Jazz chuckled, clearly amused by the entire exchange.“Yeah, you’re not cousins,” she said, laughing.“That’s not how relatives look at each other.”
I groaned, rubbing my forehead.“Fine.He’s not my cousin.It’s complicated.”
Jazz arched an eyebrow, her grin widening.“Complicated, huh?”
I shot her a warning look, but there was no malice behind it.“Just drop it, okay?”
“Fine, fine,” she said, holding up her hands in mock surrender.She winked at me again before moving back to the pastries, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I pressed on with my day, but I couldn’t shake the lingering effects of Rathiel’s gaze.There was a part of me—buried deep beneath all the anger and confusion—that was drawn to him in a way I didn’t fully understand.Maybe it was the way he’d spoken to me earlier, or the way he kept insisting that he was here to protect me.
Whatever it was, it was making it hard to focus.I took order after order, my mind still spinning with everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.The next time I glanced up, I drew Rathiel’s attention.And this time, neither of us looked away.I held his gaze, searching for something—anything—that would make sense of the conflicting emotions churning inside me.But all I found was that same intensity, that same unspoken connection that seemed to hang between us, as heavy as it was confusing.
Jazz sidled up next to me again, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she caught the silent exchange.“Yeah, definitely not cousins,” she teased, her voice low so only I could hear.“More like ‘I want to rip your clothes off right now’ kind of vibes.”
I stifled a laugh, shaking my head.“You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Just calling it like I see it,” she said with a smirk.“But hey, if you’re not going to make a move, maybe I should.Think he’d go for a blonde?”
This time, I did laugh, the sound easing some of the tension that had settled in my chest.“Good luck with that,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Jazz’s eyes gleamed with mischief, but then she leaned closer and whispered, “All teasing aside, Lil.Just be careful, okay?In my experience, these situations—two guys circling around the same girl—never end well.For anyone involved.”
Her words struck a chord, and I nodded, appreciating her concern.“I know, Jazz.Thanks.”
Jazz gave me a quick, supportive squeeze on the arm before heading back to her duties, leaving me once again with my thoughts and Rathiel’s gaze burning into my back.
ChapterFourteen
The day blurredby in a whirlwind of coffee orders, clinking mugs, and a constant stream of chatter that never seemed to let up.There were times when I’d felt like I was drowning in a sea of caffeine-deprived customers, each one more frantic than the last.The only break I managed was a quick thirty minutes—just long enough to sneak out, grab some lunch, and then dive right back into the chaos.By the time my coffee shop shift finally ended, I was running on fumes.But, of course, there was no chance to catch my breath.After a quick pit stop at home to swap my outfit for something a bit more bar-appropriate, Rathiel and I were back out the door.No amount of convincing or pleading would shake him from my side, so I didn’t even bother arguing this time.
Saturday nights at the bar were always a circus, and tonight was no exception.The place was packed, every corner filled with rowdy groups clamoring for drinks.While I hustled behind the bar, Rathiel set up camp in one of the darkest corners, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.At some point, I managed to slide a glass of virgin blood his way—booze-free, not the “virginal maiden” kind—and earned a quiet thanks.For now, it would have to do, since my boss wasn’t in tonight.No boss meant I couldn’t take any blood home.
A few of my regulars shot me curious looks, clearly wondering who the new guy was.I just shrugged it off and kept working.There was no time to stop and feed the gossip mill, not with the bar this packed.I did, however, notice Mason watching Rathiel from across the room, his lips pressed together in a way that made me uneasy.Now that I knew about the gargoyle’s ability to see energies, I had a feeling he was reading more than Rathiel’s mood.If I had to guess, his aura likely mirrored mine—and the portal’s.Which likely had Mason asking wondering some pretty uncomfortable questions.
Meanwhile, Eliza tracked my every move with unnerving intensity, as if she was determined to uncover all my secrets.She hadn’t once set foot near the bar, but she was also never without a drink—no doubt thanks to her lovely siren charms.At least Eliza and Mason hadn’t crossed paths long enough to discuss recent events and compare notes, which was the only silver lining to this awkward situation.
Mercifully, the night passed without any major drama—no broken bottles, no bar fights, no shapeshifting—and when closing time finally rolled around, I was more than ready to get out of there.Cleaning up and cashing out took another hour, but soon enough, Rathiel and I were stepping out into the crisp night air and empty streets.A quick glance at my phone had me wincing—we only had one hour left before the bus service stopped running for the night.
Usually, I didn’t love winter.But tonight, the cool air was a welcome relief after the stifling heat inside the bar.Rathiel and I walked in silence, the only sound that of our boots crunching in the snow.The quiet between us felt almost companionable, a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere we’d just left behind.I stole a few glances at Rathiel as we walked, his gaze scanning the surroundings with a sharpness that reminded me just how different he was from the humans I’d spent the last decade blending in with.
We turned the corner, and I was just starting to unwind when I collided with something—or rather,someone.I stumbled back, my immediate reaction to apologize dying on my lips as I looked up.The man I’d bumped into was tall, broad-shouldered, and when our eyes met, a cold shiver ran down my spine.An awareness tingled within me, one that suggested he was paranormal.But there was something else off about him, something that had every alarm bell ringing in my head.
“Watch it,” he muttered, his voice low and gravelly as he brushed past me, not bothering to stop or even look back.
Before I could respond, Rathiel took a step toward him, his lip curling in warning as his fangs peeked out.His entire posture screamed danger, his protective instincts flaring up.
I slapped a hand against his chest, stopping him before he could escalate the situation.“Easy, tiger,” I said, forcing a smile toward the retreating man.“It’s fine.”
The man glanced back for the briefest second before continuing down the street, oblivious to the tension he’d stirred.
Rude, much?I rolled my eyes, then continued down the street.I gave Rathiel a side glance.He still watched the guy, muscles tense.It wasn’t until I touched his arm that he let out a slow exhale and followed beside me.
“This place is so different from home,” Rathiel finally commented, his voice a low rumble that barely cut through the quiet night.
I laughed softly, the sound breaking the tension in the air.“Yeah, up here you can’t rip innocents apart because they bump into me,” I teased.
Rathiel huffed, the smallest smirk curling his lips.“Wouldn’t dream of it.”After another minute, he added, “But it’s not just that.It’s louder.Busier.Brighter.”
