Page 13 of King of Inferno

I really am over living here.

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I tuck my hair behind my ear and highlight the last passage I just read. A few more pages and I’ll be able to make my flash cards to study. I’ve been so lost in my books I haven’t been watching the time.

After finishing the last of my notes, I look to see what time it is. It’s getting kind of late and I’m hungry. Glancing around the diner, I don’t see any signs of Ferg.

I wait for the disappointment to hit, but it never comes. However, when I think of my biker and the fact that he hasn’t shown up either, I sag in my seat with a pout.

“Hey, honey. You still don’t want anything?” Helen comes over to ask.

I sit up straight and rub my palms on my jeans. I think her words over. I’ve been telling her I don’t want anything more than water because I’ve been waiting to have dinner with my date.

My cheeks warm with embarrassment as I realize I’ve been stood up. As if to taunt me, my stomach growls. Even the guys I don’t want don’t want me.

“Can I get a cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate shake?” I finally say.

“Sure thing, honey. You look really pretty today, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

I throw myself back into my notes and studying. However, I keep glancing out the window for a certain biker. Maybe he got tired of the food here or lost interest.

After about another hour, I’m full and I know my notes like the back of my hand. Exhaustion begins to set in, so I decide to leave. I pack my things in my backpack and stand to head out.

Helen tosses me a smile and wave. I give a small wave back. When I step outside, the air is crisp. I stop to look around the diner.

One of the reasons I started coming here was the curb appeal and the view of the little jogging park across the way. The place is in the middle of the city, but Oscar, the owner, has made it seem like it’s in the middle of a small town.

There are rose bushes on either side of the diner. The fragrance fills the air. You wouldn’t know the dumpsters are behind the bushes on the right side.

You can’t always find a spot in the small lot out front. Luckily, tonight, I have one and don’t need to walk across the street to my car. I’ve become more aware of how eerie this street can be at night since my biker hasn’t been here to watch over me.

I miss him. Not just because I felt like he would make sure I got into my car safely. It’s more than that. I have this ache in my chest and a deep need to see his face.

I’m so lost in my thoughts; I startle when I reach my car, and someone grabs my arm. My mind goes to my pepper spray and baton. Stupid me, I didn’t take either out of my backpack before leaving the diner.

At this hour, that should have been the first thing I thought to do. I’m so much smarter than this. Panic rises and I make the split-second decision to fight. I’m not going out like this.

I ball my fists and spin to face my attacker. However, I come face to face with Ferg. I wish I could say I’m relieved, but my adrenaline is already pumping, and my brain hasn’t had the time to process whether I’m safe or not.

My heart is still racing. Before I can recover, all hell breaks loose and I swear it’s like I fall into a movie.

Bradan

“Have you seen Kendrick?” Reilly asks as I head for my office.

I have a few things I need to take care of since my brain has been preoccupied over the last few days. One of those things being signing off on the approval for Seraphina’s return to the human realm.

Others don’t always need papers, but when they want to pass through a gate with certain supplies from their realms, they need our approval.

Seraphina’s sister, Nori, is a fire healer. Some of the things she needs to heal can only come from the fire realm. Since Nori is hiding here under our protection, when she needs supplies, Seraphina is the one who goes to retrieve them.

“He went to the party at Ricci’s with his mate. Is everything all right?”

He pulls a frown and reaches to rub the back of his neck. “Yes, for now, all is well. I just have a few questions for him. Nothing that can’t wait. I’m going to take a ride. You want to come?”

“Nah, brother. I have some things I need to handle here. With Kendrick finding his mate, I might need to step up around here, so I might as well get things off my plate to get ready,” I say.

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