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“It’s perfect…as long as I survive it.”
Parker looks up at the place, considering. “You should be all right. Enough people know about the crazy little human now. Plus, you’re with me. Even if we got jumped by everyone in there, I should be able to get you out.”
I’m not sure if I want to comment more on the cockiness of that statement or his use of the wordshould. In the end, my need for food wins out, and I choose to worry about neither. “Whatever. I’m hungry enough I’m willing to risk it.”
Inside, the place is dim but surprisingly clean. A counter lines the back wall of the dining area, and a row of dark green vinyl booths runs along the front of the building. There’s not much room for anything else.
The place is fairly busy with a variety of underworlders. Like with the club, a lot of them have dropped their human glamours and look like the creatures they really are. All conversation stops when I walk in. Some recognize me from the club and quickly go back to their meals. Others openly gawk. I shrug it off. After the last few weeks working at Underworld, I’m used to being stared at.
A tall man with gray skin that looks almost like stone grins at me from behind the counter. The smile is creepy, considering this man has the face of a goblin and several horns protruding from his head. He’s also got thin, leathery wings tucked behind him and a set of razor-sharp claws on his hands. “Ah, Parker, you’ve brought me something new to cook.”
I snort. His words are disturbing, and I don’t doubt he’d probably roast a human if he could get away with it, but I can tell he recognizes me. I trust Terrance’s reputation to keep me safe. Parker doesn’t appreciate the joke, though. His arm slides around my shoulders in a protective grip. “Skinny, this is Terrance’s human,” he says by way of introduction.
“Ah. The crazy one who works at the club.”
“Nora,”I say, rolling my eyes. “My name is Nora. Not Terrance’s human, or the crazy human. Just Nora.”
Skinny’s smile spreads so wide it seems to pull his face out of proportion. A long, thin lizard-like tongue shoots out, licking his entire chin. “Sexy and feisty. I like it. Welcome to my joint. No fighting inside. If you’re going to start something, take it to the parking lot. And eat my food at your own risk. Word to the wise: stay away from the fey and demon food.”
“Do you serve human food here?” I ask, suddenly worried I’ll starve tonight.
Skinny shrugs. “Enough. Shifters and magic users eat pretty similar. You’ll be fine if you just stay away from the magic and the poison.”
I nod and say, “Thanks for the heads up,” even though I would have been smart enough to avoid those things anyway.
Parker ushers me to an open booth, and we slide in across from one another. Most people have gone back to their own business. Only a couple still stare. Parker ignores them, so I do, too.
“So…” I grab a laminated menu from the side of the booth. “What’s good here that I can eat without turning into an animal or being cursed or whatever?”
“Stick to the burgers or steaks. Stay away from anything you can’t pronounce.”
“I’m always up for steak and potatoes.”
“Then you’ll be fine.”
Skinny quickly comes to take our orders. I get the steak, and Parker, thankfully, doesn’t order any blood, though it’s on the menu. Conversation doesn’t get awkward until after our food comes and I take my first bite. The steak is the best I’ve ever had, and I moan with pleasure. “Mm, this right here is worth all the shit I’ve been through since I got caught up in the underworld.”
Parker smiles. “Has it really been so bad?”
I smirk. “Well, let’s see. Aside from all the drama with Henry, Elijah kidnapped me and stabbed me. Then there was that faerie who strangled me. Oh, and of course Josephine tortured and nearly killed me. But I’m still kickin’, and I got myself a nice new coat. So, you know, not too bad, no.”
Parker looks horrified. I haven’t really done much to ease the awkwardness. Oops. Guess I’m feeling unsettled because of our earlier kiss. When I’m out of sorts, I tend to get bitchy. I feel bad about snarking, so I backpedal and try to soften my attitude. “Actually, despite everything, I’m doing better than I have…well…ever. I’ve got a great new place to live, and I’ve got friends for the first time in my life. It’s strange that I’ve finally found where I belong, and it took becoming part of the underworld to do it.”
“Makes sense since I think you’re really an underworlder. Plus, with your powers, even if you are human, you still fit in better with us than in the human world.”
My smile becomes a little more genuine. “I’ll admit it is very cool to not have to hide the fact that I’m different. Now if I could only figure out the why and how, and find a way to break my curse, I’d be all set.”
Parker’s brows draw low over his eyes, and he leans forward over the booth. “What curse?”
I cringe. I hadn’t meant to bring that up. But since I kissed him and then freaked out earlier, it’s only polite to explain it to him. “It’s not a curse, necessarily. I just draw people in.”
Parker grins, and it reaches his eyes. “I’ve noticed.”
I can’t help returning his smile. “I’m serious. It’s—”
I’m interrupted when someone steps up to our booth and clears his throat. Rage bubbles up inside me at the sight of Henry, Parker’s clan leader and sire. “Well, isn’t this cozy,” he says with a pinched smile. After giving Parker a hard look, he smiles at me again. This one is real. “Hello, Nora. It’s lovely to see you again.”
I grit my teeth and manage not to cuss at the jerk. “Wish I could say the same, Henry, but I was kind of hoping we’dneversee each other again.”
