Page 34 of Death and Donuts

“Whew. That’s a lot of suppressed desire you have going on,” she said, setting a glass in front of me. “Understandable. He’s quite the specimen.”

She leaned in a little and breathed in deeply. “If my father were here, you would be a meal he couldn’t pass up. Unsatiated lust. I need to make a dessert that captures that. There isn’t a fae alive who would be able to resist that.”

She laughed lightly and ran a finger along my cheek before she set the other glass on the table and retreated.

Unsure if Aibell had just hit on me or not, I ran through the conversation a second time and realized she’d given me the answer to what fae wanted from a dessert. I just needed to figure out how to make it.

My phone buzzed as I was contemplating.

Miles: Shepard and Cross need to get to the mountain. Fast.

Me: Why?

Vena: Why?

Cross: I don’t believe they would welcome me even if the mountain weren’t locked down.

I waited for a response from Miles, but our lunch arrived first.

“Thank you,” I said.

Shepard walked in as she turned away.

“I apologize. We need to take this to-go,” he said, radiating urgency.

She took my food from me before I could sample a bite.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Can I explain in the car?” he asked.

“Of course.”

I didn’t ask anything else until we were on the road.

“Was it the message from Miles?” I asked.

“Miles messaged? What did he say?” he asked, proving that wasn’t it.

“He said that he needs you and Cross to get to the mountain.”

“Why?”

“He didn’t say. If we’re not leaving because of him, then why?”

“A body was found. Completely drained. He’s from one of the coastal homes on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. Doc has some concerns and needs me to go there.”

“Oh. Let him know I’m sorry for the text I sent. I didn’t mean?—”

Shepard's hand closed over mine.

“Don’t apologize for that. I liked it, and he understands.”

My phone started to vibrate with an incoming call. Shepard released me so I could answer.

“Why isn’t Miles answering, Ev?” Vena demanded. “What’s happening in the mountain that he needs ShepardandCross?What about my parents? Why do things keep happening to my family?”

My heart hurt for her because she wasn’t wrong. First, her grandparents, then Miles, Anchor, and now Miles and her parents.

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