Page 56 of Rise of the Melody
“Feedoff them?” Okay, that sounded as bad as it got.
“Not enough to kill them,” she amended. “They basically siphon energy from humans when they join together?—”
“Sexually,” Clare added in a sultry voice, in case I wasn’t getting the drift.
“Got it,” I said. “Does it hurt the humans?”
“It leaves them tired. Not able to work for a day or two. We’re not sure if it takes from their life expectancy or not, but it’s possible.”
We stared out at the sea for a long while until a voice from above called out, startling us all.
“Didn’t mean to scare you!” Aunt Lorna yelled. “I have snacks!”
We climbed our way up quickly, but carefully. At the top Aunt Lorna had laid out a sheet with plates of celery with peanut butter and raisins—ants on a log—and rice cakes smothered in Nutella and banana slices. She had a pitcher of ice water, a kettle of hot tea, and a cheese and cracker platter.
“Wow!” Clare fell to her knees with a huge smile.
“This looks so good,” Shani said to my aunt. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks Auntie.” I gave her a smile and she tilted her head, rubbing my back.
I sat with them on the sheet, and we told Aunt Lorna all about the possible selkie. Her expression was one of surprise and wonder. “We did have a couple selkies here about twenty years ago wreaking havoc on the local fisherman. Had them fighting over them in pubs and everything. Every man who encountered one was obsessed.”
“No way!” Clare said through a mouthful.
We listened to stories as we shoved our faces, and I was happy to see my friends getting along with Aunt Lorna. Even the outdoor cats came over and let us love on them, which felt like such a treat. Aunt Lorna caught my eye and we both smiled. I hadn’t really had friends in New York. Not the kind that came over to hang out with me.
When we were done, we packed up what was left and Aunt Lorna took it back inside, leaving us to stretch out on the sheet.
“So,” said Clare. “Did you know any mystics in New York City?”
“Oh, yes!” Shani rolled onto her stomach with her chin on her palms.
They were rapt, watching me. My guts stirred a little. I didn’t want to add any lies to the pot of crap, but I was dying to tell them about Zar. Maybe I could say just a little. “Well, no. But there was this one guy I ran into who I think was a druid.”
Shani’s eyebrows bounced. “Do tell.”
I took a deep breath and told them the whole story of the night I went to the club. I got a chill remembering the way he looked at me and how I’d felt.
Clare gasped. “Wait,allof your hair color?”
I nodded and watched her share a look with Shani.
“Did you catch his name?” Shani asked.
I shook my head.
“I mean, what was he doing there?” Clare asked. “It’s so random.”
“Vacation?” I asked.
“All by himself, though?” Shani said. “Creeping in an alley? Is it possible he felt your magic and that’s why he approached?”
“Maybe. I was wearing a smaller cuff then,” I told them. “My aunt said she could feel my power through it.”
“Whoa,” Shani said. “That is wild.”
“Was he hot?” Clare asked.
