Page 3 of Blood and Bonbons

“No.”

“Please. Let’s hear him out.”

Vena hadn’t chosen a nice sedate occupation such as a researcher like her brother. Oh no. She wasn’t one to sit still for hours at a time. She wanted to follow in her grandparents' footsteps as a treasure hunter.

“Not happening,” I said. “The last time you went after something, you came home with a concussion and bruised ribs. You’re officially grounded from hunting.”

“What if I said this artifact could cover the tuition for both our fall semesters?”

“I’d say it’s not worth the risk.”

“Think about the math. Do you know how long it will take us to pay off our loans at an entry-level ‘normal’ job? Forever. And we’re not the only ones who’d benefit from this. Miles has been working his butt off to establish connections in the trade. The only way anyone will ever pay him for his research information is if it proves viable to someone else. If you won’t agree for our sakes, then do it for Miles,” she said with a sweetness that only came out for coercion. “He really needs a win.”

“This goes beyond bakery. We’re talking high-end chocolate now.”

She grinned, knowing she had won. I sulked a little on the way to the bakery and consoled myself with a beignet and a fancy eight-inch chocolate-layered cake to-go.

“I promise this won’t be like the last time,” Vena said as she drove us home. “I’ve been reading my grandparents’ journals. Prepared will be my middle name.”

Rolling my eyes, I swallowed a bite of my bribe so I could respond.

“It’s impossible to prepare for the unexpected. So your promise is pointless and not appreciated. Why can’t you be a dentist or something?”

“Could you seriously see me doing something that mundane?”

I couldn’t. Hunting for treasure was in Vena’s blood from her father’s side. Her grandparents had been renowned for their finds, and both Vena and Miles sought the same notoriety within the Shadow Trade community. I didn’t. Her grandparents had mysteriously disappeared on a hunting expedition ten years ago, and it wasn’t a fate I wanted my best friend to share. Not that she ever listened to my warnings.

“I’m going to worry the entire time you’re gone,” I said instead.

“Unless you come with me.”

“Ha! Not happening. If treasure hunting concusses you, it would kill me.”

It was an old argument. While treasure hunting might call to her as a means to earn money, it didn't call to me. No matter how boring regular employment sounded, it was safe. I liked safe. And I liked knowing when and how much I would get paid.

Miles’ empty car sat at the curb in front of our house when we arrived. Seeing it tweaked my anxiety. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop Vena from diving head-first into whatever hunt her brother’s latest research lead would take her on, which only made me worry for her more.

She parked behind his car and got out.

Taking care with my cake, I did the same and looked at our old, one-story bungalow. A cheery yellow coated the wood siding, one of the few nice attributes of the place. The deafening noise of the train rattling behind our house was the biggest negative. However, our home’s proximity to the still active track was one of the reasons we could afford the rent. The daily mini tremors were the reason we couldn’t hang any pictures.

We climbed the weathered steps and crossed the slanted porch to the front door. Inside, the train was muted enough that Vena called out a greeting once the door was closed.

“In here,” Miles called back.

We made our way through the small living room to the dining room. Papers were spread out over the table, along with a few maps. Miles’ research, no doubt.

Shaking my head, I continued to the kitchen and found Miles bent at the waist, looking at the contents of our fridge.

In the month since we’d last seen him, he’d changed. Based on the way his jeans hugged his backside and thighs, he’d built muscle. It looked good. But then again, forbidden usually always looked good.

“Looking for something?” Vena asked, walking in behind me.

He straightened and flashed us a grin. His tousled light brown hair and the excitement dancing in his bespeckled blue eyes made my stomach dip.

As Vena’s lifelong friend, I should have been immune to Miles’ good looks and charm. Not a chance. He was smart, fun to be around, and had an athletic build that would make any straight girl’s mouth water.

“Please tell me there’s something in that bag for me,” he begged, seeing the bakery bag I held.

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