation, I let a tiny sliver of it peek through and come to life within me.
“Take your fucking hand off of my human,” Zeth muttered through my lips with a tilted smile.
His voice was low and demonic, especially compared to mine, and would startle anyone who heard it.
The guy jolted, pulling his hand back from my leg so quickly, you’d think I’d have burnt him.
I felt no remorse, only pride in knowing Zeth had terrified him.
The demon’s presence faded back as I regained control, allowing him to remain seeded in my thoughts.
If he touches you again, he is mine to claim.
“Fine,” I whispered. I shifted on my feet slightly, straightened my poofy sleeve, and stared at the man.
I refused to show the giant fake smile I’d usually wear, and gave no apology for the words that had just left my mouth.
I just pretended everything was normal. “So.” I tilted my head.
“What can I get for you two?” I looked at the man and his friend blankly.
They were both in slacks and polos, clearly off of work and grabbing dinner before going home to their wives, evidenced by the solid gold bands on their ring fingers.
I guess they thought they could bag someone as dessert too.
Typical human men. Always wanting more. And when they can’t get what they want, they try to take it. I never understood the reasoning behind their overwhelming sexual cravings, behaving as though it’s never enough and acting as though they would die without it.
He cackled.
They think sex is power! But in reality, they are weak. Weaker than any other creature on this earth. Why do you think God made Eve, Crissa?
I didn’t answer.
Not for Adam’s sexual needs, like they’d want you to believe. No. Women were created to fix the original design of man, which had many, many flaws. And these men before you, are the sad truth that even a god can make a mistake.
I tried to not laugh at Zeth’s words.
The two men at the table said nothing and just looked at me with blank expressions.
I plastered on a smirk and spoke. “I’ll just give you two another minute.
” I turned on my heels and nearly gasped.
“What the hell is she doing here?” I whispered to myself.
Just in the distance, was Sybil, standing at the entrance of Big Top.
Oh, now this is an interesting turn of events.
I ignored Zeth’s voice in my head as she was quite literally the last person I expected to see. “What do I do, Zeth?” I quietly asked the demon inside of me. Before he could respond, Sybil and I made eye contact. “Shit!” I continued walking, pretending I hadn’t just locked eyes with her.
Oh, she noticed you, dear Crissa.
I kept my eyes low. From what I saw, Sybil was alone. None of her little band of followers were with her, which was pretty unusual, but I didn’t have time to deal with her. I’d just carry on and let one of my coworkers deal with her.
Wise move, human. I do not think you could stomach such an altercation at the moment. Pity, though. I was feeling peckish.
I tried to hurry past, but the moment she realized I wasn’t going to acknowledge her existence, she snapped.
Sybil yelled across the pizzeria. “Hey, freak! I know you just saw me!”
Cris-sa. I know you do not wish to engage, but let us give her a lit–tle taste of what she has in store.
“No,” I whispered under my breath. “I’ll handle this.
Alone.” Zeth groaned between my ears. I turned around to look at Sybil and noticed something different about her.
She looked…disheveled. Her usual shiny red hair was dull and dried out, the color faded oh so faintly.
Her clothes were frumpy and wrinkled, compared to her usual put-together outfits, but her signature red lipstick remained, freshly applied.
Hell, from where I was standing, she looked like a fucking disaster.
Her blue eyes burned with emotion as she glared at me. “You’ve got some real nerve, freak,” she spat the insult. “Showing your face around here like nothing happened!” Her steps toward me were filled with anger, and the scowl on her face was nothing but menacing.
“Wait—what?” I was confused…what did my being here, at my job, have anything to do with her? The look on my face must have conveyed the question in my head.
It seems you have angered the redhead.
“Aww. What’s wrong? Is poor, stupid little Crissa confused?” She used a sing-song voice and it pissed me off.
“What the hell did I do to you?” I hissed.
Her brows furrowed with such anger. “What did you do? You ruined my fucking party the other night!” As she screeched the words, everyone in Big Top began to turn and look at us.
Zeth’s laughter ruptured in my brain as I stood there. I didn’t move.
Shall I handle this, human?
Despite my initial instinct to say yes, I knew Zeth would only butcher the situation if I gave him a chance. And after spending more time with him, I realized I needed to be bold and stand up for myself. So, I did just that.
“Sybil, this is my job. You can’t just barge in and start shouting, causing a scene.
I work here.” She tried to open her mouth, but I threw my hand up in exasperation.
“I’m speaking,” I growled. “And I didn’t ruin your lame party.
” I stepped closer, filled with both anxiety and adrenaline.
“You drugged me and then paid some random guy to fucking attack me. And when everyone saw what you did, you laughed. All of you.” She crossed her arms in a huff.
“So what, the hell do you want? Did you come here for another one of your sick games? Because I’m done letting you fuck with me.
You need to leave before I call security.
” Sybil glared at me and refused to budge. “Now!”
I rolled my eyes and spun to walk away when I felt a sharp pull on one of my pig tails. “What the—” Sybil yanked me toward her and I noticed her arm was pulled back, preparing to slap me.
“Absolutely not.” Tawny’s rich, gravely voice came from nowhere.
Her hand wrapped around Sybil’s wrist, stopping her swing.
Sybil released my hair and scoffed at my boss.
Tawny wore a frown and gently pushed me back.
“Kid, why don’t you head to the kitchen.
I think the pizzas for your table are ready.
” I nodded, hesitant to leave. “You.” Tawny directed her attention to Sybil. “You can leave my restaurant. Now.”
“What the fuck?” She ripped her arm from Tawny’s grasp.
“Your clown there is a freak! She dumped those drinks on me and is always hovering over me and my friends when we’re eating—she should leave!
” Sybil screamed, but Tawny ignored her and escorted her out and back into the mall.
William came rushing from the back after them both with a clipboard, his security keys jingling on his hip.
No fun.
I ignored Zeth’s groans and did as Tawny said, delivering the pizzas to the table with the mom and her boys.
As I refilled their drinks, the mom passed me a pitying look.
It made my face burn with shame, but I put on my work smile and cleared my throat.
“Enjoy your pizza! And please, feel free to flag me down if there’s anything else I can get for you guys.
” The mom nodded and I left the table, hoping it would be the last time I saw them before they paid.
My heart raced from the whole exchange with Sybil. I ran into the kitchen and yanked the hat from my head, panting with anxiety. “Fuck,” I breathed. “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to stand up to her like that.”
You did well, human.
Passing the back office, I noticed Tawny through the opened door, talking to the security guard.
She waved me in and sat in William’s chair, monitoring the security feeds at the desk.
“Give us a minute, will ya?” William nodded, walking past me with a concerned look on his face.
My eyes remained on my boss as she spoke.
“What the hell is going on, kid?” She looked me directly in the eye before she continued.
“You’re a hard worker, but I can’t have that kind of shit happening in my business.
I don’t want to fire you, so I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself.
” She cocked her head. “Something's going on with you, and it’s got me worried.”
“I know, Tawny. I'm sorry…it won’t happen again.” As much as I wanted to explain everything to her, I couldn’t.