Page 167 of Heir of the Beast

We walk up to her, and I say, “Mrs. Martinez!”

She glances up to us and a wide smile spreads over her face, wrinkles softening her dark eyes. “My Viola, I was wondering what happened to you!” She gives me a tight hug.

After a few moments, her eyes drift over to Apollo, and they widen. She says something in Spanish and laughs, elbowing my side, giving me a wink.

Apollo raises an eyebrow at me as I glance toward her. “He,” I say loudly, pointing to Apollo, “has never had a ~burrito~!”

I say it like it is a sin breaking one of the Ten Commandments.

She does the sign of the cross on her chest and mutters something under her breath. She immediately opens the cooler and a cloud of delicious stream rises followed by the best smelling Mexican food.

My mouth waters and I grin at Apollo’s curious expression, his abnormal eyes glittering with mirth.

Apollo’s a big boy. I bet he can put down some food.

I try to pay her, but she waves my hand away, giving us both a heavy, wrapped burrito. I say thank you and give her a kiss, knowing that this will be the last time I will eat one of her burritos.

I glance at Apollo as we walk toward the Fairy Godmother Inc. door and stop. “Open it like this and take a bite,” I command, doing the same.

“We are very late, but this smells very good,” he says, and takes a large bite.

After seconds of me holding my breath, waiting for any reaction that would tell me that this is the best food he has ever eaten, he closes his eyes with an expression of bliss.

“What in the fuck is this?” he says as he covers his mouth.

I take a bite, hot green chili coursing through my mouth like a storm of ecstasy. “I know, right?!”

“It’s insane.”

“Out of this world.”

“Sorcery.”

“I might orgasm.”

Apollo nods. “I won’t judge.”

“Oh my gosh, did you get a chunk of beef and cheese?” I whimper.

He does not say anything as he finishes his last bite and wipes his mouth. “That was wonderful, thank you for that.” He looks mystified.

I laugh and give him my last half, which he gladly takes with enthusiasm. We both stand there wiping our faces, and I crack up, leaning in to give him a kiss.

He hugs me tight, his hands roaming over me.

“We’d better go,” I say, feeling excited.

“Ladies first.” He holds the door open, his hand still gripping mine like he doesn’t want to let go.

We walk up the staircase and push open the metal door to see the same elegant office that I first saw and remember. Cheers and claps erupt when we enter fully, seeing Laura and the rest of the girls who want to return.

Laura runs up to me and hugs me, then scolds Apollo, saying, “~About time!~”

I glance past Laura to see Pierce, Mort, Leenie, and the Fairy Godmother all staring at us. My heart constricts. I thought I would never see them again.

The room quiets.

Zora walks up to us in a white, fifties-style dress, and I swallow, feeling nervous. She looks beautiful with her perfect face and a high bun.