Chapter 2
“Rose? Is that you?” Vivi’s head popped into the hallway as my keys plunked into the bowl just inside the door to our apartment. Her gaze landed on our drinks, because she was that obsessed with caffeine that she failed to notice the massive stain on my favorite cat shirt.
“You’re a life saver.” She flew forward, all five-foot-three of her, snatching the mocha from my hand. Then she froze, the drink halfway to her mouth. Her jaw went slack. “What… What the hell happened to you?!”
“Oh, you know, just bumped into a goblin before he spilled his coffee down the front of my shirt.”
“A goblin?” Vivi was curvy with bronze skin, dressed in an elegant black top and designer boots that screamed 'art curator.' Her job at Origin, a museum downtown, paid well enough to afford our West Cross apartment.
“Yep. A six-foot-something goblin. Pointed ears and all.”
Her gaze roved over my features until her expression morphed into something suspicious. “And…did this goblin happen to be good looking?”
“That’s… How could that possibly matter?” I sputtered.
“Because you’re breathing hard and flushed. Look at you.”
“If I’m anything, it’s because there was a goblin at Awake.”
“So? You deal with supernaturals all the time. One lone goblin is nothing.”
“Need I remind you that this is a human neighborhood? We don’t get supernaturals here.”
She knew about the supernatural community because I’d told her. It was illegal for supernaturals to tell humans about their existence, but there was no law against me doing it. Hopefully.
“He was probably just passing through,” she assured me, lifting a shoulder.
“Right. Passing through.”
“Did you make him replace your shirt?”
“My shirt? I… Well… No. I mean… It was kind of my fault. What? You were texting me about your outfits. And yeah, I kind of wasn’t watching where I was going. So—this.” I gestured to my poor shirt.
“Well, if he was a true gentleman, he would have offered to replace it.”
“He didn’t. Besides, I hardly think he fits into the gentlemen category.” My thoughts immediately went back to his appearance.
“Oh my gawd!” Vivi nudged my shoulder. “You are into him.”
“I am not! Besides, it doesn’t matter.”
“Uh-huh.” She made a humming noise, growing smugger by the moment. “Didn’t I tell you you’d get it back eventually?”
“Look. Just drop it. Let’s get you packed so you don’t miss your flight.” I took a fortifying sip of my latte, prompting her to do the same.
She took a drink. “God, this is so good.”
“I bet Tara would keep you plied full of those things if you started dating.”
She snorted. “You know I see through your attempts at matchmaking, right?”
“As long as you notice the effort I put in.” I lifted a shoulder.
“Come on. I need your help figuring out what else to pack.”
I followed her down the hallway to her room, asking, “Do you think Cameron will be okay?”
Vivi’s shoulders sagged. “I’ll make sure she is. Right after I get the full story.”
“And you’ll text me when you find out?”
“Of course!”
“If you need me to fly out so we can kill her fiancé together, just say the word. You know I’ll help you bury the body.” Vivi had been there for me when everything happened with Luke. She’d stuck with me during the darkest time in my life. There was no way I wouldn’t walk through fire for her.
“Who says there will be a body left after I’m done with him?” Her grin was malicious.
I cackled with glee. “I’ll be your alibi then.”
“Deal!”
God, I loved her.
I looked over her outfit choices and pointed out my favorites before settling on her bed as she finished packing. “At least she found out before the wedding and not after,” I said.
“I suppose there’s that,” Vivi muttered, attempting to cram everything in. “I swear, this is why I don’t do love.”
"I thought it was because you're 'too busy' for a relationship?" I added air quotes.
“That, too! Besides, I’ll put myself out there again when you do.”
“Touché.”
Vivi stood, tugging her suitcase up onto its rollers. “I think that’s everything.”
“You sure you don’t want me to go with you to the airport?”
“I’ll be fine.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and ordered a ride share. A few moments later, it chimed. “Five minutes. Perfect.”
“I guess this is goodbye then.” I stood, setting my latte on the dresser to give her a hug.
“Take care of yourself while I’m away, yeah?” She eyed me. “Be careful at work. Don’t let those supernatural assholes give you grief. Text me every day.”
“You know I will.” I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her tight. She smelled like the citrus body wash from the luxury bath shop she loved.
“Okay, I better go before I get all emotional.” We pulled apart and my throat tightened. It’s not like she’d be gone for long. Still, it had me missing her already.
“Text me when you get to the airport.” I grabbed my drink and followed her out into the living room.
“Will do. See you later alligator.” She grabbed her purse and threw open the door, rolling her suitcase out with her. I watched her go before turning the deadbolt and locking myself in.
