Page 12 of Shark 2

I grabbed the shirt and nodded. “Perfect.”

“So, what changed your mood?”

“A guy,” I said as I pulled the shirt over my head, then winked at him.

“Kass,” he growled.

“Silver gave me some fatherly advice,” I answered.

“Oh.” His eyes widened a moment before his entire body relaxed. “Good. I’m glad you have him.”

“Me too.”

“Will you be home late?” he asked.

“I might need a pick up,” I said honestly. Who knew how much I would drink tonight.

“Have Tonka or one of the sisters text me and I’ll fly right over,” he promised, kissed my cheek, and left.

Heading down the street towards Silver’s Bar, I looked around at the other people walking. One of the things I loved about this city was the diversity. Humans, shapeshifters, vampires, ogres, trolls, orcs, and more. And none of them knew that we’d come so close to having a kraken overlord.

“You’re all welcome,” I mumbled.

Several women in matching rompers waited at the front of the line. One of them had a sash proclaiming she was a bachelorette. They laughed and shifted with excitement as they waited to get let in.

I walked up, ignoring the line, but smiled without showing my teeth at the bachelorette as I bypassed them. They smelled interesting, like something fluffy … what was it? A rabbit! They smelled like rabbits.

Tonka held up his fist as I approached.

I bumped mine against it. “Evening, Tonka.”

“Evening, Kass.”

“Wait, she just got here and they’re letting her in?” one of the women asked.

“Maybe she’s sleeping with the bouncer,” another whispered.

I stepped on the other side of the rope, turned, and gave the girls a full smile, showing off my teeth, which made them all pale and still.

Yes, that’s right, I’m a predator.

Maneuvering my way around all the people, I made my way to the main bar where Silver was serving drinks.

“Oy,” I called to get his attention.

He looked over his shoulder from where he was grabbing glasses. “One sec.” He spun the glasses in his hand before setting them down, filling them with ice, then moving them to the counter, pouring a few different things into them, and sticking a straw in each.

“You’re getting better at that,” I said as he came to stand before me.

“I’m bored in my old age so I’m trying new things that the patrons seem to like,” he said. “What do you want tonight?”

“Something strawberry,” I said and smiled. “Surprise me.”

He quickly made a pink, sparkly drink and set it on the bar top in front of me, but kept a hand on the glass so I couldn’t take it. “Did you take my advice?”

I nodded. “I asked him on a date and we’re going tomorrow night.”

“How’d he react?”

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