Page 15 of The Shadows of Excess

I stretched my arms overhead. “Shut up.” Luckily, my tattoo wasn’t burning. Maybe this meant we were safe.

The first light of dawn had begun to seep into the sky, casting a soft, pale glow over Mystic Ridge. The town, usually bustling with activity, lay in a rare state of slumber, its streets quiet and undisturbed. Only the faint chirping of early birds broke the silence of the morning.

As we pulled up, Damon parked the car in front of the town’s diner, Twilight Tavern, one of the few places showing signs of life at this hour. Its warm, inviting lights glowed through the windows, piercing the dawn’s dimness. The tavern’s exterior was clad in shiny, polished chrome, with large windows revealing cozy booths lined in red leather and a classic counter with spinning stools. This was one of Damon’s favorite places to chow down.

He leaned back in his seat. “Nothing’s open yet, so let’s grab some grub. Who knows, maybe someone inside knows something.”

I cocked my eyebrow. “And you’re hungry?”

He gave me a big smile as he patted his gut. “Starved, more like it.”

I exited the car, stretching my limbs after the long drive. The crisp morning air was refreshing, tinged with the promise of a new day. The unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the diner, stirring eagerness within me. My senses awakened further with each breath, the rich scent pulling me toward Twilight Tavern like a beacon. At that moment, the prospect of a hot cup of coffee seemed like the perfect antidote to the weariness of the night’s events.

As I looked around, I didn’t see any signs of dark shadows. I drew a cleansing breath.

Justice came up alongside me. “Are you hungry too?”

My stomach growled as I inhaled the smell of bacon. I yawned and gave him a sheepish smile. “Definitely could use a cup of java, and something to eat would be great.”

He opened the glass door. “Let’s make a pitstop.”

“Thanks,” I replied as I walked past him. “It’s got great food.” Maybe not for a vampire. Despite the name Twilight, the diner didn’t offer blood shakes.

Damon and I had eaten in the cozy tavern more than once. It had the best biscuits and gravy, and I could never pass the dish up. The diner exuded a charming, retro vibe reminiscent of a bygone era. The warm glow of neon lights cast a nostalgic ambiance. Vintage posters adorned the walls, and a jukebox in the corner stood ready to fill the space with old-time hits.

The air was rich with the comforting aromas of sizzling bacon, freshly baked pastries, and robust coffee, creating a welcoming, familiar atmosphere. It was a small haven where locals and travelers alike could find a moment of respite and a hearty meal.

A waitress approached. “Good morning. Are there three of you?”

Damon nodded. “Yes. Could we have a booth by the window?”

“Of course.” She led us to a booth where Damon could keep an eye on his car, and we got a view of Main Street.

I scooted in, and Justice sat next to me. Damon sat across from us and concentrated on the menu.

The waitress smiled. “What can I get you to drink?”

I blurted, “Coffee with cream, please.”

Justice held up his fingers. “Two, but make mine black.”

“I’ll have the same,” Damon added without looking up from the menu. When he was starving, he had a one-track mind.

I gazed out the window, captivated by the stunning sunrise. The horizon was a canvas of vibrant colors, with shades of orange and pink blending seamlessly into each other. The clouds were illuminated from below, transforming into glowing, elegant forms like a dog and a rabbit basking in the morning light.

Then, my tattoo heated up like a car’s engine. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of something dark, moving swiftly. I jumped, bumping into Justice and spilling his coffee.

My heart was beating so fast. Had that thing followed me? “I’m sorry… I’m sorry.” The words stumbled from my mouth.

Justice grabbed a napkin and mopped up the brown mess. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

Damon reached over and clasped my shaking hand. “Sawyer?”

“It’s here. The shadow. It followed us.” I yanked back my sleeve, exposing my glowing rose tattoo.

“Damon, stay with your sister.” Justice immediately stood and was out the door in a flash. I couldn’t even track him with my human eye.

Aaaaaaahhhh!

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