12. Two Months Later
I loved the late hours of Creature Cafe’s city location. I glanced at the moon that glowed overhead, knowing I needed to get back home sooner rather than later. I’d picked up some supplies I’d been missing for a while, but decided I wanted to take a treat to Marina, too.
When I stepped inside, it was quiet. Jazz music floated through the cafe, and I wasn’t surprised to see Layla at the bar.
Sitting on a stool to her right was a young guy with piercings and tattoos.
Next to him was a curvy woman in nurse scrubs sipping on an iced coffee.
The three of them chatted away, their voices low.
I frowned when I saw her expression.
“Hey,” I said warily.
“Oh, hey,” Layla said, her spine straightening. “Demi, this is Leo. He’s mated to Malachi, a local vampire professor. And this is Juliet. She’s mated to two gargoyles, Beau and Jade. They’re architects.”
Leo eyed my arms. I was wearing a tank top, so the guns were out. “Hi. I am very jealous of your biceps.”
I snorted as I walked up to the counter. “Perks of having a mermaid mate, maybe.” Going down on her was the perfect workout. “And also playing rugby. It’s nice to meet both of you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Juliet said with a grin. “Welcome to the Millennial Monster Mates group. Well, except for Layla, who is not mated nor exactly human.”
“Hey,” Layla snorted. “I’m half human.”
“Are you so sure about that?” Leo asked. “You’re a Grim Reaper. Big and scary.”
She groaned and sank down until her forehead rested against the counter. All of her energy seemed to fade, and it felt strange seeing her like this.
Ever since she’d called me for my first date with Marina, we’d kept in touch. Especially after Marina and I washed ashore and something had happened on a supernatural scale that we still didn’t understand.
Layla sighed. “I don’t know what I am. Maybe I’m a Grim Reaper, but every time I try to be helpful, I fuck up.”
“You were helpful to me,” I said. “I met Marina because of you. And you haven’t even mentioned the fact I left my underwear in your cooler, which I’m absolutely sure is a health code violation.”
Juliet and Leo burst out laughing, and that made Layla perk up enough she stood up straight again.
Layla studied me thoughtfully. “Random question, but do you want to join our group chat? It’s for humans and monsters, and it’s just to get updates on stuff happening in our area.
After the whole . . . Awakening that happened, I thought it’d be a good idea for everyone to be a little more connected. ”
“Um, sure,” I said. “I’m notoriously terrible at texting back, but having something like that sounds nice.”
The Awakening. I still wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but we’d all felt it. Every monster I knew was on high alert.
And they were scared.
Even Marina was concerned. She’d insisted that if anything happened on the surface, I’d live in her home beneath the water.
She’d even been working with her family and other merpeople with human mates to use their magic to create spaces where humans could survive long-term.
I was very proud of her. Her intelligence and determination only made her sexier.
I just wished we had nothing to worry about. It was bittersweet, finding the love of my life, but seeing how troubled our world was.
There were whispers of something terrible, and I didn’t even want to know what that could possibly mean. Marina had mentioned a creature that’d saved us, but I couldn’t remember anything except drowning, and then waking up in my mate’s arms.
“And Layla,” I said seriously. “I . . . Are you okay? Because I heard some things.”
Leo and Juliet glanced at each other. Layla nodded, but her eyes tore away from me.
“It’ll be okay. My dads are powerful. They’ve battled worse, I’m sure.
I just wish . . . Well, they’re keeping stuff from us.
And Luca hates it. He’s suddenly angry all the time, and I’ve never seen him like this.
And I don’t know where the fuck Bell is. ”
“Who’s Bell?” Leo whispered to Juliet.
“Bell, or Bellamy, is my brother,” Layla groaned. “He’s a year and a half younger than me and Luca. He’s been traveling around the world for the last nine months. Then there’s Jace, who’s turning eighteen this year, and Tana. She’s twelve. She’s a nightmare.”
My brows shot up. “Damn, your parents have been busy.”
Layla massaged her temples. “Don’t even get me started. Gabriel, Luca, and I have formed a No More Children alliance.”