Only then did I let my thoughts return to the goblin. I leaned against the door, taking slow breaths as my mind raced back over our encounter. The way his gaze felt on my skin. The way my stomach warmed under his perusal.
My decision to remain single was a necessary one. I couldn’t afford to get tangled up with anyone. Up until today, that hadn’t felt like a problem.
Wrangling my emotions, I pushed off the door and set off down the hallway.
My shift at Vortex started at eight, which left just enough time to get ready and eat a quick dinner.
My bedroom was my little slice of heaven.
It was decorated to suit my style with bright neon pastel colors.
There was a plush chaise lounge perfect for reading, a queen bed piled with throw pillows, and a desk—all of it thrifted.
The shag rug was a lovely shade of neon blue, and the art on the wall practically glowed with depictions of illuminated cityscapes and neon signs.
Vivi had gifted the art to me right after moving in.
I didn’t want to know what it cost. The only reason I hadn’t forced her to return it was because they’d been final sale.
I changed into my work clothes, a pair of black, form-fitting slacks, a black long sleeve button down, and stylish dark purple blazer that had the club’s symbol embroidered on the front.
The contacts I wore made my eyes dark brown instead of their natural hazel.
Then I did my makeup and curled my hair until my cotton candy waves pooled around my head and flowed to the middle of my back, thick and flawless.
There was no sign of my honey blonde roots.
I paid enough to keep it that way. To keep it perfect.
Anyone who had known me from my old life wouldn’t recognize me now.
My phone buzzed.
Vivi
Just made it through security. Boarding soon!
That was fast! Text me before you take off. I’m heading to Vortex in a few.
Seconds later, she sent me a thumbs-up emoji.
In the living room, I put on the TV. It powered on to a random news channel, whatever Vivi had been watching. Then I set about reheating lasagna leftovers.
Vivi’s lasagna was a drug. I thanked my lucky stars that she’d made an entire casserole dish just yesterday. Now I’d have leftovers through tomorrow. I carried my plate toward the table, absentmindedly listening to the newscaster in the background.
“Authorities have publicly released the identity of the body found in her home late last week as Professor Jane Miller—”
I froze midstep, my eyes fixing on the flatscreen, on the grainy photograph beside the newscaster. My vision tunneled and I blinked to clear it.
“Details are still under investigation as to the motive behind her murder. Let’s head over to WN’s Doreen Morris for more.”
The plate slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor. I barely heard it drop as footage flashed onto the screen. Professor Jane Miller’s house, surrounded by yellow caution tape, was a buzz of activity. The dark night accentuated the flicker of blue and red lights as authorities swarmed about.
The camera zoomed in on Doreen Morris. “Yes, thank you, Tania. Authorities have been tight-lipped about what happened last week, but additional evidence leads us to believe Professor Miller’s death was a premeditated act of violence.
Evidence of a physical altercation and knife wounds indicate a struggle.
A full autopsy is still underway, with no idea when or if the details will be released to the public.
Witnesses say Professor Miller was seen leaving Walton University late last Monday afternoon but reported nothing unusual about her behavior.
When she didn’t appear for her evening lecture, worried students noted her absence to the authorities.
The WBI is still looking into the details, but the question remains: What was the motivation behind such a gruesome attack? And is the university community safe?”
The footage flashed back to the newsroom before going to commercial. A small whimper escaped my lips. I reached for the remote, frantically fumbling before finding the power button. A roar sounded as blood pumped past my ears.
I took in the scene around me. The floor was a mess of broken stoneware and lasagna, almost like blood and guts. Some of it had splattered onto my black boots.
My fingers twitched and my hand unconsciously reached for the medallion pendant at my neck. I clutched it, squeezing tightly—
My phone buzzed and I jerked. It was just Vivi.
Vivi
Just boarded. I’ll text you when I land.
An ache built in my throat. I needed to tell her what I’d just seen.
She hadn’t known Professor Miller like I had.
She’d only taken two courses with her. But she still needed to know.
I started to type, but stopped, erasing my words before I began again.
What was I supposed to say? Especially when she had enough to deal with.
Swallowing down the urge, I fired off a message.
Have a safe flight. Love u!
Vivi
Love u too!
I’d tell her later, after she landed.
I glanced down at the mess on the floor, then at the clock.
My throat worked, swallowing against the acidic taste of bile.
I couldn’t eat now. The thought of food made me want to puke.
With one final swallow, I rushed into the kitchen and used a paper towel to clean my shoes, then bolted for the door, grabbed my purse and keys, and fled.