Atotallyproportionate reaction to the situation.
And now the sword took issue with my actions.
What the actual fuck?
I rubbed my face, my breath coming in short, panicked bursts.
“So we were wrong about Bob being nonbinary?” Vivien mused.
“Yes, but that’s not the point. The sword is literally talking to me or I’m having a nervous breakdown.”
“Have you been nervous?” she asked. I could hear she was taken aback.
“No,” I answered automatically. “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.” I covered my mouth, contemplating how much to say. Would I tell Vivien? She was my best friend. If anyone taught me it was safe to divulge about sexual encounters, it was her. But that was different. It was her and it didn’t seem to make her vulnerable. Something about what I’d just done felt so completely shameful, I didn’t know if I could even tell her.
For a brief moment, I was grateful for the talking sword to divert my attention from my issues with Xander.
Maybe it was time to invest in a therapist.
“Okay, okay, okay,” she chanted as if trying to pull it all together. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m gonna wrap up my bullshit with the baby vamps and you are going to meet me at Sinopolis and we are going to get some answers.”
“Okay,” I agreed weakly. I felt lost. I never felt lost. I always had direction, duty, and my shit together. I had it so together, I had it together for everyone else. But in this moment, I could only follow my friend’s orders and try not to think about anything.
Thirty minutes later, I strode into the grand lobby of Sinopolis. I tried to ignore the rioting feelings inside me at knowing what lay far below my feet.
Vivien was already there waiting for me, decked out in a red mini dress and knee-high boots.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked.
“We are going to take a little visit to someone who would know all about Bob.” Then she said in a hushed whisper. “Is he still talking to you?”
Maybe I had overreacted. Maybe it was a little mini mental break after what happened with Xander, and I just needed a chill night at home to restore my sanity. This was all unnecessary and I was being silly.
“Oh, she could put her hands around my hilt anytime,” Bob said.
My face scrunched. Apparently, Bob was a bit pervy too. “Please tell me you heard that.”
Vivien’s green eyes narrowed in confusion. “No.”
Dammit.
“Bob is definitely still running his non-existent mouth.”
She twisted her lips and nodded solemnly. “I see invisible reaper dogs no one else can see, so I totally get you.” Then her expression turned thoughtful as she tapped her lower lip. “Maybe that’s why we’re friends? Bonded by the crazy.”
I was about to respond when a dark shadow advanced from behind her. With a quick look around, I noticed how suddenly empty the lobby was. A spike of cold fear shot through my stomach.
Then the dark mass came into focus, and I recognized Grim in his black suit. He held a finger to his lips, motioning for me to keep silent.
But Vivien already noticed I’d become distracted. Her eyes widened as she whipped around, arm swinging to land a punch.
Grim easily caught it. She threw out the other fist and he twisted her by the first arm until her back was to him. She tried to kick him, but he dodged out of the way. Their movements were concise and supernaturally fast as they fought.
Grim locked down both of her wrists in one hand behind her back, forcing her to face me again. The whites of Vivien’s eyes nearly swallowed her irises as if she knew what terrible fate was about to befall her.
A fluffy white pillow poofed against her face with a gentle pat. When it dropped away, Vivien still wore the same stunned expression.
“That makes six to four,” Grim said in a low rumbling voice before dropping a kiss on her cheek. He released her arms and turned to me. “Hello Miranda. I’d stay to chat, but my staying would only put me in danger.”
