Page 57 of Luna

“Whiskey, neat,” I reply, trying to look like I belong here.

As he pours my drink, I casually glance around the room. There’s a mix of patrons - some clearly vampires, others with the wild, barely contained energy of werewolves. In the corner, a group of what look like witches huddle over a table, whispering intently.

The bartender slides my drink over. I take a sip, letting the burn of the alcohol steady my nerves.

“You’re new here,” the bartender says. It’s not a question.

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “Just passing through. Heard this was the place to be if you’re... not exactly human.”

He nods slowly, eyes narrowing slightly. “That it is. Though things have been a bit unsettled lately.”

I raise an eyebrow, feigning casual interest. “Oh? How so?”

The bartender leans in, lowering his voice. “Word is, there’s been a change in management. The old boss who ran the FHB trade? Gone. Poof.” He snaps his fingers for emphasis.

“Really?” I take another sip of whiskey. “Any idea who’s taken over?”

He shakes his head. “That’s the thing. No one knows. But whoever it is, they’re shaking things up. Prices are up, quality’s down, and there’s talk of expanding beyond Cambridge.”

I frown, processing this information. “Sounds like bad news for everyone.”

The bartender nods grimly. “You have no idea. Last guy who asked too many questions about it? Found him drained dry in an alley.”

A chill runs down my spine, but I keep my face neutral. “Thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As I finish my drink, a commotion breaks out near the door. Two vampires, young and clearly high on FHB, are arguing loudly. The bartender sighs, moving out from behind the bar to deal with it.

I take the opportunity to slip away, my mind racing. A new boss, expanding operations, and willing to kill to keep it quiet?

After what Lucien did to the queen, who would dare to challenge him? And how does Luna fit into it?

I really should sleep. But I know all that will happen if I go home now will be a restless night, thoughts tumbling. I also know that if I go home, I’ll start thinking about Sarah.

By the time I reach the mansion, it’s morning. I didn’t go home, but I did drive around the city trying to sift through the mess of thoughts in my head.

I text Lucien several times with no reply, which is unusual given that he’s usually awake all night. But perhaps not unusual given that he has Luna to occupy him.

When I buzz the gate, there is no answer. So, I abandon the Volvo and climb over the wall.

If you’d told me a year ago, when I was working for a regular marketing firm in the city center, still pretending to be a regular human, that I’d be strong enough or brave enough to scale the wall of a vampire’s mansion, I’d have laughed.

It took me a long time to accept my destiny. And I hate that word with a passion. It sounds like something from a bad superhero movie.

Even when demons were tracking me down, trying to kill me before I killed them because they could sense my hunter blood, I ignored what was happening.

I ran away to start a new life in sleepy Cambridge. I brought Sarah with me, thinking I could shield her from it and that she’d never have to know what I really was.

And then she died.

Because of the exact thing I was trying to protect her from.

Don’t think it hasn’t occurred to me that I’m getting caught up in Lucien’s desire to protect Luna because she reminds me of my dead wife.

I’m no back-seat therapist but I’ve watched enough social media reels to know I’m playing out the same scenario and hoping for a different result this time.

Vulnerable woman. Looks spookily like the woman I loved. Needs protection from evil forces... count me in! Maybe I can redeem myself by saving her.

Just because I’m aware of what I’m doing, though, doesn’t mean I have the wherewithal to stop it.