Page 52 of Taste of Fate

“Oh yeah, nothing to do with me. But we all got up this morning to find that Heather disappeared into thin air.”

“Whoa.” The goldfish I’d just put in my mouth almost fell out. “Did you find her?”

“No, she’s still AWOL. Not that she ever had to check in with anybody, but we were all worried since she doesn’t know her way around here.”

“And didn’t believe in vampires until like, two days ago,” I pointed out.

“Exactly. So the council had everyone go searching in case she got lost or something. But there’s no trace of her. You know what we did find, though?”

“Huh?” I took a sip of apple juice and had the random thought that I should make a hard cider soon.

“Another entrance to the human world. With tracks and broken branches like someone had been through recently.”

“Oh shit, where?”

“Directly west of the compound. Maybe a mile from where our usual one is.”

“Huh, that’s close.”

“Yeah, there was no blood or signs of distress, so everyone was relieved she’s most likely okay.”

“So did they keep looking for her?”

“No. They discussed it but she obviously didn’t want to stay, so why force her, you know? And even if she talks, one girl rambling about vampires and overlapping worlds isn’t likely to cause any trouble for us.”

The next goldfish paused on its way to my mouth. “I hope that’s true. It’s not like she has any proof, right?”

“Right, exactly. She’s just another person who’s stumbled into our world and then stumbled her way back home. It’s like people over there have a mental shield up. No one ever believes them.”

“You should still be careful. The vampires don’t want any human-led governments or agencies poking around their territory. All it takes is one curious person to bring back proof. Next thing we know, they’re invading with tanks and machine guns.”

Amy laughed. “How do you know that?”

“I’ve watched the human-world documentaries on the one channel in Robin’s place. It’s what humans like to do, discover a new place and invade it.”

“You say that like you’re not human.” Amy’s tone was teasing, but I didn’t miss the slight accusation underneath.

“Of course I am. But you know.” I shifted positions on the couch, switching the phone to my other ear. “This place belongs to the supernatural species. They were here first. Humans have been here a long time too but the magic, the land, it’s all theirs. We’re guests here.”

“Well, how nice of them to let us stay,” Amy chuckled. “And not feed on us. Some of us, anyway.”

I sank deeper into the couch cushions. It wasn’t like she actually knew Cy had just fed on me, but it felt like she was teasing about it anyway.

“Anyway, how are you? Is your arranged vampire husband still pissy and brooding? He seemed friendly enough the other night.”

“It’s…complicated,” I sighed. “He was actually injured earlier tonight while out on patrol. He’s doing okay and sleeping it off though. I’m keeping an eye on him.”

“Glad to hear it. Is he still being an ass, though?”

I almost choked on a goldfish from my laugh. “Well, kind of. Yeah.”

“Fuck him, then. I hope he rots.”

“Don’t be a bitch.” I grinned as I said it, because there was nothing like having your best friend always in your corner. Especially when wrestling your complicated feelings for a vampire.

“Too late, skank.”

The next thirty seconds were filled with Amy and I trying to suppress our laughter, and making weird snorting and wheezing noises in the process.

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