Page 192 of Nanny and the Beast

"I'm thinking back to when we were kids," I say. "If you told me that this is how my life would end up, I would have laughed in your face."

"Why?" he asks, sounding genuinely curious.

I make a sweeping gesture with my arm.

"What do you mean why? It's a dumpster fire."

"Bullshit," he says. "You've done well for yourself. You run multiple successful businesses. You provide for your family. And the biggest achievement of your life—you have a smoking-hot body. Do you have any idea how much I envy your calves?"

"You're right, I am pretty sexy." I chuckle.

"And let's not speak about how humble you are," Alaric says.

"I learned from the best," I say, smiling at my best friend.

There's a warmth in my chest. I know it's artificial, a culmination of chemicals in my bloodstream. But I let myself enjoy the moment of peace.

"Do you hear that?" Alaric asks.

"What?" I say.

"Footsteps," he says.

All I can hear is the sound of the rain pattering against the windows. But a moment later, a shadow appears outside my door. It's in the shape of a person. It could also be a small animal, but I know it's not.

"She always shows up whenever you drop by," I whisper.

"Is she going to try to come inside?" Alaric asks.

"She's harmless," I say, stifling a yawn.

"Should we call someone?" he asks.

"She'll leave when she wants to," I say. "She never stays for more than a few minutes."

The shadow outside shifts. Alaric yelps out loud, which makes me laugh. I stop laughing when I hear a soft, feminine laughter join me.

"Dude, this is beyond creepy," he says, pulling the covers up to his chin. "You heard that too, right?"

"I didn't know she could speak," I say, sitting up in bed and pushing the covers off me.

"Um, where are you going?" he asks, reaching for me.

I ignore him and walk toward the door.

I hear another giggle before the shadow disappears.

"For God's sake, don't open the door," Alaric pleads.

I reach for the door handle.

"I can't watch this," Alaric says, hiding under the covers now.

I swing the door open. At the same time, the door to the room opposite mine opens as well.

Emma stands before me in a long white nightgown. Her hair is in a loose braid, and there are still remnants of glitter on her skin. Her eyes are wide as she stares up at me.

She looks like an angel that entered the world by mistake.

---