Because he made me feel things I haven’t felt since my assassin days. It was as if someone I had been tracking came into my proximity…except I haven’t tracked anyone inyears.
These are sensations I’ve long since forgotten—ones I didn’t want to remember.
Didn’t want tofeelagain.
I’ve been quite content with my more human. Tamer, calmer, more…normal. Demon emotions are so intense, so overwhelming.
The bell above the door to my store, Tranquil, chimes. I blink a few times, bringing myself back to reality.
Hot-pink hair bounds toward me. Raya gives me a small smile as she approaches the front counter.
“We still on for our movie night tonight?” she asks, giving me a small smile.
I raise a brow, not sure why she’s even questioning our plans. “Ofcourse. What food are we feeling tonight? Pizza from Italy, or maybe some dumplings, wontons, and dim sum right from China?”
She tilts her head, eyeing me. “Chinese sounds great.”
“I’ll go get it after I close up the shop.” I give her one firm nod. “Did you need more essential oils? I thought you just got some more lavender.”
With a shake of her head, she says, “No, I just came to see if we were still on for tonight.”
Raya, who will avoid unnecessary trips into the heart of town, came to my shop just to make sure we still have plans tonight? How…strange.
“That couldn’t have been a text?” I laugh, narrowing my eyes at her.
Both eyebrows fly up her forehead, and she tilts her head more. “Ididtext you. You didn’t answer.”
I blink at her. “No way. Ialwaysrespond to you.”
“Well, it was two hours ago.” She eyes me again, and my tail flicks behind me. “Something on your mind, Orie?”
Shaking my head, I pull out my phone. “No, what would be? And there’s no way I didn’t answer a text from two…” As I stare down at the screen, I see the text from her beaming up at me—alongside two missed phone calls. How did I not feel any of the vibrations from them?
Have I really beenthatlost in thought?
“It’s been a busy day, that’s all.” I make an excuse, but as my eyes dart away from her, I can tell she doesn’t buy it.
She doesn’t push me, just stands straighter and nods a few times. “Okay, well, I will see you later, then.”
“Is Arman joining us for dinner and our movie?” I call out as she crosses the store.
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she shakes her head. “No, he’s going to go to New Bria for a few days to visit some former business partners. Apologies he owes, or something.”
“Okay, girl’s night it is.” I grin, tapping my fingers against the counter.
She stops when she reaches the door, looking back one more time. “Oh, andpleasedon’t make me leave my house again this week.”
After a laugh and a roll of my eyes, she leaves, and my mind instantly wanders to the man who’s just arrived in town.
He’s handsome, even I’ll admit it. I studied every visible inch of him over and over again from the shadows.
His brown hair parts in the middle, resting just above the golden frames of his glasses. He has a close-cut beard and mustache that surround full lips.
While his clothes looked worn—and were covered in dry paint—and his peachy skin looked soft. I wonder if it really is.
And if heissoft to the touch, ishesoft? Or is he something dangerous wrapped in a pretty package?
The answer is clear—danger.
