Page 30 of Bright Dark Curses

“Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, baby.”

“If you ever call me ‘baby’ again, your face will be joining the paintings at the creepy gallery.”

“Immortalized for eternity. I like it.”

Dru rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile. We found a ride share who’d take us and the dogs, and thirty minutes later we were standing in front of Wyatt’s bar. As per usual during daylight hours, there was no bouncer guarding the door, and we were free to walk in.

“No dogs on the premises,” Wyatt barked from behind the long bar. The space was as depressingly dark as always, with only a few customers sitting at the booths and at the counter. They gave us one initial look, then went back to their drinks and conversations.

“Hello, Wyatt,” I said as cheerfully as humanly possible. “How are you today?”

He brought out a metal bat from under the counter. “No. Dogs.”

Rufus growled while Fluffy lurched forward with a happy yip, no doubt thinking the shiny bit of metal would make for a wonderful toy.

“They’re very well behaved, I swear.”

“Hey, is that one of the wolves?” A man at the counter asked.

“If he is, you better lock your door at night,” another one answered with a booming laugh.

Ignoring them, Dru stomped up to the bar and slammed a twenty on top of the counter. “Do you ever go to the PBOA meetings?”

Wyatt snorted. “Hell, no.”

Dru snatched back the bill and turned on her heel. “We’re done here. Let’s go.”

“Hold on, lady,” Wyatt said, putting the bat down. “What’s it to you if I go to the meetings?”

“We’re making sure the paranormal community is well served,” I chimed in.

Wyatt pointed at Dru. “Hey, you’re that demon who used to work for Lewis, right?”

“She sure is.” I put an arm around Dru’s shoulder, then dropped it immediately when she snapped her head to glare at me.

“That asshole owed me money.” His expression darkened. “Do you know what he did with it?”

Dru met Wyatt’s scowl. “If I did, I wouldn’t be telling you.”

Wyatt let out a short laugh. “Smart lady.” He grabbed a shot glass and poured a splash of whiskey in it, then placed it in front of Dru. “On the house.”

Dru sniffed, then picked up the glass and downed it. “Not bad.”

Fluffy pawed at my leg, as if she were as dumbfounded as I felt. “Good girl,” I murmured, reaching down to pat her. I’d hoped bringing Dru for the questioning was a good idea, but I hadn’t expected it would be this much of a good idea.

“About the PBOA,” Dru began.

“About that twenty,” Wyatt finished.

Dru shrugged and put the bill back on the counter. It immediately disappeared into one of Wyatt’s pockets.

“If you happen to go to the next meeting,” Dru said, “I’ll take your vote for my new shop.”

Wyatt narrowed his eyes. “What kinda shop?”

“Not a bar,” I piped in from the side.

“Nobody’s talking to you, witch,” Wyatt snapped.

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