Page 6 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

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.

3

Ibalanced a tray of empty glasses above the chaos, weaving through sweaty bodies toward the bar. Vortex pulsed around me—bass thrumming through my bones, supernatural patrons shouting over music that could wake the dead.

“Rose! There you are,” a voice yelled, barely loud enough over the noise. Kaylee rushed over, breathing hard, and slammed her tray onto the bar’s edge beside mine.

“Kaylee. Hey.” I tried to muster my usual level of enthusiasm, but it fell flat.

I took in her rapid breathing and light sheen of sweat on her warm brown skin. She was sporting a deep burgundy lipstick and had straightened her hair to twice its normal length until it was sleek and shiny.

Like me, she was one of the few other humans employed at Vortex.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow night,” she gasped out, clutching her side and smiling. “I need a break from this shit. Did you guys need me to bring anything?”

“Oh, crap. I almost forgot.”

Her face fell. “Did something happen?” Taking my wrist, she pulled me toward the hallway leading to some of the VIP balcony boxes. It was only mildly quieter. “What’s wrong?”

“Vivi had to fly home earlier.”

“Wait…what? Is everything okay?”

“Things are fine. Cameron’s engagement fell through.”

“Oh, damn! What happened?”

“Her fiancé cheated.”

“That asshole! Ugh.”

“I know.”