Page 6 of The Rusalka and Mr. Right

I stare at her as she walks away, round ass calling to me like a siren’s song.

Damn. Forget the pool. I wanna hitthat.

With a sharp press of my thumb into my thigh, I redirect my energy.

No. We are not playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes, like a meeting with HR during our first week here. Get in that pool, man.

I’M STARVING. ALMOST. I used what little strength I had to swim all the way downriver to Country Pines, the little fae-run motel that always provides whatever you need—and for once, there was no lonely traveler, no passing kelpie, not even a horny barnacle demon.

Now, I’m back closer to my “home turf,” in a foul mood, and feeling desperate.

I’m about ready to break some of my cardinal rules. I’m sitting on a bench on the campus side of the river, watching the twilight take over the summer sky. The dorms are lit up tonight. Final cleaning. Last-minute maintenance. Tomorrow, students arrive. They move in, en masse, on Labor Day Weekend, and classes will begin on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, there will be hot hunks hanging their posters and lugging their luggage. All rippling biceps and roving eyes, checking out everything with a bra—or preferably without one.

It’ll be the easiest lure I’ve ever had.

I can wait until tomorrow, can’t I?

“Marina?”

My shoulders twitch. After this long alive, I’m able to sense energies. The figure behind me is a vampire. Powerful vampire. Good vampire.

I’d know his voice anywhere, anyway.

I sigh and turn. “Hi, Jakob.”

Jakob Minegold is the soul of honor and decency. He’s not a snack. His graying hair and lightly lined, regal face make him look far older than me, but if our real ages were known, I’m ancient in comparison.

“Hello, my dear. You look... pale. Even for you.”

He means dull. Without my usual meals, I look like library paste instead of a moonbeam in human form. “Campus will be full soon,” I whisper.

“I bought you this. You know Milo Angelakis, the metalsmith?”

I nod. In the paranormal community, almost everyone knows everyone else.

“He made this for Robbie and Charlotte.” He holds a delicate little silver box on a chain, a dainty necklace. “It stores energy for her succubus side.”

“Good for her. Charlotte is part human. I’m all rusalka. I don’t think it would work for me, but thanks.” I gently drape the necklace back over his hand. “You’re very sweet, but first, I’d need something to put into it.”

There’s an uncomfortable silence. “I suppose—”

“No. Not you. You love your wife, even if she’s not here. I don’t take energy that belongs to someone else,” I say with a small smile.

Jacob bows low and kisses my hand. “You are truly a wonderful woman. Marina... You are more than just a rusalka. You are an honorable, beautiful soul.”

If I were stronger, I would laugh until I rolled around on the ground. Most people would call me a whore, but that’s better than being a killer, right? They would call me an imitation of a woman, a monster in human form.

His arm slides through mine, and he helps me from the bench. “Where do you find your meals these days?” he asks softly.

“The gym. Jax Alley, if I’m well-fed enough to venture out on my own, that far from water for that length of time. The campus. I don’t need to ‘feed’ every day.”

“Nor do I. Once a week, give or take.”

“I tend to binge for the academic year,” I admit, “and I’m on a diet in the summer.”

“There are so many eligible men in town, handsome men. Humans. Monsters. Shifters! Why not consider looking for a mate and not a meal?” he presses.

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