Page 43 of Slayer

CHAPTER

SEVEN

I awoke to the smell of something sweet lingering in the air. I groaned, rolling over to realize I was in a strange bed. I sat upright in a panic, my heart pounding as everything came back to me. I was at Harper’s, vampires were real, and the school had been attacked by them last night.

The door burst open and I yelped, fisting the dagger tighter under the covers, breath hitching in my throat.

“Haaaaapppy birthday to youuuuu,” Harper and Luna sang in unison as my heart slowed its hammering in my chest and I tried to relax.

They were walking toward me with…black…cinnamon rolls? The pastries were swirled like a cinnamon roll and smelled like them too, but the dough and icing were ink black.

I grinned at Luna as they shoved the plate of warm rolls in my face and finished their song.

“Are those goth cinnamon rolls?” I asked.

Luna nodded with pride. “I left poison out of the recipe.” She winked.

“She used charcoal powder, so they’re totally edible and super delish. Happy birthday, Stella. We’re glad you’re here,” Harper told me as I took the plate, clearing my throat.

“Thanks.” I shifted uncomfortably. I wasn’t used to all this nicey-nice stuff.

I grabbed a roll and napkin and ate it in bed as Harper and Luna ate theirs next to me, legs tucked under them. They were delicious and didn’t taste black at all, not that black was a taste, but they were totally normal.

I chuckled to myself.

“What?” Luna asked, her teeth stained with black frosting.

I burst into laughter. “I just never thought I’d have black cinnamon rolls for my birthday.”

Luna grinned. “Well, get used to it, because black pastries are my specialty.”

A warm feeling settled in my chest.

‘Get used to it?’

Like if I stayed, we would all remain friends?

I hoped so.

After brushing my teeth and changing into some of Harper’s clothes, I met everyone out in the living room.

Celia and Professor Walters were talking in hushed voices, standing close together near the couch. When I entered, Celia spun to me. She walked right over, placed a hand on either side of my shoulders, and met my gaze.

“I heard you saved Derek’s life last night. Thank you, Stella.” Her voice caught, eyes going misty.

Derek?

I gave her a confused expression, cocking my head to the side.

“My husband,” she clarified. “He said you stormed the stage and saved his life.”

I gave Professor Walters a sheepish look.

“Oh, I didn’t really, Asher was the one⁠—”

He stepped toward me. “You got there first. The bloodsucker was about to rip my throat out, and you stopped him,” the professor said quietly.

“Thank you,” Celia said again, shaking me a little like she wanted to make sure those words took root.