38. CATALINA

THIRTY-EIGHT

catalina

I pushed the shopping cart with one hand as I made my way down the cat aisle. The phone was pressed to my ear, ringing as I sought out food for Binx. He never ate and it was starting to worry me that he could get infected with some disease if he continued eating out on the streets.

“You’ve reached the shelter, how can I help?” The voice on the other end croaked.

“Hi, I’m one of the volunteers, I’ve left a few voicemails for George, but I can’t get a hold of him.” I trailed off as sniffles started up on the other end. “Um, hello?”

“S-sorry.” Throat clearing ensued. “George won’t be able to get back to you. He was found dead. He was mugged and had a heart attack.” I slowed to a stop. “I have to go.” The call ended.

George was dead?

I clicked off my phone, a little numb. This was not the sort of information I expected to get in the middle of shopping. My hand shook as I hoisted a cat food bag into the cart. He’d died so suddenly . . .

My phone vibrated, and Erin’s name flashed across the screen. She never called this late unless it was important. I put it to my ear to her already speaking. “—good news for you. I got your manuscript last night with all the edits completed and it looks good. I let the publishing house know we had it set to go. Turns out they lost one of their scheduled slots and want to put your release out.”

No words came to mind.

“You still there, Cat?”

“Yes,” I forced out and it sounded strained.

“I expected more excitement,” Erin chuckled. “Anyway, they’re sending over your advance.”

“T-thank you,” I sputtered.

“That’s what I’m here for, lady, to make us money. Be sure to treat yourself. Got to go.” The beep of the ended call faded as I dropped my arm. I blinked quickly. Even though I didn’t know George all that much and he honestly gave me weirdo vibes, I felt a bit bad feeling so happy right now.

But the fear that used to dog me no longer haunted me. My bank account wouldn’t be in pain for long, and I... liked someone—or someones .

Multiple vampires.

Their presence relieved some of the terror that weighed on me for years. They made me feel safe. Something I’d never had.

Everything had changed. Everything was different. I was different. Maybe now, Peter could come visit?—

“Excuse me, human?”

“Yes,” I whipped my head up with a grin ready. I was still too mind boggled to register that it was not normal to be called ‘human’. I yelped and scrambled back until the shelf dug into my spine. My elbow unbalanced one of the cat food cans and it thudded on the rubber floor.

Calliope stared at me with her eyebrow lifted high on her forehead.

“Hello, human,” she said in a suspiciously friendly tone.

My lips parted and I shut them again, my mind whirling.

“W-what do you want?” My stomach was in knots.

“He didn’t finish serving his time.” Calliope clicked her tongue, shaking her head as if dejected, but it was a show. She did it too mockingly. “I came to make a deal with you.” The corners of her lips tilted up. My racing mind screeched to a halt. “I’m not like you, you know?” She sniffed. “Sneaking into someone else’s house uninvited.” She stepped closer, looming over me.

“What do you want?” I said, the words rasping from my throat.

“You owe me. You and dear Ren murdered so many of my children.” Her hand settled on her chest with the exaggerated words.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Unless you want me to destroy that coven you dearly care about, I would do as I say.” I stiffened. “I want you to get something for me in the Crimson manor.” She paused in a dramatic fashion. “Nothing much. It’s this little black storage vase. Seems inconspicuous and featureless but there are little etchings near the circling lip. You get me that and I’ll forget about all about my people Ren slaughtered without cause and I won’t turn every single vampire in this country against them.”

I struggled swallowing.

“I don’t even know where it is?—”

“Should be either with the ex-priest, or the angry twin.”

I blinked at her. How did she know that? I didn’t have the guts to ask her. Her request turned in my head.

I licked my lips. This wasn’t a good idea. It was going behind their backs and I wouldn’t do that but telling that to her face seemed like I was asking to be murdered.

Instead, I jerkily nodded.

I backed up, leaving my cart behind as I gave her a wide berth.

“And Catalina,” she called. I turned back toward her and she was suddenly in my face. I sucked in a breath. “Do you want their slaughter on your conscience?”

My mouth dried up and I shook my head. Seemed like her good side was properly tucked away.

“Good.” She smiled. “I’ll leave you to it. Make sure to give me a call.” She tossed my cell phone into my cart. When had she gotten a hold of it?

She sashayed away, her hips swaying as her heels clicked on the linoleum. She seemed out of place, like she was plucked from the Victorian era with her wide gown.

Helplessness closed in on me. I slumped back until my shoulders hit something . I tipped my head back and squeezed my eyes closed. What pissing contest had I stepped in the middle of?