Page 41 of Bony Bony
Ihuffed and planted one hand on my hip. “Comeon,Nova.Youdon’t have to analyze me likeI’ma case at theNetwork.”Hergroup withPandora,Cassandra,Lucas, andZoedealt with all sorts of magical mishaps.Sebastian,Diego, andIvolunteered as needed, which fortunately hadn’t been for some time.
“I’mnot saying you’re a problem—just that something’s—off.Isensed it at your place andI’msensing it again tonight.”Shestudied me, peering closer. “Wait, let me see that necklace.”
“Why?”Myhand instinctively covered it and warmth tingled in my palm.
“Wheredid you get it from?”
Iavoided eye contact and glanced around the club. “Ibetter go help at the bar before there’s a stampede.”
“Gianna.”Hervoice lowered to a more serious tone. “Lookat me.”
AlthoughIdelayed doing so,Ifinally met her gaze. “What?”
“Giveme that necklace,” she demanded, looking evermore fierce in the dead girl costume.
“No.”Iclasped it more tightly. “Whydo you want it?”
“That’sit.”Sheraised her hand and hovered it close to the pendant. “That’swhatIwas sensing at your place.Ithas some sort of magical energy that’s—not good.”Thesides of her lips turned downward.
“Don’tbe ridiculous,Nova.It’ssimply a necklace.”Igrunted. “Nowwho’s the one acting weird?”
“Gianna,”Novainsisted in a knock-it-off voice and held her hand out.Forsomeone so petite, she appeared to grow another two feet in her demanding tone.
“Fine.”Ihuffed in frustration before pulling the necklace over my head and handing it to her. “You’rescary as a dead girl.”
Novaignored me as she studied the necklace.Whenshe glanced up at me, her shadow-lined eyes widened. “Howlong have you been wearing this?”
Ishrugged. “Notlong.”Itook in a deep breath and heaved out a slow exhale.
“Gianna, this necklace has been tampered with.Whoevergave this to you didn’t have your best intentions in mind.”
Iadjusted my stance and broke eye contact. “Don’tbe silly,”Idismissed. “Itwas simply a gift.”
“Fromwhom?”Novapushed again. “Anddon’t bullshit me.I’mdead serious right now.”
Ajoke about her dead girl costume crept to my lips, butIbit it back.Ishoved hair from the blonde wig off my cheek. “Itwas a goodbye gift fromZaneand the band.”
Novaspat, “Thosebastards!”
Ifaced her in surprise.Shetook a slow breath and closed her eyes as if attempting to calm down.Whenshe reopened them, she peered at me with such scrutiny, it felt like my pores had widened to the size of canyons.Ishrank beneath the probing gaze of my petite friend.
Isquirmed. “Whyare you looking at me like that?”
“I’mtrying to see how you’re affected.”Shetook me by the upper arm. “Let’sgo findPandora.Maybewe should go into theNetworkand see if we can figure out what’s going on with you—and that necklace.”
Ipulled my arm away. “Notnow,Nova.Ican’t just walk out of my club.I’vebeen planning this party for weeks.”
“Butwhat if you’ve been affected by this necklace?”
Igroaned. “Itwouldn’t be the first timeI’vedealt with unwanted magic.”Iblew out a frustrated breath. “Buteven with the age curse,Iwas able to make it through one night.Wecan deal with it later.Atleast wait until closing.”
Novabit her bottom lip and shifted her weight to the other foot. “Idon’t like it.Ineed to talk toPandora.”
“Sufferingseaweed!”Ihuffed. “Don’tbe a literal party pooper,Nova.”Imotioned around us. “Look, everyone is around us having a good time.Youneed to do the same for a little while.Forgetabout work and focus onNova.Whatyou need is a drink.Spookysangria?”Witha sly smile,Iadded, “Maybea twinge of blood in it?Thatshould be a total turn on forDiegolater.”
Novaslanted her head and pierced me with a knowing look. “Iknow what you’re doing, my friend.”
“Andwhat’s that?”
