Starfire (Grim Gate 2)

Never trust a vampire.

“Whoa.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Talk about a head-rush.”

“What are you remembering?”

“A lot of little things.” I look up at Ethan. “Like witchcraft 101 type of stuff.” Closing the book, I put my hand on the cover. “And now I’m starving.”

“Want to go out for breakfast?” Ethan asks.

“Yeah. In Thorne Hill? I want to stop at the bookstore on the way home.”

“Oh shit.” I flip a pretty purple book over, reading the back. We’re in the car on the way home after stopping by Novel Grounds. The blonde woman named Kristy wasn’t there today, disappointing me more than I thought it would.

“What’s wrong?”

“This is book two in the series.”

Ethan chuckles. “And you didn’t notice it at the time?”

“No. The cover was pretty so I grabbed it. Guess I’ll have to go back and get book one another time.”

“Oh, darn,” he deadpans and reaches over, taking my hand. I’m still feeling pretty good, but the reality of what’s going on hangs heavy above us. We’re not much closer to figuring this out, and it’s only a matter of time before it sinks its claws into me again. I put the book back in the bag and look at the other I bought, reading a few pages before putting it back in the bag as well. Reading in the car makes me feel a little sick.

We try to go on with our lives when we get home, though instead of going to the gym, Ethan works out in the basement, using my untouched weights and treadmill. We spend a good twenty minutes in the attic again, and get another box full of stuff to donate, as well as taking a bedroom set that was designed in the heyday of the 1980s outside so we can take it to Goodwill another day. The bed of my truck is currently full of bags of bedding for the horses, and I don’t feel like dealing with it right now. Plus, I’ve already changed into sweats and don’t feel like getting dressed to go out again.

“Rene texted you,” Ethan says, handing me my phone that I left upstairs.

“Oh, thanks.” I read her text. “She wants to hang out.”

“You should invite her over,” Ethan says eagerly.

“You want her to come over and babysit, don’t you?”

“Not babysit, just keep you company and can, ya know, make sure demonic fog doesn’t pull you into oncoming traffic.”

I cock an eyebrow. “I’m capable, Ethan.”

“You are. You’re one of the most capable people I know.”

“But?”

He lets out a sign and plows his hand through his hair. “But you’re losing time and reality. It can be dangerous, and I’m worried.”

“I am too. It’s messed up the black fog in the doorbell cam surveillance brings me comfort, I know. But it shows I’m not crazy.”

“No, you’re not. Something is messing with you, and we’re going to find out what it is. In the meantime, I don’t think it would hurt to install sensors on the doors and a few more cameras around the house. If Rene comes over, I can run out and grab them without worrying something will happen to you.”

“I agree. And she said she can pick up pasta on the way.”

“The way to your heart.”

“I do like pasta.” I try not to smile. “And I’d like to hang out. Really.” I wasn’t a social butterfly before, but I do miss having friends. And now I have one who’s more than willing to not only accept who I am but to learn everything she can about it. “I’ll let her know to come over.”

Ethan kisses me, and we get back to almost normal. I’m vacuuming when Rene comes over Hunter lets me know she’s here.

“Hey!” I say, opening the front door right as she reaches for the doorbell.

“Hey!” She holds up the bag of takeout. “They accidentally doubled my order of garlic bread.”

“Not a problem.” I laugh. “I freaking love garlic bread.”

“Same.” Rene comes inside and takes off her shoes. “I tried to be gluten-free last year and it did not work out well.”

I laugh and shut the door behind her. “There are good gluten-free options now.”

“There are. I’m just lazy.”

I take the food from her so she can get her shoes and coat off, taking it into the kitchen. Hunter greets Rene, tail wagging wildly back and forth. Ethan comes down the rear staircase, never missing an opportunity for free food. He heads into town once we’re done, and I open a bottle of red wine, taking it into the living room with Rene and me.

“Do you get the PV paper?” Rene asks as I search through movies to watch.

“No,” I tell her. “Why?”

“Oh, it was just the article today.” She unlocks her phone, talking as she looks it up. “There was some old man found in Newport last night. He was locked inside his own apartment and had his skin eaten off.” She shudders. “They think his Yorkie and his cat did it. So gross.”