The Thorn and the Spire (Monstrous Cravings #1)

Chapter 1

No one went to Haven without a reason.

The reason might be refuge. It might be camaraderie. It might even be a desperate shot in the dark. However, Haven wasn’t the sort of place one just wandered into.

The arrival was intentional.

And tonight, I was clutching onto a shot in the dark with all my might.

The neon lights illuminated the sign from the classic chrome exterior, Haven Diner in the bright yellows and greens.

Haven sat at the end of the block, an iconic spot in Peregrine City.

Whether you were vamp or human, witch or demon, it didn’t matter here.

Haven was protected. The spells in place leveled the playing field, providing a no man’s land in a city full of chaos.

Sweat prickled my palms as I approached. What the hell was a nobody like me doing here? This was way outside my pay grade. I was equipped to handle patrons’ questions and categorize stacks of books, not to engage in illicit meetings at Haven. Yet this was my only option.

Dad had been missing for days now.

I ran my hand through my hair, but that mussed up the strands, and my footsteps echoed with a boom, boom, boom, like the tolling of a bell. Maybe I was a little too sheltered. This shouldn’t be such a nerve-inducing thing. Just a meeting at Haven. The Haven.

Granted, growing up in the suburbs of Peregrine City, the mesh of monsters and humans wasn’t as common as it was here.

When Dad had first moved us to the city five years ago, I’d gawked at all the different types of monsters and magic users that walked along the crowded streets.

I’d been thrilled. I’d read stories of monsters and fantastical creatures for years, only ever getting an occasional glimpse.

The air held a hint of decay, but whether from the denizens of the streets or the leaves underfoot was a mystery.

I tugged at the strap of my messenger bag, which was laden with a handful of books I was working through.

Not that I needed them for this meeting, but I’d brought them anyway as emotional support.

I walked up the path to Haven Diner, the burnt-sugar smell that lingered in certain spaces of the city heavy with magic users tickling my nose.

The chrome exterior gleamed under the surrounding streetlights, and the sense of danger the night brought put me even more on edge.

My hand settled on the cool handle of the door, and I summoned my nerve.

I needed answers, and this was the place to get them.

When I stepped inside, the cozy interior struck me first. Despite some neon glow accents, the lights were a soft yellow and hung interspersed throughout the different booths, all dark-green vinyl with purple stripes.

The floor was a checkerboard black and white, and the beige walls were like parchment paper, which fit perfectly with the purple velvet curtains.

A short woman stood at the host stand, her brunette hair pulled back into a neat plait. She had a guarded air to her rather than a welcoming one, but that fit my expectations of the place.

“By yourself?” she asked, grabbing a menu.

I licked my lips. I was early, so I knew my contact hadn’t arrived yet. “I’m meeting someone, so I’ll snag us a seat now.”

“Sounds good,” she said as she grabbed another menu. “Follow me.”

Her footsteps didn’t make a sound as we headed over to an open booth in the back, and curiosity filtered through me.

Something about her broadcast danger and alertness, and I had the feeling she wasn’t a garden-variety human like me.

Humanoid didn’t mean human, which was something I’d learned at an early age when my best friend in grade school started spurting flames.

His family had moved from the burbs shortly after that, heading to the city.

I settled into the vinyl booth, which was surprisingly comfortable. The scent of spice lingered in the air—cinnamon and nutmeg, like bottled fall.

“What can I get you to drink?” she asked, her hand on her hip.

I licked my lips. Right, I needed to order something instead of just looking sketchy. “Coffee, please. If you’ve got a strong one, that’s my preference.”

“Got you covered,” she said. “First time visiting here?”

“How could you tell?” I wrinkled my nose. Apparently I was as subtle as a sledgehammer.

“The whole doe-eyed look.” She smirked. “I’ll be right back with that tea.”

I withheld my groan and instead took the time to look around.

As much as I interacted with all walks of life now at the library, there was a higher cluster of supernaturals in Haven due to the nature of the place.

A horned satyr sat with a human in the other booth, engaged in an in-depth chat over pancakes, and a few down from them was a cecaelia, their purple tentacles spilling out of the side of the booth as they flipped through the menu.

Dad had left me a number to call in case I needed help.

Sure, he hadn’t explained who the guy was, just that his name was Murray and he was a catch-all when it came to information.

Considering Dad worked as an accountant, I wasn’t sure why he’d need a contact like that, but I guess it was good he had one because I was utilizing it now.

The server swung over with a piping hot mug, the steam wafting from the top. “Here you go. Let me know if you need me.” The look she shot me implied that she thought the help would be necessary. I wasn’t sure if it was a promise or pity, but I appreciated it either way.

I took a sip from the steaming liquid, enjoying the way it slid down my throat, even if my nerves simmered. Maybe I could pull out one of my emotional support novels and pretend I was sitting here reading a book and grabbing tea, not waiting for a random contact to show.

Before I could take my book out, the door swung open again, drawing my attention.

An older creature strode in, at least half my height and humanoid despite the forked tail and claws.

