Chapter 2: Greer

Chapter Two

Greer

T he Monster’s Den has been an awesome place to work. I love it, but I have no choice but to call and quit as I pack up my apartment the next night. I lucked out getting a place in one of the only apartment buildings in town, and as soon as I break my lease, I know I’ll never get it back.

Supernaturals live long lives, and the real estate market in Haven is cutthroat. I got my apartment when a friend of a friend bonded and moved in with her new mates. There’s basically no chance I’ll be able to find a place if I come back to town. So, my next chapter will have to be my last one. The only thing that could make this disaster worse would be to move back home with my tail between my legs.

After finally speaking to my family to let them know I’ve broken up with Cole, I request the information I should have asked for years ago.

My father is human.

My mother is a siren, but my father grew up in Black Cove, another supernatural sanctuary city. His mom passed away four years ago, and she left him the family home. He never intends to leave Haven, so he passed it along to me.

When I first learned it was an option, I wasn’t ready to think about leaving town, but everything feels so tainted here now.

It’s the only call I can make .

I wish I understood why I feel so strongly about that, but my mind is made up.

I wait until the next night to leave to give myself plenty of time to reach Black Cove before sunrise. Vampires have severe sensitivity to sunlight, and baby vamps are more susceptible than ancients.

Not to mention, I’m starving.

It’s a hunger like I’ve never experienced, and I don’t have the first clue how to feed without killing someone or even how to mindfuck that person to forget, if I get lucky and can stop myself.

My skin prickles as I pass through the ward around Black Falls. Wards aren’t sentient, but it feels like it’s verifying that I’m a supernatural being.

It better not have its own consciousness.

No one here can know my secret .

Each sanctuary city has its own town council, but I’m a legacy. Although, that is on my human side. I still don’t think I’m required to check in or anything. If I do, I’ll figure it out as I go along.

This whole situation is a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe I should try my luck in a human city? No, I’ll never last with all the tempting human blood around.

There will be humans in Black Cove, but hopefully, there will also be some type of service for blood.

I left the city where I had family, friends, and support.

Nothing makes sense anymore, but it’s like an itchy feeling attacks my brain any time I try to contemplate why I’m making such drastic choices.

What the hell am I even doing ?

Fae age extremely slowly. Being half human, I age somewhere in between the two but closer to the human end of the spectrum, which is nice, because fae normally don’t reach maturity until they turn one hundred.

I’m twenty-eight, but I look closer to twenty. And now, thanks to Cole, I’ll stay this age forever.

It blows my mind. I always hoped I would have a prolonged lifespan, but I knew I wouldn’t be the type of undying immortal that my mom is. And I kind of found comfort in that. She’s going to outlive my dad and a few of her other lovers. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but before I was turned, she would have outlived me too.

Now her reality has become my own fate, and I’m torn about how to feel.

Turning down the music, I scan the numbers on the street. The massive house comes into focus, and I park in front of the garage.

Dammit. I don’t even have a clicker to open it.

Parking inside the garage would be safer, in case I need anything out of my car during the daylight hours, but the trip only took four hours. It’s a few minutes past midnight, and I still have plenty of darkness to carry in my things and try to find a safe place to spend the day.

The house looks exactly like I remember from the last time I visited. Big, imposing, three stories with a wide wraparound porch.

The house key is already on the ring for my car keys. I shut off my vehicle and pump myself up to go inside. It’s going to smell like old lady and dust, because no one has lived here in years.

Luckily, I brought my own pillows and blankets, so that won’t be a problem, but none of my other stuff will be here until later this week.

I’ve literally got what I could fit in my car and that’s it.

You’re procrastinating .

Rolling my shoulders back, I toss the car door open and prepare to explore my new home.

It’s regal and imposing and a lot bigger than most of the houses in Haven. Sanctuary towns have limited space, due to the wards necessary to keep out the majority of humans. Humans who’ve been invited in are able to pass. So are those with jobs like delivery drivers, but once they leave the ward, it causes them to forget. It’s a complicated magic system that I don’t really understand, but it keeps our existence a secret from the outside world.

Following the sidewalk, I head up to the front porch. The dark siding on the house kind of makes it seem like I’m walking into a horror movie set.

It didn’t seem this intimidating when I was a kid.

I’m a vampire now.

There’s no reason I should be so apprehensive. I’m probably a badass. I’m definitely stronger than I was.

I wiggle the key into the lock and frown as I shove the door open. The lights are on in one of the far away rooms.

Who has been paying the electricity bill for this place?

Something dive-bombs into my head.

I squeak, smacking at my hair.

A beetle flies out and lands on the porch flooring.