“Who is Gabriel?” I asked, bewildered.
“Older step-brother. Fallen angel. We have a big family.”
“Ohhhh,” Juliet said as she finished her coffee. “She’s an eldest daughter.”
“Ahhh,” Leo and I said together.
“I’m an only child, so.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Got to skip over that curse.”
Layla snorted and whipped out her phone. “I’m adding you to the chat. Oh, also, did you want to order something?”
“I was going to see if you have any sweets left,” I said. “I wanted to bring something to Marina. She gets grumpy when I leave her all day.”
“I bet she does.” Layla wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think she’ll ever like me.”
“Well,” I laughed. “Sorry. She does hold a grudge. I do think she appreciates the fact that you brought us together, though.”
Layla smirked as she went to the pastry case and started pulling a few out with tongs. “Good.”
I smiled as I waited for her to bag everything up, but then the door flew open. We all looked up, and my eyes widened.
Oh god.
Rhea’s older brother stood in the doorway, filling the frame with his broad shoulders. I knew he had a glamour on to disguise him from humans, but that didn’t work on any of us. He was all werewolf, tall with thick muscles and dark gray fur with a patch of white on his chest.
“Steel,” Layla said in surprise. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you still matching people, Layla? When you’re not supposed to be?”
Layla blanched. “Um . . .”
“Of course not,” Leo lied on her behalf.
Steel glanced at me and then cocked his head. “I remember you. Heard you found your mate.”
“I did,” I said, scowling at him. “Why are you coming in so fucking hot, Steel? Chill out.” I wasn’t above fistfighting a werewolf. Someone needed to kick Steel’s ass every now and then.
Steel crossed to us, staring Layla down as he slammed his claws on the counter. “What Uncle B doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right? I want my mate. Find them for me. Now.”
“What?” she sputtered. “You always said you didn’t want to settle down.”
“I’ve changed my fucking mind.”
Layla’s eyes sparked in a way that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I took a step back as she and Steel glowered at each other. She finished bagging up my pastries and slid them over to me.
“On the house,” she said without looking at me. “You guys should go so you don’t witness me put my cousin in an early grave.”
Steel didn’t laugh. “You owe me one.”
“And? Maybe learn how to ask nicely instead of blackmailing me. Why won’t you go to my dad?”
“Because then everyone will know my business. And I love our family, but I like my privacy. And I know you. I know you’re not gonna listen about not using your powers. Clearly, given the three humans standing here.”
Layla scoffed. “What is your problem? You’re being such a dick.”
He shrugged. “So we have a deal, then.”
“Layla,” I interjected. “Wasn’t there a reason the Barista wanted you to stop? And with the Awakening—”
Steel cut me a look that could have killed me, and it only pissed me off. But before I could swing, I felt Leo’s hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze.
“I’m heading out,” Juliet said.
“Me too,” Leo agreed.
I grabbed my pastry bag, but lingered, even as Leo and Juliet fled quickly.
“I feel bad for whatever human ends up with you,” I said to him.
“Go home to your sea witch,” he snarled.
Before I could say anything, Layla launched herself over the counter and had Steel pinned down on the floor. Her hair burst into flames, every shadow in the room surging to her as if she commanded them.
I stumbled back on my ass in shock.
I felt Marina’s concern for me tug in our bond, and sent her a wave of energy, promising that I was okay. For now.
“Layla!” Steel yelled. “You’re going to hurt me. I’m sorry. Release me. Please.”
“Layla,” I squeaked, staring at her in horror as Steel started to wail and squirm in agony. “Layla!” I shouted. “You’re hurting him!”
She wasn’t herself right now, but I certainly couldn’t stop her.
A ripple suddenly opened in the air beside them. The Barista emerged, but he also was not what I’d imagined. A dark shadowy figure grabbed Layla and yanked her off Steel hard enough that she flew across the room and hit the wall.
“Oh gods,” I gasped, covering my mouth.
