Page 24 of Charmed By Destiny

“I doubt it, but I don’t know you that well. Maybe you’re a drama queen who’ll pretend to have a raging migraine so you can leave work early.”

“No, I fear stuff like that.”

“Drama queens?”

“No, I can appreciate someone who is good at their chosen craft, even those with a penchant for drama. I’m scared of pretending to have something. What if I accidentally manifest it into existence? I’ve never had a migraine, but they sound horrific. I don’t want one.”

“Me either,” Richard replied. “Best thing about what I am is the lack of pain and suffering. Sorry, that was insensitive. No one ever explained to me whether it’s the same for an inspirit, and by the time the issue presents itself, I’ve been too embarrassed to ask an inspirit directly.”

It took Luke a moment to figure out what Richard was talking about, but when it registered, he sobered swiftly. Unlike necromancers, inspirits died. The real shit part was that no one had any clue how long their lifespan was until they had the first hint that the end was nearing. An inspirit slowly turned to a skeleton before their life ended. One day, Luke would wake with bony toes, and he’d have to figure out how to hide himself until his existence was over.

“Yeah, I don’t know if it hurts. I guess I’d rather be surprised than know beforehand. I’m not usually into mysteries, but I make an exception for that.”

Richard nodded. “Shit, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Please forgive me, that was unprofessional and none of my business. If it was up to me, no inspirit would face death.”

“It’s okay. It’s a part of life. I’d rather have lived than the alternative, you know?”

“Since I’ve already crossed the line, can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure,” Luke replied. He’d answer whatever Richard asked.

“Have you heard from your friend? Are they okay?”

Luke smiled. “Yes. Thanks to my first paycheck, I was able to send him some money. I need to check in with him again tonight, but hopefully, he’s saving it like me.”

“You splurged a little. Those are new shoes.”

“You really notice everything, don’t you?”

“It’s a gift. What’s your friend’s name?”

“Foxe.”

“I hope Foxe is doing well.”

“Thanks,” Luke said. “Now, should we decide what we’re going to drink to give us a sugar rush this morning?”

“I’m adding a cookie. I deserve it.”

“No doubt,” Luke replied with a chuckle. “If you’re still paying, I may get a cookie too.”

“What do you mean,if I’m still paying? What about me screams,not a man of his word?”

“I don’t know you like that,” Luke countered, his grin growing wider. “Maybe you’ll dart off and pretend like we’ve never met.”

“It’s ten in the morning. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the casino is pretty empty. People are going to notice if I’m sprinting through the resort.”

“A gazelle cloaked in black. Yeah, that won’t go unnoticed.”

Richard snorted. “A gazelle? Not with these short legs.”

Luke plucked his cellphone out of his pocket and did a quick internet search. “Gazelles reach a height of forty-three inches. So, my statement stands. A tall gazelle dressed in black, bounding through the casino floor.”

The way Richard’s gaze lit up made Luke’s dick twitch. So did his throaty laugh. “Okay, well, this little gazelle promised to pay, and she will.”

“Good, I’ll get two cookies.”

That statement only made Richard chuckle harder. “Don’t ruin your lunch.”

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