“Well, that was uncalled for,” I grumble as it scurries away.

So much for being a badass.

Whatever.

I don’t care who you are, giant, winged beasts flying at your hair is going to cause panic.

I stumble inside, and the first thing I notice is that it doesn’t smell musty at all. My nose twitches; there’s a citrusy scent that seems to be everywhere.

Huh, I wonder if the house is spelled to stay clean?

That would be a nice trick.

Witches could pull it off with very little effort. Bumping my rear end against the door, it clicks closed as I take in the entryway.

There’s a massive portrait of Granny Rollins and her husband. Though he’s technically my grandfather on my dad’s side, I never met the man. He died before I was born.

Sighing, I take off to check out the rest of the place. An incubus in full demon form comes around the corner, and my feet leave the ground as I jump about a foot in the air.

I squeak but frown at the dishrag and wineglass in his hands. He continues drying the rim of the glass, like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“You’re in my house,” I accuse once my shoes finally plant on the wooden flooring. “Why are you in my house?”

His head tilts as he looks me up and down. There’s something about his jaw that makes my brain melty. It’s covered in a short black beard that perfectly accentuates his features.

Dammit.

Incubus have otherworldly sex appeal. It’s kind of how they survive, since they feed off sexual energy. His huge, void-like eyes glitter as he tosses the dishrag over his muscular shoulder.

“Is it your house?” His shoulder-length black hair sways as he quirks a bushy eyebrow.

“Yes.” I nod wildly as my eyes zero in on his jugular. “It is.”

Holy shit.

This is a problem .

My mouth is actually watering.

I’m so hungry.

Famished, really.

It’s surprising that I haven’t desiccated yet.

Normally, I would be appreciating the thick lines of muscle on his bare chest. He’s in a pair of low-slung jeans that show the sexy little indents that frame his hip bones.

His black, leathery wings twitch the longer I stare at his pale bluish-pink skin.

“Humans have short lifespans. I’m happy to share it with you for the duration of yours.” His low chuckle fills the air as his black, void-like eyes sparkle. “Are you okay? You’re looking a little…” He hums. “ Hungry .”

“I am…” I grimace, pulling my hand up to block my mouth. I think he assumes I’m a human, considering Granny Rollins was. “I am fine,” I correct. “What I don’t understand is why you’re in my house!” My words come out slurred due to my fangs.

Even that’s not as embarrassing as the urge to pounce and drink him dry.

Shit, I bet he could defend himself. He’d probably be able to stop me before I got to the danger zone. Also, incubi are basically impossible to kill. If you manage to injure them badly enough, that they can’t heal, they’re simply resurrected in Hell.

“You could have fooled me,” he says, and I can’t tell if he’s calling me on my lie about being okay or if he thinks I’m lying about owning this place. “I’ve lived here for over four years. There’s less than three months left until Black Cove law says this home is mine.”

“What?” I sputter. “My grandma is hanging on the wall right back there. I don’t know who you are, but you need to leave.”

“No.” He shrugs a massive shoulder and spins around, walking back into the kitchen with his long tail flicking behind him.

No wonder he wears his jeans so low on his hips .

“Where are you going?” I snap.

“To finish putting away my nightly glass of wine. I’d offer you some dinner, but I’m afraid I don’t eat like humans. Although, you’re welcome to the extensive stash of alcohol I keep on hand.”

My head tilts.

Did he not pick up on my scent?

There’s no telling what will happen when the residents of Black Cove realize I’m a siren that was turned into a vampire.

I need to find a powerful witch. It’s not that no fae or other species have ever been turned, but it’s unlikely. Mostly because full-blooded fae have their own immortality and don’t need or want to be changed.

Also, that whole dying a painful death thing, rather than being successfully changed, is a good deterrent.

I stomp forward, stopping in the doorway to the kitchen. I’m a reasonable distance away, so hopefully, he won’t pick up my scent. I’m fine with him assuming I’m human like Granny was.

“What’s your name?”

“Seiran,” he replies without looking back.

“Well, Seiran, I’m going to need you to vacate the premises—like now.” I plant my hands on my hips, tapping the toe of my ballet flat against the floor.

“I’ve already declined that offer,” he says, sounding entirely too amused. “It’s usually considered polite to share your name when someone offers theirs.” He chuckles.

This isn’t funny .

“Greer, but it’s time for you to go.”

“Black Cove says that if I live in this home for three more months, it’s legally mine. I hope you’re open to having a roommate.”

I frown.

Does Haven have insane laws like that?

I doubt it.

Even if that was true, I’m sure me being here changes things.

There’s a delusional incubus in my house.

What else could go wrong?