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Chapter Seventeen
In the four nights since she’d discovered that one of the monsters that killed her family was still alive, Lilly had ended up staying with Talan. There was something about him that made her feel safe. Even his friends had rallied around her.
Lachlan had been incredibly angry on her behalf, which was really sweet of him. Other than her brief association with Talan, he had no reason to care about her past but he’d been very kind. So kind, in fact, that she almost regretted making him drink the Clan MacGregor. Almost.
Stefano had been another story altogether, though. He’d been so contrite and sincere in his apology that it had brought her to tears. For a man who had no idea, he had taken a lot of blame onto himself. He’d been concerned that she would let Colette color her perception of the Transfigured as a whole.
She had admitted that it was a consideration. She though
t differently about her safety now, having put a face to the laugh that had haunted her for so long. However, she didn’t look at all of the Transfigured and see them as the enemy. Just like all humans weren’t killers or rapists, only a small subset were. The only real difference between those outliers, both human and Transfigured, were physical.
She had read between the lines pretty quickly. It wasn’t really the entire group, it was Talan that Stefano was concerned about. She could tell from the way he phrased the apology that he was worried he might have inadvertently ruined something for his friend. He needn’t have been though.
Talan had been her rock. Her North Star. He’d held her and comforted her without any hesitation. Hell, he’d cried alongside her. The fact that he empathized with her pain so completely still left her in awe.
She was even more eager than usual to see Talan tonight because according to his text earlier, Stefano had a call set for earlier this evening with the Doniphan County District Attorney. When she’d gone on her break, Talan had been embroiled in some dispute on the casino floor. He had caught her eye and given her that “I’m stuck” look, so she hadn’t been able to get any details yet.
Instead, she talked with Daniel while she waited. Rob had just left. Since the evening with the palm reading, they had gotten into the habit of coming in near the same time. It was nice to see them becoming friends. She had always picked up a lonely vibe from Daniel. And God knew, from what she’d heard about Roger’s life, he could certainly use a friend.
A couple of nights ago, Daniel had point blank asked her what was wrong. It had to have been written all over her face. It was no surprise to her that he’d picked up on it. She had given him some vague detail—just that her family had been slaughtered and that she’d recently come into contact with one of the killers.
He’d been shocked and sympathetic. He hadn’t given her that sad, pitying look though. She was thankful for that. He’d simply listened to her, been appropriately disgusted, and then hopeful that she’d find peace.
She was shaken out of her reverie when Daniel spoke. “Any news yet?” he asked when the last of the crowds left.
“None so far. Apparently there’s a phone call set tonight to figure out what, if anything, they can do. Sorry if I seem anxious. I’m just waiting.”
“Totally understandable. Did I mention that Roger came into the shop and let my sister read his tarot cards?”
Lilly laughed and remarked, “You really swayed him with palm reading stuff, I think. Next thing you know he’ll be inviting you to a drum circle in his backyard.”
He shot her a dry look and said, “Now, don’t you mock the power of a drum circle. All of those people in one place. That’s a lot of energy focused on one thing. It can be really powerful.”
“Ehh,” she said. “Not my thing.”
“How do you know if it’s your thing if you’ve never tried it?”
“No rhythm. I’m positive. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve there with the drum circle,” she said apologetically.
Daniel leaned in and said, “I’m aware that everyone thinks I’m a little strange. It doesn’t bother me in the least. I’ve been that way my whole life. At a certain point, it was more painful trying to fit in than just embracing the weird.”
“That’s a pretty smart way of looking at it. It’s probably healthier to embrace the weird in the end anyway. You’re the only person that has to live with you. May as well enjoy it, right?”
He nodded in agreement and then said, “Much as I enjoy our talks, I’m going to head out. I’ve got an early reading tomorrow and I’ve seen your eyes drift to that textbook behind the bar three or four times now as…”
“Midterms,” she said. “I’m sorry. If you want to stay, then please do. I don’t get many customers in the bar anyway. I think I’d probably get in trouble for chasing one off.”
As usual, he gave her that stoic nod and then asked, “What’s the damage tonight?”
“Twenty-three dollars,” she said, feeling a tiny bit guilty for making him feel he had to leave.
When he handed her cash, she counted out the change. As she turned around, the door to the bar opened. She opened her mouth to give a greeting and froze when she saw Colette. Shit. She looked angry, too. She needed Talan. There was no way she would be able to handle herself alone with Colette. If she was intent on hurting her, then Colette was too strong and too vicious. She needed to get word to Talan and had no idea what to do. Lilly needed to communicate that to Daniel somehow. Maybe he could get security? But how?
Hands shaking, she went with impulse and handed Daniel his change. Giving him a polite smile, she said, “There you go, Matthew. It was good to see you again. Tell Cathy I said hello.”
He narrowed his eyes and then gave her a nod. “You too,” he said. Sliding a couple of bills back on the bar for her, he frowned at her and then left.
God, she really hoped he had gotten the message. Now Lilly needed to figure out how to get out of the front door.
