I’m technically able to consume human drinks, but they force my body to function like a witch’s would. It’s alarming to feel the need to urinate when that’s not something I normally do.
Does this mean I’m going to have to pretend to eat human food? Like buy groceries to leave in the refrigerator or something?
I’m used to living in a house where several of my family members ate human food, while the majority of us sustained ourselves on other things like blood, sins, or souls.
“If you’re not down for being seen in public with me, you can just say that,” Annex says, drawing me out of my thoughts. “We could hang out in the kitchen at home and hash it out.”
My brow furrows.
Why would he think that I wouldn’t want to be seen with him? I have no qualms about that. I’m just not sure how I’m supposed to successfully masquerade as a witch in front of a roommate. I mostly manage it in public, but at home, it’s another story.
“I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you, if that’s what you’re insinuating.” My head tilts as I study his handsome face. The buzz of discomfort that wafts off him makes me even more curious what hurt he’s masking. “I was just contemplating when we would manage that. Our schedules are opposite, but if we can find time one night after I’m off and before you go into the club, I would be okay with coffee.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re a tough nut to crack, Hazel.” He disappears from sight, but I can still sense him. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Chapter Two
Hazel
Loneliness wasn’t something I experienced as a child. Growing up in a big family, there was always someone around. Even now, I could siphon home and check on my family or visit friends in Haven, but I feel like I have the plague.
In reality, I’m contaminated by an overzealous angel. Still, I don’t want to put those I care about in the line of sight of one of those judgmental assholes. That’s why I avoid popping into Haven, even when I head out to feed after work.
Annex doesn’t show up by the time I have to leave to head to work the next day, but I leave a note on my door, pointing out which room is mine.
There are six bedrooms total.
One is still unusable since it was Greer’s grandmother’s room. It still has some of her stuff, but he can pick from any of the others. Although the rent might be different for the ones that have an attached bathroom. I’m sure he discussed that with Greer directly, though.
I’m bent over, polishing a shelf that holds some rare type of crystal, when the bell above the door jingles. If I were better at pretending to be a witch, I wouldn’t have to read the name and info cards Lisette made as a cheat sheet just to know which is which.
I don’t even have to turn around to know it’s Lance. If his soul vibration wasn’t familiar, his scent would give him away. He always smells like patchouli and something fruity, which isn’t the most natural combination, but he has good energy. He’s not appealing to my monster in the least, meaning he doesn’t have many sins weighing him down, at least not any of the serious ones.
“Oh, Hazel, nice to see you,” he says as I turn to face him. His expression is at odds with his words, but I’m used to that. Even in human form, I make some beings uncomfortable, no matter how hard I try to put them at ease. “I believe you might have something for me?”
“Hey, Lance, yeah, let me check the back. I know I saw your package. I thought you were coming in yesterday, for some reason.” I drop the cleaning cloth and spin around to head to the storeroom.
Lance is handsome enough in humanoid form, but I can imagine that he’s truly stunning when he’s shifted. He’s a merman, which must be hard on him. The ocean is a bit of a hike from Black Cove, although there are hot springs that bubble up under the mountains. There’s also a pretty large river that feeds a small inlet, which must be where the town got its name. If I were an aquatic monster, I think I’d want to be right on the beach.
Maybe that’s just me.
He does seem very happy here, even if he has to come in weekly for an ointment that Lisette concocted to help with his skin irritation.
I locate his package and head back to the front of the store.
Lance makes awkward small talk as I check him out, leaving a note for the same order next week. I’m just shoving the receipt into the register when the bell above the door jingles. At first, I assume it’s the merman leaving, but the energy changes.
Lance and the man exchange pleasantries, and I breathe through the panic that claws at my chest.
I could siphon, but with the angel this close, there’s every possibility that he would be able to follow me. Tracking someone’s siphon isn’t a skill I possess, but his power level tells me he’s ancient—like maybe even as old as my dads.
The only thing keeping me from blowing my cover is the knowledge he can’t sense me when I’m in human form. If he could, he would have cornered me when he and his lackeys converged on Haven. They spent weeks just waiting for me to mess up.
It’s like they can sense the vibration pattern of my monster when I feed, but not me as I am now.
It’s bizarre.
And lucky.
