Page 70 of Obsession

“Cora returned to Memphis pregnant with me and magically hid us. She died less than a month after I was born.”

“And your father?”

“I don’t know who he is. Grandma says Mama wouldn’t talk about it, and both Lucy and Bettina claim not to know.” I’ve thought about working magic to learn more about him, but decided against it. Mama went to a heck of a lot of trouble to hide us, and maybe she did so because of him. My mind comes up with a few scenarios as to why that stone really is better left unturned.

“Azrael must return Bettina to this realm. I need to question her.”

“We need to question her,” I correct him. He gives me an intimidating look. I give him a sweet smile in return. “Should we meet with Lucy?”

“If Lucy is involved with Augustus’s disappearance, I don’t want to tip her off about my involvement.”

“Our involvement.”

“Bettina has already shown her hand, so I’ll focus on her first.”

“We’ll focus on her first.”

He gives me a hard look as the check arrives, but I insist on paying this time. Walking back to the shop, he says, “We wait to make a move until Azrael brings in Bettina,” he commands.

“Liking the we.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” he says, crossing his arms.

“So about what happened the other night,” I start.

His phone alerts. Looking at the message, he says, “I have to go.” And with that, he disappears.

“Ugh, it’s extremely difficult to address the elephant in the room with all these supernaturals popping in and out of existence!”

“Sugar pie, there you are,” Grandma says when I step inside the apartment, tossing my keys on the entrance table. “Come watch Bermuda Love Triangle with me.”

“Sure.”

“You alright?” She gives me an appraising look.

“Right as rain,” I fib.

I’ve missed several episodes of the reality “dating” show, but shockingly enough, I’m still able to follow along. Dramatic eye roll. The show ends and I give Grandma a goodnight hug.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do in your love triangle? I’ve perfected my dark and stormy drink recipe. We need to schedule a viewing party.”

“Still not a love triangle, still no viewing party, and good night.”

“If you go with Damion, at least make him grovel. Chris is jockeying for position, and that puts you in an excellent position.”

“Chris isn’t jockeying for position,” I argue, not as convincingly as I would like.

“Whatever you say,” she calls after me.

I get ready for bed and lie down, ignoring both the feather and the rose on my nightstand.

Chapter 29

“How was your date?” Azrael asks, sipping on a fancy espresso from Italy. I really need to learn the teleportation trick.

“It wasn’t a date,” I correct him, dipping biscotti into my espresso and taking a bite.

“Whatever you say.”

---