Page 30 of Dirty December

“I gotta tip you better,” he mutters, hands in his pockets.

“Well, I’d never say no to that.” I have a black velvet drape on my table every night. Just because I’m showcasing deadly weapons doesn’t mean I can slack on presentation. Right now, I clear a space and put down a selection of poison rings and some of my “daintier” weapons.

Leo looks at a black leather band that has a shiny silver box in the center. From the filigreed box came a knitting-needle thin dagger of shining silver. From the other side was a wooden rod of the same length and thickness with a silver tip.

“Don’t trip.” My voice is just a rumble in the dark, protective instincts nudging up in my chest. “The silver makes for easy penetration. The wood will slip right through the heart. It’ll kill a vamp or a werewolf.”

“Hell, that’ll kill a human,” Leo points out, never losing the half-grin on his face. “Anything in the heart, dude, beating or still. How does it work?” He lightly taps the center of the metal box with its ornate design.

“Telescoping barbs controlled by a catch on the band. It has a safety. The barbs resist pressure, however. An effective weapon that I can demonstrate.” I bend down to my insulated lunch box at my feet and pull out a cantaloupe. I’m a vegetarian, and I usually eat one melon per night during my “lunch” break. If I get to use it as a demo first, that’s fine. “Let’s say this represents a human head.”

“Let’s say it doesn’t. I believe you without puncturing an innocent fruit. How much?”

“Fifty.”

“A steal. I’ll take it. But can you make me something else, too? Something that isn’t a weapon. A necklace?”

I flex my thick fingers, fingers that have a light coating of hair, the same as any bull. These mitts are big, but not clumsy. Still, I wouldn’t consider myself adept at jewelry making. I’ve never really tried it unless it was to conceal a weapon. “There are two other stalls here that sell jewelry, Leo.”

“Yeah, and they’re both good places, but not what I want. I like your work. Your style. You put something of longing into the metal. Like a little piece of your soul, man.”

I blink down at my wares. Really? My soul was in there? Maybe an occasional piece of hair, but... I shrug. Leo is a good customer and he doesn’t talk much. That speech contained the most words I’ve ever heard him say at one time. If it means that much to him, I’ll do it. “Sure, Leo. When do you want it and what did you have in mind?”

He hands me a drawing on a creased piece of staff paper. Two interlocking metal hearts, one covered with leaves and flowers, one covered with thorns and spikes. Leo and Tess.

Dang it. My eyes were instantly welling up. The wolf and his witch. My voice cracks, “Two weeks?”

“You’re the best, Milo. You know, some woman’s going to be so lucky when she finds you.”

Leo walks off. I fold the paper carefully and hide it in my tackle box. I feel a tiny sliver of hope in my heart. When Leo speaks, it’s important and he means it.

Lucky to find me.

I’ll be lucky to find her, too...

Follow Milo and Libby as they find their way to a steamy happy ending!

ReadThe Minotaur’s Valentine today!

Velvet Wings

Lennox

I’m having a very bad day. No, let’s make that a very badmonth.

It’s not enough to be one of the only mothmen left in West Virginia, or that I have no hope of finding a mate or even being able to pop into the grocery store without attracting terrified screams—but now my home has been destroyed, too.

With my forest gone and my career as an amateur arborist kaput, I do the unthinkable. I leave my family and head to paranormal-friendly Pine Ridge, knowing that I can find safety there...and maybe even get WiFi and the occasional convenience store veggie wrap. If I really want to shoot for the moon, perhaps in a year or two I’ll be doing well enough to convince my hothead brother to leave the ruins of our old life and join me.

Cindy

I’m getting old. Okay, no, not really, but I’m becoming moremature.I just watched one of my best friends seize life with both hands and go from a struggling, single waitress to an engaged pastry chef and business owner. I want that. Okay, maybe I don’t want to own a business, but I’m tired of random hookups and fun flings. I want to find my person, that one special somebody and Pine Ridge seems like the place to do it. I don’t know what it is about this little town, but wedding bells always seem to be ringing!

There’s just one problem. I’m not the good girl type. I don’t know how to keep things serious. I don’t even know where tofinda guy who wants to settle down and start a new life. Even ifI did, I don’t know if he’d be into someone like me. (My friends say I’m kind of a lot.)

It’s not like Mr. Sweet-And-Sensitive is going to fall out of the sky and land at my feet...

Chapter One: Lennox

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