Page 20 of Jinx

I shut the door and winced when I realized that the neighbors probably heard everything. Grabbing my phone from where I’d left it on the counter, the screen lit up to display the date. Yep, it was the third already.

“Freaking boys,” I groaned. I was 100% blaming Bellamy for this. Meeting him and his friends had me in such a tailspin that I didn’t know what to do anymore. Deva would’ve known. She’d have put the kettle on and pulled out everything we needed for a batch of comfort cookies. The thought made my heart hurt even more.

Like he could sense my pain, Orion wound around my ankles with one of his chirpy little meows. I leaned down and hefted his twenty pounds of furry solace into my arms. He rested his chin on my shoulder, purring softly in my ear, and my heart broke all over again.

“At least we have each other, huh, sweet boy?”

When I’d soaked up all the comfort I could, and my arms were trembling under his weight, I set him back down with one more scratch behind the ear. I typed out a quick grocery list, covering the basics, but threw some cookie ingredients on there too.

I was lacing up my favorite classic white Keds when my phone started ringing. I scrambled over to where my bag sat on the floor to dig it back out—maybe I needed to add a smaller purse to my list—and managed to answer on the fourth ring.

“Hello?” I was a little breathless and hoped whoever it was didn’t notice. I hadn’t even looked at the caller ID. I plopped back into a cross-legged seat on the floor.

“Hello! Is this Cordie?” A bright but unfamiliar voice greeted me on the other end.

My brows pinched together in a frown. “Yes, it is.”

“Cordie, this is Alicia from The Bird Cage. We met yesterday at your audition.”

“Of course! Hi!” My chest squeezed, making my voice pitch up. I forced a slow breath. This call could go either way. “How are you?”

“I’m well.” I could hear the smile in her tone, and my heart beat faster. “I’m calling to see if you’re still interested in joining our team.”

It took a second for her words to process before I rushed to answer. “Yes!” I all but shouted it. I swallowed and managed to repeat myself a little more calmly. “Yes, I would love to.”

Alicia chuckled at my reaction. “I’m glad to hear it! We’re all very excited to have you. I know it’s Sunday, but would you have time to come by the club to go over some details? I’ll need you to sign a few papers and pick out a couple of costumes. We’d love it if you could start as early as this coming Friday.”

My head was spinning, excitement sparking through me. “Yes, absolutely. I was just heading out, so I can stop there first, unless that’s too soon.”

“No, that’s perfect. Just shoot this number a text when you get here, and I’ll have Jake let you in.”

“Will do. Thank you!”

She hung up after saying goodbye, and I just stared at the screen for a moment, taking it in. I even pinched myself for good measure. This could fix everything. Having this regular outlet might be enough to keep my magic in check, so it would stop making grabby hands at the gorgeous men who’d stumbled into my path.

Half the day later, I staggered back into the apartment laden with grocery bags. I called to Orion as I set them on the kitchen tile before rushing back out the door. The rent collection box was in the mailbox unit, so only Mr. Mason and the postal worker had access. I carefully slipped the cashier’s check, complete with late fee, through the slot.

Back upstairs, Orion had roused himself from his nap and was nosing through the grocery bags on the floor. I grinned when he took particular interest in one and started to dig at it, chirping in excitement. I crouched down next to him and swept a hand down his back, along his spine.

“Clever boy!” Reaching into the bag, I pulled out what had snared his attention—a little burlap mouse with a feathery tail, stuffed with catnip. His eyes were wide as saucers, pupils big and black, as I pulled the toy from his cardboard backing. I tossed it across the room, and he tore after it, claws scrabbling on the floor. He all but dove into it where it landed, rubbing his face on the mouse with happy little noises before he rolled onto his back with it clutched in his big paws.

Damn, that’s cute.

I put the groceries away while he got high, and I told him about my day. About my orientation at the club, and how nervous I was when I explained my touch aversion with vague detail and then my relief when Alicia accepted it without question and promised it would be respected. I described the few dance outfits I’d picked out to be waiting for me on Friday for my first shift and the jitters it filled me with.

And I promised that things were going to get better for us, reminding us both of my plan for the future. Because I wasn’t giving up. I was going to figure this out, and I was going to live my life, just like Deva wanted.

15

ALARIC

My car idled with a soft purr, the sinking sun slipping through the parking garage. I stared at my phone, watching the cursor blink in the text thread I had with Rami. A smart man would keep his closest friend in the loop.

I couldn’t afford to be smart.

The official summons I’d received from the Conclave that morning on behalf of my father was anything but official. I knew that, but I’d still lied to my brothers, donned a sharp suit, and driven two hours to the city with no guarantees as to when I’d be back.

Sighing, I locked my phone and slid it into my pocket as I got out of the car. The closing door and beep of the lock echoed in the cavernous concrete structure. The sound pressed against my ears and settled on my chest like weighted dread.