Page 7 of Awakening the Dhampir

I repeated my short conversation with Jonah.

“You think he’s talking about Lorna?” Kenrid asked.

“I can’t think of anything else we lost,” I replied, shedding my sweaty clothes on the way to the shower. “I’m meeting him at Smiley’s in an hour. I just wanted someone to know in case it’s a trap or some shit.”

Silence drifted across the line between us for several seconds, but then Kenrid said, “Call me as soon as you’re done. Or better yet, wait for me to join you.”

“Jonah’s a friend,” I stated. But now wasn’t the time to be careless. “Sort of. It might be good to have you nearby, actually.”

“I’ll be there,” he said, then hung up.

I wasn’t sure what he had going on today, but it would help to have him watching my back. Normally, I’d get Damon to go with me, but he and Nathan were sealed in The Fanged Prince for the day. While Kenrid wasn’t the same powerhouse as the demon, he was still fierce in a fight. And one of the cleverest fae I’d ever met. He’d be able to see if Jonah was sincere or just spinning a web of lies.

I showed up at the restaurant a few minutes early. Windows lined the front of the building, giving me the perfect view of Jonah’s enormous form taking up nearly an entire bench in a corner booth. His brown hair was just as wild as his full beard. I’d teased him about it for years, but he'd always shrugged it off with a smile.

As I watched him flirt with the waitress, I couldn’t help but grin. She was an older woman—probably in her sixties—with a full head of gray hair and a bright smile. She planted a hand on her wide hip and laughed at whatever Jonah just said. He was always good at making the ladies smile.

I slid out of the truck and sent a quick text to Kenrid.

Me: I’m ready for lunch

mymankenny: I’m at a corner table in the back. I assume the loud, boisterous man is your friend.

Me: Yep

As I entered the diner, I tucked my phone in my pocket. A small bell banged against the glass window, announcing my arrival. Jonah waved me over, and I didn’t hesitate to head his way. I wouldn’t even look for Kenrid. While Jonah might act all jovial, he was observant.

“Long time no see,” Jonah said. “Have a seat.”

I dropped onto the bench across from him. The waitress followed right behind me.

“What can I get for ya, handsome?” she asked with a thick southern drawl.

“Bacon cheeseburger with fries,” I replied. “And sweet tea.”

“You got it.” She smiled, winked at Jonah, and walked away.

I smirked. “Still playing the field?”

He laughed, and we fell into an easy conversation about nothing important. Our food arrived a few minutes later. Like all shifters before us, eating was more important than talking. But all too soon, my plate was empty. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.

“So, I ran into Conrad Roane about a week ago,” Jonah said out of the blue.

I racked my brain, trying to remember who he was talking about. Jonah didn’t wait for me to figure it out.

“Runs the Northeastern Kiss,” he said.

“Ah, yeah.” I remembered now; Conrad Roane was the last vampire master to give up his dhampir. Now I knew for certain why Jonah was here. I leaned back and met his gray eyes. I always thought they were dull for a shifter. We usually had vibrant colored eyes. Not Jonah. That didn’t mean he didn’t see everything around him.

“What’s the old man been up to?” I asked.

Jonah leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table. “Introduced me to a cute little d’laej.”

My entire body tensed, and my wolf whined softly. Was he talking about Lorna or a real demon? How could I ask without giving anything away? If Conrad had her and showed her to Jonah, could I trust him?

I leaned forward as well, putting my face only a few inches from his. “What does Conrad want with a demon?” I whispered.

Jonah barked out a laugh and clamped a hand on my shoulder. My wolf growled with the contact, but I forced him to be still. We needed Jonah’s information.

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