“I don’t really remember her. What I do recall I wonder if I’ve just imagined it from the photo I have of her.”
His eyes widened. “Do you have the photograph here?”
It was still in my purse. I lifted my purse from the table, opened the zipper and reached inside for the faded-blue envelope. I passed it to him.
His hands shook as he took out the photo.
“That’s her all right. So very beautiful. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Looking at my father’s expression, I wondered if he’d ever properly moved on from my mother. There was a desperation in his eyes, a need.
“You married, right? But didn’t have any family?”
A grunt of a laugh came from his mouth. “We tried but nothing happened. When we had tests, they said my count had dropped and it would be impossible for me to father a child. Looks like the succubus drained me of a few things. My wife left me as she wanted children more than she wanted me.”
“So then you opened the bookstore. Does it do okay?”
“It does fantastic. Mainly through online sales. The store itself can be quiet. I sell vintage books and have a room just for supernatural books, grimoires, etc. I have to be careful who I let into that room. There are protection spells in place to make sure I’m not tricked into losing an antique.”
“So you know a lot about the supernatural world. Have you ever been tempted to become one? Like a vampire maybe?”
“Like you?”
I straightened. “How can you…?”
“I just told you. I have magic in place, spells. Everyone who walks into the store emits auras of different hues that I can read to know what they are. Yours shone both orange for your succubus side and a dark green for the vampire one. How long ago did you turn? It’s fainter than usual, so I’m guessing it was recent?”
“A few days ago.”
“So, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that your new boyfriends are vampires too, right?”
“It’s not for me to disclose if they are anything at all.”
He smiled, while handing me the photo back. “You don’t need to tell me anything. You see, Serena, you say your journalistic skills come from your succubus side, but I’m meticulous at research. Maybe you just inherited your father’s genes?”
It would take some getting used to that this guy was my father.
Taking a glance at my wristwatch I realized I should make a move. “I should go.” I paused. “What do we do now?”
“That’s entirely up to you. I can only hope you’ll stay in touch.”
It was strange. I’d only just met this man but he felt like home. I wanted to get to know him better.
“This is going to seem a little crazy, but do you have someone who could mind the shop, and do you like beaches?”
12
Carter
It was my second day at work and I’d been in my trailer for hours, waiting to shoot a scene. God it was boring. I was questioning my whole acting gig. We’d been on set since 5am and here until late evening yesterday. I was already missing the surf. My body craved it, and with Serena gone as well, I felt all kinds of fucked up.
Why had I engaged my mouth before my brain and come out with all the marriage stuff? Yes, I wanted to make her mine, well ours, but she was right, I’d not brought it up with the other guys. Plus, I think most women liked a proposal rather than someone just announcing it like they’d had a great idea for a new surf move.
A knock sounded on my trailer door. Oh thank God, time to get out of here. Except it wasn’t. As I opened the door, I saw it was one of the other actresses who played the lead’s mortal enemy.
“Oh, hey, Maya.”
“Can I come hang? I’m so bored.”