Harry drove an olderFord pickup truck that rattled a little bit as he drove. It was an odd change from the way he was dressed. Casually expensive and with mussed hair that probably took him a long time to perfect, Harry didn't really match his vehicle. Not that everyone did, but usually an aspect of people's personalities were reflected in their cars. I couldn't see him being too low maintenance, though he did have a good sense of humor. Maybe that was it. Driving this old beast around kept himhumble.
The old Ford rumbled into the parking lot of one of the only seafood houses we had here in this town. I'd never been here before because it was a little on the pricey side, but I had the money now that I was working again. Well...wasworking. I wasn't sure what was going to happen now that my identity was out in the open for everyone to discover. I jumped out of the truck before Harry could make it around to open the door for me and was immediately met with the stares of people walking back to theircars.
I blushed red before I could stop myself and Harry, noticing what was happening, came over, slung and arm around my shoulders and propelled me forward, leaning down to fiercely whisper in myear.
"Ignore them. None of us should have to feel ashamed for what weare."
I took a deep breath, nodded, and let him walk me up to the wrap around porch entrance of the restaurant. When we walked in, we were greeted by a bubbly blonde with the chartreuse green eyes that marked her as a feline shifter. Her smile slightly fell away when she noticed it was me, but something remarkably like sympathy appeared on her face. She grabbed two menus and leaned over to quietly ask if we'd like a secludedbooth.
I breathed my thanks and she nodded for us to follow her. The woman sat us in the very back of the restaurant in a booth that concealed our presence from the rest of the patrons. Though some people noticed my presence, most were so content in their food and conversation that we passed byunnoticed.
She handed us our menus, whispered good luck, and told us our waitress would be by in a moment. She frowned and then said, "You know what. Let me run back to the kitchen real quick and get you someone who's reallygood."
I flashed a grateful smile at her while trying to ignore the sympathy on Harry'sface.
Moments later, our hostess came back with a tall, elegant man who'd look more at home as a dancer than a restaurant worker. His body was lean and coiled with power though I couldn't make out what kind of creature hewas.
"Greetings," he said. His voice was sybillant and quiet, but as he spoke, something shimmered around us. My gaze flew back to his and he smiled. "I am an illusion witch," he said quietly. "People will see what I want them to. Please try to enjoy your meal. No one will interruptyou."
Tears shimmered in my eyes. "What's your name?" I askedhim.
"Gregoire," he said and gave me a slight bow. "I own this restaurant, and I am well versed to unwanted attention in my career field." He shrugged. "The illusion magic. Not the restaurant business. You wouldn't believe how many people wanted to hire me to do something shady for them." He flashed a quick grin. "I'm pleased to take care of youtoday."
After that he asked for our drink order and left us toit.
I let out a sigh of relief. "This is the worst," Imuttered.
Harry's eyes crinkled at the edges as he gave me a sad smile. "It will pass, Katie. People always love something new and shiny. In a week's time, you won't have to worry about the ever ending line of traffic at your door. Eventually you'll be able to act like nothinghappened."
I stared at him. "Eventually? Gosh, that'scomforting."
Harry chuckled ruefully. "Unfortunately, you are blessed with a power people cannot even begin to fathom. You're a source of fascination for themnow."
"They could have just came to the shop if they wanted something," Igrumbled.
"And miss the opportunity to ingratiate themselves into your good graces and get it for free?" hesaid.
I laughed, but I wasn't amused. "People are theworst."
"People are predictable," Harry said. "I don't think you are naive enough to believe something like this wouldn'thappen."
I sighed. "Of course I'm not. But a steady procession of people at my door?" I frowned at Harry. "Doesn't that seem like something out of amovie?"
Gregoire interrupted us by bringing our drinks. He set my iced tea down in front of me. Harry ordered a Bloody Mary and as Gregoire set it down, the smell of tomato juice wafted over to me. I wrinkled my nose. I never understood that drink. It looked like blood and smelled even worse. We rattled off our orders and as Gregoire walked away, Harry picked up ourconversation.
"Being a jinn in this town was already strange, as I'm sure you can attest to by the amount of business your bar gets. But now that people know who you really are?" He shook his head. "If they don't want to be your friend, they probably want to marry you." He stirred his drink with the celery stick shoved inside of it. The red clinging to the vegetable gave me the shudders. "It's going to be a difficult transition for you, I'm sorry tosay."
At my glare, he laughed. "The least I can do is be honest with you. This willsuck."
I added an indecent amount of sugar to my tea, annoyed that I couldn't get sweet tea anywhere in Midnight Cove. "I just want to work and come home to a house where the doorbell neverrings."
"I'll drink to that," Harry said and lifted up his Bloody Mary. We clinked glasses and settled into a comfortablesilence.
10
Martin
When I sawwho showed up at Katie's door, it took everything I had not to send a wrench hurtling through the house right at Harry Lupin's stupid head. Of all the smarmy assholes to show up trying to woo her, it had to be him. I grit my teeth hard to keep from saying something as Katie grabbed her purse and sailed out the door withhim.
