Page 71 of Infernal Hearts

She lifts her hand and points to a small red rune on her wrist. “I couldn’t even sense you with this.”

“I was sleeping. You know that cuts us off.”

“You barely have any time left and you’re hitting your snooze button. You need help. So what’s the plan?”

I wish that she didn’t just remind me of my impending doom. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re obviously useless on your own.” She motions up and down my body with her hand, clearly pointing out the athletic wear. “With the exception of young secretaries.”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s dangerous for creatures here. I met a vampire the other night that was scared shitless, and now he’s dead, not to mention that I got attacked my first night here. I’m not big on the idea of you being around for this.”

“I can handle myself just fine, thanks. And I’m made of sturdier stuff than any human.” She pulls down her sunglasses, the large slits down the center of her yellow eyes narrow with distrust.

“There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”

“I’m your only friend, you twat. And I already flew across the country to get here.” She gives me a light kick on the leg. “Now, where’s the hotel? I need a nap.”

I don’t know how to tell her this—it won’t be good. “The thing is, I’m kind of staying here.”

Her nose wrinkles. “Why on earth would you do something like that?”

“For one, I didn’t know you’d drop everything and hunt me down. Two, I might have cut a little deal with the vet.”

She opens her mouth to say something presumably harsh but instead just stops. “This isn’t worth the fight. It’s clearly something you’ve got your heart set on. Your life, your choices.”

“Thanks for the love and support.” I know this is about as warm and fuzzy as she gets.

She lets out a deep breath and kicks a rock with her high heel. “So where to first?”

I reach into my pocket, fiddling with the key Jay and I found. She’s going to hate this. “A psychic we found.”

“Oh my god, enough with the psychics. They’re bullshit.”

“She’s kind of the real deal. I couldn’t give her much to go off of last time, but now I can.”

“Ugh.” She turns and gets into her rental car. “Let’s go. You lead the way.”

I navigate her down the road for twenty minutes. Jay’s words echo in my brain as I direct Rani into town, and I can’t seem to shake them. Should I have turned Aranda? Was it really a bad idea? Did I condemn him to his demise? I guess I’ll never know, but I have a pool of guilt in my gut.

Rani finally breaks the silence. “So how’s the doctor?”

“I really like him.” I know she’s judging, but I really don’t care. “He’s funny, kind, and my god is his dick massive.”

“Sounds like this might be a thing.”

“Yeah, if I don’t die first.”

She shakes her head fervently. “Don’t say shit like that. We still have time.”

“I’ve been trying not to talk about it too much with Jay.” I stare absentmindedly out the window.

“Oh, so it’s Jay now?” she teases.

“Don’t be an asshole.”

Her mouth upturns. “Fine! But if he fucks you over, I’m eating him.”

“I think that’s my job, doll.”

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