Page 46 of The Lunatics

“Are there a lot of interspecies marriages in the city?”

“It’s not unheard of,” she answered, glancing at me. “I’m guessing it’s less common where you come from?”

“You could say that.” This was literally the first time I’d heard of one.

“Of course, it’s much more typical among vampires, because they usually end up turning their partners, and with witches, since they can have viable offspring with humans. Most of the other preternaturals in the city keep their distance, though. Well, with the exception of the succubae stronghold down in Quincy.”

“There are succubae in the city?”

She nodded. “Give me your email. I’ll send you a spreadsheet and a map so you know how many other preternaturals we have and where you’re most likely to bump into them.”

I rattled off my address. She tapped the screen a few more times, and my phone chimed from my back pocket, indicating a new email.

“Just to give me an idea, how many species are we talking about?” I asked.

“Several dozen, though none have the numbers to threaten the big three. Wolves, vamps and witches rule here. Head over to Africa or Asia and it’s a totally different story. You’d be the underdog there.” She grimaced. “Sorry, pun not intended.”

I grinned. “It’s fine. Are there any I should watch out for in particular?”

She glanced over at me and then away, checking to make sure no one was close enough to hear us. “There’s a dragon in the downtown area.”

I was so shocked I nearly tripped over my own feet.

She leaned in closer. “Every now and then, he likes to gobble up a couple of vampires, just because no one can do anything about it.”

I stared at her in disbelief. Her heartbeat picked up, and her scent changed slightly, becoming tangier.

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re totally pulling my leg right now, aren’t you?”

She laughed. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. All the rest was true, though.”

I decided then and there that she and I would one day be great friends. A human that could successfully pull one over on me was a human I needed in my life.

“How do you know so much about all of us?” I asked.

Her pulse picked up again, this time in excitement. “Imagine going about your boring day-to-day life and then suddenly meeting a beautiful wolf-boy, finding out that magic is real, vampires stalk the city streets, and djinn aren’t creatures that grant wishes but beings of angelic origin. I became obsessed with learning as much as I could, because how could I not?”

“I get it,” I said. “I’mfromthis world, and even I’m still awed by it sometimes.”

We fell silent for a moment, and in the absence of our conversation, the noises of the city swam up to fill the void.

“So, back to tonight,” I said, hoping to keep overstimulation at bay. “What’s the dress code?”

“Semiformal. A cocktail dress will be fine. Or a nice pantsuit. Whatever you’re into.” She lifted her tablet and began tapping away as she walked, careful to check her path every now and then. “The menu looks like your standard three-course meal. There’s music afterward, and dancing. Michael usually leaves these events early. He’s only making an appearance because the Montagues are oldfamily friends. Speaking of…” She frowned. Her tapping turned furious.

“What is it?”

She locked her tablet and slid it into her designer handbag. “Michael’s parents will be there.”

I swore.

She glanced over at me, a wily look on her beautiful face. “How bad was it last night?”

“Mary threatened to have me offed just after the first course was served.”

Emma let out a shaky breath. “That is one mean woman.”

“Please tell me we’re not seated at the same table.”