Page 41 of A Shade Too Far
When I was a kid, the three biggest dangers I expected to face in nature were quicksand, killer bees, and being eaten by sharks while swimming in the ocean during my period. While the latter was disproven to happen, would being around a vampire in this condition set him off? It’s not like I could google scientific studies on it.
Some women worried about cramps and bloating, I weighed the odds that walking into Zev’s office tonight was the equivalent of inviting him to feast on a champagne and filet mignon buffet. My life was so weird.
By the time I decided I was probably safe on that front, I’d hit the unkempt lawn leading to the front door of the club. All I had to do was cross the grass and wind my way through the hunched forms of the gargoyle statues, their shadows elongated into sinister forms.
In my experience, real gargoyles were a tad eccentric but helpful, so even if any of the statues were alive and faking a Medusa-victim impression, there was nothing to be afraid of. I wiped my palms on my dress, because it didn’t matter how often I walked this path, that first step always required a jolt of courage.
Stupid Doctor Who Weeping Angels. That “Blink” episode was all I could think of every time I walked through this place. I blinked my eyes rapidly for a solid ten seconds, getting that urge out of my system. But even with my lids open comically wide, I didn’t move, positive that this time, one of the gargoyles would go rogue and take me out.
Two tipsy girls who had “opening credit kill” written all over them passed me to walk through the statues and into the club unharmed. I chided myself that I was being ridiculous, rolled my shoulders back, and stepped onto the lawn. Still not blinking, mind you.
That’s when the dybbuk appeared out of nowhere and attacked me.