An imp. He had the wizened, bushy eyebrows you’d expect on a grandfather, as well as wrinkles lining his features.

His dark gaze landed on me, and his lips slid into a smile.

A shiver raced through me, a reminder of how out of my depth I was.

To my surprise, after briefly conferring with the server, he headed in my direction.

Was this Maury? I’d assumed he’d be human, but maybe that was an oversight on my part.

Not that my father was a Human First guy by any means, but he still didn’t have friends who were anything but.

The imp stopped in front of my table, and he scanned me over a second time before arching a brow. “You’re Hank’s son?”

“Maury?” I asked, my voice shockingly steady. The coffee must’ve helped.

His eyes crinkled as his grin revealed fangs.

“Yeah, kid. That’s me.” He slid into the seat across from me with ease.

I didn’t trust him per se, but not because of the imp thing.

No, it was the familiar way he strode into the situation, as if he were used to dealing with desperate people, that rang my warning bells.

But we were in neutral territory, and if anyone might have a lead on my dad’s whereabouts, it’d be him.

“My dad said if anyone has information about the goings-on in this city, it’s you.”

“You’re aware information’s not free, right?” he said, arching a wizened brow.

My throat bobbed with my gulp. I should’ve anticipated that, right? However, a librarian’s salary wasn’t the sort that lent itself to dropping cash with ease. “I’ve got a little on me, but I wasn’t exactly prepared.”

“I don’t deal in money,” he said, those dark eyes shifting to the door and back. “And you’re protected here. If you’re not interested in the trade, then we’ll go our separate ways, no harm, no foul.”

And why didn’t that soothe me in the slightest?

“What do you deal in?” I asked, even though my nerves simmered on full boil.

“Favors and other sundry things,” he responded.

Right. Of course. I’d read countless stories about making deals with creatures and how that could go terribly wrong. I took a sip of my coffee again, letting the heat coil through me. I might have been desperate enough to call Maury, but the idea of owing him a favor…a shiver ran down my spine.

However, I had one thing I could work with.

“You aren’t the only one who deals in information,” I responded. “A librarian’s biggest asset is research, and I have access to Peregrine City’s archives.”

Maury’s brows lifted. “Well, now. That’s an interesting offer.

” His dark, gimlet eyes studied me, and I shifted in my seat.

Far too quickly I was realizing that I sat across from a very dangerous individual.

The one safety net I clung to was that he couldn’t harm me here in Haven.

“A trade, then. One piece of information now for one piece of information in the future.”

That, I could work with. “Shake on it?”

“No need,” he said, tapping the side of his head with one of his sharp claws. “I never forget a deal.”

Well, bully for me.

The server swung by again, all sharp angles and caution. “You’re back, Maury? You’re aware this isn’t your personal office, right?”

“This how you treat one of your best customers?” he joked, spreading his arms out on the back of the booth. Clearly, he was in his element here, and based on the softening of the server’s features, he wasn’t unwelcome either.

“Our best customers order more food,” she said with an arched brow. “Speaking of, you getting the burger special of the day?”

“What’s the meat today?” he asked.

“Your favorite. Goat,” she said with a hint of a grin.

“Sold.” He settled back in his seat.

“Food for you?” she asked, though the arch of her brow never wavered.

Given the state of my stomach, due to this whole meeting, I didn’t think I could manage. “The coffee’s fine for me, thanks.” As if to prove the fact, I took another sip. So helpful. I was a master negotiator at the ripe old age of twenty-five.

“No problem,” she said, slipping away just as fast.

“Gretel’s been a mainstay here for a while. She’s Sofia’s partner,” Maury explained. “I’ll give you that for free.”

“Sofia, as in Sofia Calderon?” I asked. “The witch who owns this place?”

“No, Sofia the leprechaun who’s been chatting me up every time I go to the newsstand,” Maury drawled.

I shot him a look. Right, so Maury apparently moonlit as a stand-up too.

“Okay, we’re serious,” he said, lifting his hands in defense. “I get it.”

Too serious had been a character flaw of mine for a long while, at least when it came to interactions. It had cost me friends and boyfriends before. I swallowed down the sting, along with another sip of tea.

“So, what’s your question, then?” he asked. “What information are you seeking?”

Resolve settled inside me. “My dad’s missing. He hasn’t returned to his apartment, and I don’t know where to even start my search.”

Hope twisted inside me like a wet rag. If Maury didn’t have answers, I wasn’t sure what I’d do. I’d have to scour his apartment again for clues or at this point involve the police.

He shook his head, that easy smile still on his lips. “That’s a simple one, I’m afraid.”

My stomach plummeted. Somehow, I didn’t figure this would be good news.

“You know the casino on the outside of town?”

I bobbed my head, that unease building, building, building. Everyone knew of the Spires, the set of buildings that rose to pierce the sky like cragged castles, owned by cutthroat businessman Cillian Ashmore. People didn’t go to the Spires for casual gambling. They went to lose their souls.

“Your father was last seen outside the Spires.”

Oh, fuck.