Page 47 of Not Your Ex's Hexes
Dozens of heads swiveled in her direction as she eyed the one and only empty barstool, and gave an awkward little wave. “Good evening…”
One by one, most of the patrons turned back to whatever they’d been doing with only a few watching her step farther into the bar. Her Supernatural senses told her vampires and shifters made up most of the crowd, with an occasional demon thrown into the fold.
Two women, sandwiched between a pair of glowy-eyed vampires, gave her outfit a critical once-over before continuing their flirt-fest. She self-consciously tugged her puffer jacket around her body when a shifter fight broke out on her left. A few people scattered out of the way, but most hung around waiting to see who drew first blood.
Potion’s Up this place was not.
“You look lost, hon.” The bartender eyed her from head to toe, lifting a pierced eyebrow toward her hairline. “Oh, you’re definitely lost and you better get found really quick or this crowd will gobble you up and spit you out… and not in the fun way.”
“There’s a fun way?”
The bartender—a shifter, Rose’s Magic warned—grinned wickedly. “So, so lost. If I see so much as a glimmer of fang, I’ll yank your canines out with my rusty pliers, Andre. And you know I don’t make idle threats.”
“I’m sorry,what?” Rose’s voice squeaked.
The bartender’s attention slowly shifted over her left shoulder to the tall, gangly vampire who’d literally been a few inches away from her neck,sniffing. Rose pulled her jacket up even higher as if it were Kevlar.
“Oh, come on, Char,” the vampire whined. “My left fang has barely grown back in from the last time!”
“Then I’d think you’d want to keep them intact.”
“Yeah…” He glanced down at his feet, shuffling awkwardly.
“And what could you do that would mean you’d be back to gumming up blood smoothies?”
“Put my fangs on someone who didn’t ask for it.” The vampire gifted Rose a sheepish look. “Sorry… unless you’re up for it?”
“That would be a no,” Rose stated emphatically.
“Can’t blame a vamp for hoping.” With a small shrug, he turned away and joined a small group of vampires across the room.
Rose nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all. “Thanks for that,” she addressed the bartender.
“So, so lost.” Char shook her head, her lips twitching with a small smirk. “I can’t tell if you’re oblivious, foolish, or just damn brave to come out to a place like the Blood Moon on a super full moon night.”
A super moon…
Well, crap. Definitely oblivious.
Shifters weren’t any more dangerous on full moons than any other nights—ignore the Hollywood tales—but Supernaturals still blamed it on things they considered uncharacteristic behavior. It was basically an excuse to act like an idiot and crythe full moon made me do it.
Like following a broody veterinarian into an unfamiliar, Magic-cloaked part of the city, and getting chased into a Supernatural bar.
A few more patrons stopped to stare, and the closest—another vampire—slid a hungry stare over her neck. Her Magic reacted instinctively, humming beneath the surface as it sparked up from her palms.
A familiar warmth settled against her back just as Damian’s hand clamped down on her arm. “Magic away, little witch.Now,or there will be more blood in the Blood Moon than what’s on the sign.”
“A friend of yours, D?” The bartender watched them curiously. “I know you’ve been a little MIA, but I thought even you’d remember not to—”
“Yeah, Charlotte. Sorry. I’ll get her out of here.”
The female shifter slipped Rose a wink. “Stick super close toDamian, hon. We don’t want anyone snatching you away for a little midnight snack.”
“With me. Now.” Damian steered her through the bar, his hand wrapped snugly around hers.
The deeper they went, the more glares they received. A few feet from the rear emergency exit, a Quall demon reached for her arm.
Damian whirled on him with a low, threatening growl. “Do it and lose your hand.”
