Page 52 of The HalloQueen

ANNABEL

Araven had flown through the restaurant patio. Right through it. And if I hadn’t known any better, I would have thought it looked directly at me. I pulled out my phone.

ANNABEL:What are you doing right now?

He didn’t text back right away, which was odd in itself. But…vampires weren’t birds, they were bats, right? Then why did it feel like that monster of an animal knew me? Was it an Other? Thomas had said that now that I knew Others existed, that they were more likely to find me, and nothing screamed “Other” like a bird with a wingspan almost as tall as me.

“We should head to the Cauldron, guys, don’t you think? I’m catching weird vibes.”

“You and your vibes, Bels,” Trae chortled, “You think anything bad is going to happen when you’re with me?”

“He’s basically a giant,” Shannon nearly swooned at him, rubbing his short hair as she stood from our table. He’d just gone to get it faded at his Uncle’s barber shop and the top was wonderfully fluffy compared to the sides. He stood as well, towering over both of us and wrapping his strong arms around our waists.

“I promise to protect you from the giant bird,” he teased.

“Okay, but really, that was a fucking huge bird,” Shannon added placing her pale hand over his dark one, “and lots of people are scared of birds. I’m pretty sure that’s a thing.”

Unease still moved over me, making me bite my lip, “guys, I’m…you know, I’m wondering if I should head home.”

“What? Come on, you said you were taking a night off from Thomas and hanging out with us.”

“The French guy from last week? The one who looked like an espresso model?”

I scoffed, “says the guy who’s literally had life-size cutouts made of him in his basketball uniform.”

“College is expensive, babe.”

“Never said it wasn’t.”

Shannon stopped in front of a little store, “I need to run in here real quick, you guys cool waiting for me?”

“Absolutely, babe,” Trae leaned down and kissed Shannon on the lips and she beamed, prancing inside.

“So, how’s that going?” I asked him, walking to a bench under a tree to sit.

“Really good, she’s awesome.”

“Good. Hey - she doesn’t know about…”

“Oh I know, and I’d like to keep it that way if it’s okay?”

I frowned and crossed my leg, “I think you should be honest with her, but it’s your relationship so it’s your choice. But I know for a fact that if she finds out, and you haven’t told her that she will kill you with her own two hands.”

His deep laugh resonated through his chest and into the metal bench, “I don’t know if we’re going to be serious or not, but it’s not worth risking fucking everything up over me and you hooking up a few times. I’m not sure how I feel about her having kids, but we are having fun right now and that’s all that matters.”

“Trae, if you’re not comfortable with the girls, that needs to be a conversation that happens sooner rather than later. The girls are her whole life.”

“I’m not saying that I won’t be into it, I’m just still getting to know her. Don’t stress out so much. We don’t even have plans for me to meet them anytime soon.” He stretched his arm behind me on the bench and smiled, “Now, youandShannon would definitely be something I’d be into.”

I laughed and swatted his chest, “you’ve always been so bad.”

“Bad with what?” Shannon asked coming out of the shop.

“He’s just a flirt, that’s all.”

“Are you going to come with us to the Cauldron, Bels?”

I shook my head, “No, I’m suddenly feeling crummy. I’m going to head home. I hope you guys have fun though.” I stood and kissed Shannon’s cheek and pat Trae’s with a little more force than needed.

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