Page 25 of Violet Moon
The top floor of Snake and Ivy, the bar they frequented, was street-level.The bottom floor dug down into the lake it sat beside.It was a popular spot for merpeople because they didn’t have to “leg it” just to come on shore for a drink or two.Inside it was dim, even for a werewolf’s eyes.The place was decorated like a flea market, a taxidermy shop, and an apothecary exploded onto the floor, ceiling, and walls.It was a fantastic mess.Sera loved it.
They walked up to the bar to order, scanning the list of seasonal drinks but it was a foregone conclusion that Parisa would get the same thing she always did and Sera would leave it up to the knowledgeable bartender who ran the place.
“What do you have for me tonight, Jaime?”
The woman behind the counter flashed a toothy grin.“It’s been a while.I’ve seen more of your younger ones than you two lately.That Jo is a hoot.Had to make a new drink and everything because they wanted something spicy?I don’t know.Weird but fun.”
“What’d you make for them?”Sera asked, leaning on the bar.
“I started with a drink that used cayenne pepper, but that wasn’t enough.So I ended up doing a quick infusion with habanero and a bit of warm booze to serve up something with some habanero vodka, mango, and a whole mess of ginger.”
“Sounds good?”Sera replied, unsure.
“I hated it.”Jaime laughed, her chest puffing out with every deep, rumbling chuckle from her body.For a human, she was built very much like the ideal wolf.“So I won’t be making that for you tonight, but I do have some local cherry liqueur that I want to try out on you in a new cocktail I’ve been thinking up tonight.”She turned to Parisa.“And for you, Miss Alpha?The usual?”
“An Old Fashioned because that’s what I am,” Parisa responded.
“And you stick with it for decades, undeterred by anything else that swings past your view.I respect that.”
They chatted with Jaime as she made their drinks, then they claimed a spot on a worn sofa sandwiched in between a grandfather clock and a potted tree covered in fake crows.Even with her wolf’s senses, the dim light and the constant conversation around them made her lean forward so she could see and hear Parisa better.The closer she got, though, the more her heartbeat rang louder in her ears.She watched Parisa’s lips and belatedly realized Parisa was asking her a question.
“Sorry,” she apologized, tearing her eyes away from Parisa’s face to stare at a taxidermied bird on the wall.“Lost in my own world for a second there.”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“It’s nothing really.I’m just tired.”Her heart was still racing.Surely Parisa had noticed.
“These pre-full moon days take their toll on me, too, even after all these years.With all the growing strength, there’s aches and pains that I don’t remember having a decade ago.”Parisa laughed.
Parisa looked so soft when she laughed.Her dark brown hair cascaded down her face, framing her round cheeks and bright smile.Sera hadn’t seen that smile as often lately.She’d missed it.Warmth flooded her chest and she took a sip of her drink because suddenly words were hard to find.
“Have you moved on to another book from Edgar’s library?”
Sera nodded.
“What’s it about?”
“It’s science fiction, so not usually my thing, but it follows this human captain of a starship as he, well — it’s about exploration and the marks we leave on worlds whether we intend to or not.”
Parisa’s eyes lit up as she pointed across the table excitedly.“I read that one!How far are you?I don’t want to spoil anything.”
“When do you have time to read?”
“We both know I’m a terrible sleeper.”
“I’m nearly finished.Maybe about a third of the book left.”
Parisa set down her wine glass and clapped her hands together.“You’re deep into the relationship by now, then, right?They’ve gotten together, the uh, the what’s his name, the captain and the chief medical officer?”
Sera felt her face warming.“They’re not together yet, but there’s been some —” She trailed off.
“It wouldn't be an Edgar book without some spice.”She leaned in towards Sera.“Nice to have a little heat on these chilly nights, right,azizam?”
Sera choked on air, unsure why she was running so warm.Surely the drink wasn’t that strong.“What’s that mean, anyway?Azizam?You say it all the time around me but I haven’t heard you call anyone else that.”
Parisa chewed on her lip, hands knotted together in her lap.“It’s just a little nickname.”
“But what does it mean?”
