Page 36 of Bony Bony
Iwalked toward the window and glanced outside.WhyhadIpinned myself here inSalem?NowIwas stuck in one place, dealing with the drudgery of paying a mortgage.Icould be out there, exploring—seeing the world.Icould be on the road, nothing and no one holding me back.Theurge to callZanereturned.CouldIstill join them on tour?Inever should have passed on that opportunity.Rightnow,Icould be traveling to a different city.Icould play on a different stage each night, meeting new people…
“Somethingis off in here.Doyou feel it?”Novaasked.
Iturned. “Whatare you talking about?”
Shestood and raised her hand. “Ifeel something.Ican’t place it.Thetemperature in here changed.Don’tyou feel it?It’swarmer.”Withoutwaiting for me to answer, she walked around the living room. “It’senergy.Magic.”
Mymuscles clenched. “Noidea what you mean.”Ishrugged. “Wejust went shopping at witchy stores.You’reprobably picking up on that.”
“Maybe,” she agreed.Thenshe walked over to me and gazed up. “Areyou sure you’re all right,Gianna?”
Istepped back, away from her. “Ofcourse.Whywouldn’tIbe?”Herassessment bothered me, andIwasn’t sure why.Isearched for a new topic. “TheHalfwaytoHalloweenparty is thisSaturday.Doyou andDiegohave your costumes yet?Youbetter dress up.Iwant this to be a hit.”
“Yes, we’ll dress up.”Nova’sface tightened into a cringe. “ForHalloweeninJune,” she grumbled.
“Fantastic.”Iignored her lack of enthusiasm asIbrought my hands together. “Makesure you remind the others when you see them.”
Novawas silent for a few seconds. “IncludingSebastian?”
Ipursed my lips and turned away. “Thatwould be awkward, considering.”
Novasighed. “He’syour husband and your mate,Gianna.Youcan’t avoid him forever.”
ZANE
Atsundown,Irose.Afterclimbing out of bed,Iimmediately headed to the mirror that gave me access toGianna.Thenecklace was working as it should—when she wore it.Butwhen she’d taken it off to go swimming, its effectiveness in influencing her diminished.So,I’daskedMaxto strengthen the spell to distract her from removing it.
Ifshe removed the necklace, the magic wouldn’t be able to influence her.
Still, it had managed to do whatI’dwanted.Throughthe eyes of my skeletal spy,I’dlearned that she’d split withSebastian, at least temporarily.NotifIhad anything to do with it.Soon,I’dmake sure the break was permanent.
Watchingher had turned into an obsession.WheneverIgrew hungry,I’dgo in search of a woman who looked like her.Thatwasn’t easy as there was no one who looked like my siren.Thenight would soon arrive whenI’dtaste her sweet blood.Icould practically taste it flowing on my tongue.Myfangs itched to emerge and bury into her luscious flesh.
Soon, she’d be in my band.Inmy bed.She’dbe mine.
Afterwatching the object of my fixation as she interacted with others at the club,Iheaded out to the garage.Wehad practice scheduled for after sundown whenIwoke.Ididn’t know or care what the rest of the band did during the day whenIslept.Allthat concerned me about them was that they were available for practice and for our shows.
Everyonewas on time, which pleased me.Violetsat at her drums andGuntheradjusted strings on his guitar.Maxleaned against the wall, dressed in black and blending into the shadows.
Tonight,Ihad something much more important to discuss than band matters.Instead, we’d focus on the next part of my plan.
Ipaced before them, bringing my fingertips together. “Giannais almost ready,”Ideclared, unable to keep the smugness from my voice. “Themagic is working.Welldone,Max.”
Hisnod from the darkness was almost imperceptible.
Violetput down her drumsticks. “Howcan you be sure?”
“Becauseshe’s already kicked the mutt out,”Ireplied.
Gunthersnorted. “Youdon’t think he’ll come sniffing around for his mate?”
Iscowled, thinking about my adversary.Soon, that pesky furbag would be out of the picture.He’dnever lay his clunky paws onGiannaagain.She’dbe mine. “Itdoesn’t matter.Shedoesn’t want him anymore.Ifhe does come after her, he’ll end up slinking away broken-hearted, tail between his legs.”
Myband mates exchanged glances as if uncertain about something.
“Whatis it?”Idemanded.
“Whatif she doesn’t want to join us?”Guntherasked.
