Page 36 of Friends With the Monsters
“Well, he fed me when I was little, did you know that?” I don’t bother waiting for her to answer, I just keep going. “He never let me see him, so I didn’t know who he was until the other day, then he and two other people—” I wince, that doesn’t sound right. “Beings,” I amend, still not liking that term to describe them, “kind of let the cat out of the bag, saying they’ve been watching me. That there’s some bargain or deal that has something to do with me.”
“You don’t say?” Mary fluffs the pristine, flowy white sleeves of her shirt, staring at her lap as she does.
“I got mad at them and kicked them out last night before I got any answers about what they’ve been up to.” I start kicking my leg again. Mary is acting dodgy.
“Kicked him out, you say? You kicked Grim out?” Mary says the words slowly, like she needs to taste them to see if they’re true.
“Yup, I told him I was going to shove his ass through a portal.”
Mary’s eyes bulge. “Oh my,” she gasps, and brings one claw-tipped hand up to her breast as if I’ve offended her delicate sensibilities.
I let out a little snicker. It’s funny to watch a woman with blackened, sunken eyes that bleed and who has a slashed-up mouth look affronted. “That’s just…” Mary shakes her head slowly, like she can’t believe it. “And he just let you talk to him like that?The Grim?” She leans in a little closer when she says his name, as though she doesn’t want to say it too loudly.
I chuckle at that. “I didn’t give him much of a choice, Mary.”
“Oh my,” she says again, and looks around like he might pop out at any moment.
“So, got any info on this deal they were talking about?” I ask her point blank. It seems like everyone in my life has answers but me.
“I do not,” she states firmly. I narrow my eyes at her. I don’t think she’s lying, but what if my senses don’t work as well on my friends? I’ve always just trusted my instincts, but now I’m doubting myself, and I don’t much like it.
“Another cup of tea, Mary?” I query, when she starts to fidget with her shirt sleeves again.
“I really shouldn’t. I need to get going,” she refuses.
“But…” I look at the clock, which shows me it’s only a little after midnight. “You usually stay longer.” I stand as she does. Mary smooths down her blood-soaked bodice as if she’s making sure it’s presentable. How the stains never get anywhere but the front of her dress, I’ll never know.
“You know what they say: it’s three o’clock somewhere.” Her smile is brittle.
“Yeah, sure.” My voice comes out flat. If Mary notices, she doesn’t let on. Instead, she excuses herself to the powder room and closes the door without bothering with the light. Mary travels through the mirror. I may not know how all my friends arrive at my home, but I know how she does.
“Well, she was in a hurry to get out of here,” I mutter, picking up her teacup and saucer to take to the kitchen.
The doorbell chimes, and it startles me. I have to scramble to catch the cup from tipping off the saucer and crashing to the floor.
I place it back on the table and head toward the door. There are only a few people it could be, and I thought I scared them away yesterday. I expect the bell to chime again, but the person on the other side is much more patient than Gunnar was yesterday.
I can hear a shushed argument as I approach the door. “Ring it again,” Gunnar demands.
“No, you fool, she’s coming,” Calix replies harshly.
“Shut up, the both of you,” Grim intones.
I open the door and lean against it. “Back so soon?” I don’t want them to know I’m actually happy they’re here. Now I can demand some answers.
“May we come in?” Grim requests for the group.
I narrow my eyes. “You’ve never asked before,” I remind him.
He meets my stare. Waiting. I huff, but step back from the door and roll my wrist out in an invitation for them to enter. “I’m warning you, you better have come prepared to tell me what’s going on, or you’ll end up on your keisters, just like last night.”
Gunnar pushes his way to the front, shoving past Calix, and reaches the door first. “Of course, my lady,” he croons at me.
“You can stop all that shit.” I wave my hand at him, encompassing his whole body. “I’ll be thinking and acting with more than just my lady bits, thank you.” I make sure to give Calix a good glare too.
Grim makes a sound close to a choking cough. I’m tempted to slap him on the back a few times, but I don’t want to touch him. He replaced the sheer black shirt with a fitted black tee, but I already know what he’s hiding beneath it, and I did just promise not to let my vag lead the way.
I plant my hands on my hips when everyone makes it into the foyer. “So, what kind of conversation is this going to be?”