The Barista knelt over Steel as his shadow bolted over to Layla. I watched in shock, not sure how to help or what to do.
“Fuck,” the Barista sighed. “Gods fuck all of this shit. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Steel wheezed. He clutched his chest as he sat up, his ears flattening against his head. He looked over at me apologetically. “Demi, I’m sorry. I’m not myself right now and I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I rasped. “Is Layla okay?”
He spun around and materialized next to Layla, who was crumpled on top of a table. There was a hole in the wall.
The Barista immediately shook her, his panic clear. “Layla. Layla, wake up. I’m so sorry I used my shadow, but the form you were taking is dangerous. I’m so sorry.” His voice squeezed with pain. “Fuck, I’m so sorry.”
Layla let out a long groan and sat up, some of her hair singed. “Damn it. Steel, are you okay? I don’t know what happened.”
“I’m okay, Layla. I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I’m going into a rut and it’s turning me mad. I didn’t mean to push you. I’m not normally like this.”
The Barista helped Layla stand and they walked back to Steel, pulling him to his feet.
I was still flat on my ass, though. I was pretty sure my legs were jelly at the moment. I’d never seen anything like that in my life. Were the shadows and fire a Grim Reaper thing?
The door to the cafe suddenly tore open and a woman stepped inside. She was short and petite, with pink hair that brushed her shoulders. Behind her was a tall demon with horns, wings, and a fearful expression.
Wait. Wasn’t the Barista mated to a human? And Lucifer?
“I tried, B,” he said with a wince. “But our mate is very perceptive.”
The Barista immediately froze. “Trixie.”
The woman put her hands on her hips. “I thought we agreed to no secrets in this family.”
“It’s not that I was keeping a secret,” the Barista started. “It’s just that—”
“Save it. Send Demi home, and then everyone get their asses back to our place. Got it?”
“Mom—”
She held up her hand, interrupting Layla. “Don’t even start with me right now, Layla.”
“Aunt Trixie, I’d like to go—”
She hissed at Steel, and he immediately shut up. “Family meeting. Now.”
He groaned. “Fuck.”
“Everyone apologize to Demi,” she said.
Obediently, everyone turned to face me. Even the demon I’d never met before. Is that really Lucifer?
“Sorry for this, Demi,” the Barista said. “I’ll send you home to Marina.”
“I can drive,” I squeaked.
“We can send your car back to your lighthouse too,” he said. “We’ve taken enough of your time.”
“And you can have free coffee here any time you want,” Trixie said sternly, still glaring at the Barista, Layla, and Steel.
Honestly, I wasn’t even going to try arguing with her. I just nodded obediently and the Barista stepped forward, opening a portal for me that ended in the underwater cave.
I stepped through, letting out a squeak as it shut behind me.
Marina was suddenly lifting out of the pool, her eyes wide as she bared her sharp teeth. “Demi. Are you okay? What happened?”
“Yes, I’m okay.” Marina exhaled in relief. I leaned over, kissing her on the lips as I tried to process everything.
“What the hell happened? I could feel your stress through our bond.” She said, letting out a sniffle.
I shook my head, still in shock as I sat down on the edge. “I’m sorry. I’m okay. I really am. I don’t know where to start. I think I just met Lucifer.”
“Lucifer?”
I nodded as she pushed my thighs apart and moved closer. I offered her the pastry bag. “I brought you cookies.”
She let out a bubbly laugh. “All is well then, hmm, my little sailor?”
I opened the package and pulled out a chocolate chip cookie. “I hope so. I’m worried about all of them. Layla, the Barista, that whole family. This Awakening business.”
Marina’s brows drew together, and she nodded. “It worries all of us.”
“What has awakened, Marina?” I asked. “You didn’t seem to know at first, but . . . You know something now, don’t you?”
My mate’s throat bobbed, and she gave a nod. “I remember. I started remembering earlier this morning, although I’m not sure why. But the creature that came up from the depths—it saved us.”
“Who is it?” I asked.
Her whisper echoed through our cave. “Death. The entity Death has awakened.”