Page 12 of The Phantom's Vice

I chuckle, sending him back a lopsided wink as I grab the bag from the counter. Andrew’s wife runs a tight ship and only allows one fortune cookie per entrée. But Andrew knows how much I love them, so he’s taken to slipping a few extra in my bag when she’s not looking. It’s also why I’ve been increasing the amount I tip each time I come in.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say, giving him a quick wave before heading toward the door. “Tell Mrs. Lee I appreciate her for keeping you going so long!”

The last of Andrew’s laughter is cut off when the door closes behind me. I rush to my car, placing the bag in the passenger seat before strapping it in tight with the seat belt. It’ssohard to wait to dig in until I get home, but somehow, I find the willpower to leave it alone. As soon as I park, I yank the bag out of the seat and rush up the steps to my apartment, a wide smile on my face as I throw open the door.

“Oh, Venom! I’m home!” I call, my smile dropping when I don’t hear his telltale mew. “Venom?”

My heart picks up pace as I check the bedroom and bathroom, my pulse rising with every passing second.

“Venom!” I yell, tearing around the small apartmentin full-blown mom mode. “Venom, where are you?”

Just when I’m about to lose it, munching sounds trickle in from the kitchen. Holding my hand over my heart, I step around the island and laugh at the sight before me. Venom somehow got into the bag of cat food I keep in the cabinet, and he’s having the time of his life chowing down.

“Jesus, you scared me.” Wave after wave of relief rushes through my veins as I stare down at my little black fluff ball. When I’ve calmed down enough, I grab the bag of food and tuck it carefully back into the top cabinet to the sounds of Venom’s disapproval.

“Dude, there is no way I’m letting you eat all that. You’ll literally pop.”

Venom’s yellow eyes narrow in a glare as if to sayand that is my prerogative.

I roll my eyes and walk to the bedroom, throwing the bag of Chinese food down on my nightstand before changing out of my work clothes. I slide on a pair of avocado-patterned jammies and jump into bed, pulling the comforter over my lap before retrieving my book and Chinese food.

I pry open the book to the latest dog-eared page, shoveling huge mouthfuls of lo mein into my mouthas I read.And to think I would have missed this if I had gone out with Jim.I think back to what he said—how I never go out. What he wanted to say was that he thinks I’m notliving, but what would he know about that anyway?

All the excitement I need comes from my job and the pages of romance books. Why would I want to add another element of it to my already stressful life?

I shake my head with a chuckle, my smile widening as Venom hops onto the bed and curls up on the pillow next to me.See, I’m not alone. Jim doesn’t know what he’s talking about

Satisfied, I finish my lo mein in peace, stopping occasionally to slip Venom a piece of chicken. When I finish the container, I place it on the nightstand and reach into the bag, my fingers curling greedily around the plastic-wrapped cookies.

I open the first one, my mouth watering at the delicate crinkling of the plastic wrapping. I snap the perfect half-moon down the center, popping the first half of the cookie into my mouth. I chew slowly, trying to guess the nature of my fortune before looking at the little slip of white paper lodged into the other half. It’s a little game I play with myself—a stupid one, I know—but it gives me a strange sense of joy when my guess is close.

Hmm. Something about love? No, career. Yeah, that’s what it is.Swallowing the first half, I tug the paper from the crease and bring it close to my eyes to read.

“Every wise person started out by asking many questions.”

Okay, not career-related. Maybe on the next one.I quickly peel open the other cookies, popping both first halves into my mouth to get to the fortunes quicker. I keep my guess the same, but the other two are no closer than the first.

“Fear and desire are two sides of the same coin.”

“Have a beautiful day.”

I’m almost one hundred percent sure those do not count as fortunes. And one of them is just pure laziness—even if it is nice to wish someone a beautiful day.I frown, throwing the papers and plastic wrappings into the bag along with the empty lo mein container.

Better luck next time, I guess.I sigh, dusting my hands off before opening my book once more, my eyes poring greedily over the passages. But even as I get lost in the story, I can’t shake the strange nagging in the back of my mind.

That someone is watching me.

CHAPTER SEVEN

GHOST

The Code: Rule #3

Remove yourself from all worldly attachments. (To disobey this rule is to welcome misery and misfortune upon yourself and others).

I tapmy wrist against the wall, listening to the telltale scrape of the heavy stone as my door slides open. I flick on the entry light, squeezing my eyes against the change from the shadows. There's a rustling noise, then the familiar scrape of nails against stone before something large and fluffy barrels into my chest.

I step back to steady myself, a smile tipping my lips as Rupert, my Great Pyrenees, happily laps at my mask.Technically,I’m not supposed to own anyanimals—or show affection to any living thing. But the Sanctum can fuck right off with that rule.

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