Page 1 of Bony Bony
CHAPTER1
GIANNA
Myconcert plan backfired.I’dchosen a mega-sized pineapple seltzer soIwouldn’t need to leave my spot for another drink run, butIdidn’t think about a bathroom break.Itwas a beautiful spring night for an outdoor concert, and the scent of the afternoon rain lingered on the grass.Myfriends andIhad driven fromSalembefore sundown in a van with protective windows in the back so thatDiego, a vampire, wouldn’t be singed by sunlight.
Itried not to think about the urge to pee asIwaited for the song to finish.Whenthe next song started, oneIdidn’t recognize, it was time to run for it.
“Ladies’ room, anyone?”Iglanced at my friends,NovaandPandora, who were both witches, andZoe, an elf.Theyall declined.
Sebastian, my mate and husband, asked me, “Wantme to walk with you?” in his deep, rich baritone.
“Noneed.”Isqueezed his hand to assure himI’dbe fine.Sebastiancould be overly protective due to his wolf shifter nature. “I’llbe back before the end of the song.”
Withthat promise,Idashed across the lawn through the crowd while the music echoed behind me.Ididn’t want to miss a moment of theCureconcert.Fortunately,Iwas wearing flats, which made it easier to rush and wouldn’t hurt my feet after dancing around on them for hours.
Aftera quick stop in the ladies’ room,Ichecked my appearance and reapplied lip gloss that matched the red on my dress and the streaks in my dark hair.Ismoothed out any wrinkles in my black sailor-style dress adorned with red bats.
Whileon the way back to the lawn,Ipassed several food and drink kiosks and then the merch stand.Ithad been so crowded earlier with people lined up thatIcouldn’t see many of the selections.Theline was short while the band was playing.Itwas sure to be packed once more after the concert.So,Iveered into the line and glanced at the options.Whywere there always so few shirts in ladies’ styles?
Ispotted a cute tank top with theCurelogo.Perfect.Oh, perhapsIshould pick something up for my retro rock club north ofBoston.Aposter or something.Hmm, that would require dealing with it during the concert, trying to keep it from getting lost or trampled.Nah,I’dskip it.Theclub already had plenty of rock memorabiliaI’dgathered over the years.
Withonly two people ahead of me, the first notes of “CharlotteSometimes” played.
“Oh,Ilove this song,”Igushed aloud to no one in particular.Ibegan to hum along and sway with the tune.
“It’sa good one,” said a man’s voice from behind.
Iturned behind me to see a tall guy with shoulder-length black hair, bright blue eyes, a blackT-shirt printed with a white swirly skull, a full sleeve of tattoos up both arms, and plenty of silver jewelry.Kindof goth-looking with his pale skin and black eyeliner.Totallyhot.
“Oneof my favorites,”Isaid, pulling out cash to speed up the transaction.
“Goodtaste,” he noted with an appreciative nod.
“Next,” the cashier called out.
Iquickly placed my order and paid.OnceIhad my tank,Ileft the merch line to head back into the concert.Butas the chorus came on,Ipaused and closed my eyes, better appreciating the haunting vibe.Isang along with it.Howmany times hadIlistened to this crooning song?Countless.Oneof the thingsNovaandIhad bonded over when we were young was music—the rallying bond between many outcasts—and there was no band better to connect to emotionally than theCure.
WhenIreopened my eyes, the guy from behind me in line stood nearby, watching me.Ithen realizedI’dbeen dancing along with the song, lost in the music.
Hesmiled. “Youlook like you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Indeed,”Iagreed with a chuckle. “Imust have been making a spectacle.”Notthat it bothered me.Ifpeople wanted to stare, let them.
“Youhave a beautiful voice,” he said.
“Thanks.”Thatwas due to my siren blood from my mother.Oursongs weren’t as devastating as all the rumors reported.Although, my mom wasn’t mother of the year, considering she’d abandoned me at birth and only returned years later to use me in her bid to rise to power—with demons, no less.Lovely.Thenshe added more points to my parental damage chart with an age curse.Family…
Hisgaze lingered on me longer than it should have. “I’mZane.What’syour name?”
Ah,Iknew what was coming next.Couldn’ta woman just enjoy herself at a concert without being hit on?
“Gianna.”ThenIquickly added, “Ibetter get back to my husband before he wonders ifIgot lost.”Iraised my hand in a friendly goodbye. “Enjoythe concert.”
Zane’sjaw twitched with displeasure, but that expression disappeared in a flash. “Goodnight.”
Izipped back through the crowd toward my friends.Theywere easy to spot with a wolf shifter, dragon shifter, and bear shifter, standing a head and shoulders above many around them.EvenNova’shusband,Diego, stood taller than most.Sebastian’shead bobbed slightly as he watched the concert.Hewore a forest-greenT-shirt and black jeans, both which fitted him so well and highlighted his brawny frame.Iadmired him asIapproached, drinking in his dark hair, strong profile, and neat beard.
WhenSebastian’sgaze met mine, his lips turned into a smile that brightened his deep brown eyes.Thatsmile made me tingle, even after all this time. “Hey, beautiful, you missed your song.Ialmost came looking for you.”
