Page 39 of Cruel Destinies

Kai nodded. “You have a lot of weight to carry, and I’m not talking about the recent poundage you’ve been putting on.” Kai jabbed a finger at my belly, which I immediately swatted away.

“Kai!” I growled. “I just need to get away from the Dome for a little while. I’ll be back soon enough.”

“You want some company?” he offered. “It’s been a while since we hit the pub together.”

My heart thudded in my chest. Not only because there was a very good reason he couldn’t come with me, but also because of the memory of my last pub visit—with Shea.

“Thanks, buddy. But all I want is to go to a human restaurant, order myself a slice of pumpkin pie, eat it, order another slice and eat that, too, then maybe stretch my wings out in the sky.”

Kai angled his head to the side, appearing to be having some sort of internal struggle. At last, he nodded, his lips drawing into a straight line. “You know, I’ve always been more of an apple pie guy.”

In frustration, I moved past him without saying a word and left my office.

“Remember what I said about the weight you’re carrying,” Kai called after me. “One slice is more than enough.”

With long strides, I walked away and made for the retinal-scanning door that would let me escape the confines of the Dome.

***

I considered Ubering toNeville’s, but walking in the cold allowed me more time and space to blow off steam.

A light snow fell all around, and I welcomed it with pleasure. Snow couldn’t exist within the Dome—except for the simulation room, but that didn’t count—so I took the time to enjoy Mother Nature’s offering.

The roads were wet and slushy, and cars kicked up the mucky moisture off the ground and flung it close to my boots.

Store windows flashed their silver and gold decorations, and white pillars were wrapped in red ribbon to make them look like giant candy canes. There were lit Christmas trees with shiny ornaments on display within each one, and they seemed to all be trying to outdo each other in elegance and beauty.

A peaceful calm settled in my bones, and I realized how much simpler life seemed out in the city. Deep down, I knew the city was just as crazy as life in the Dome. But for the moment, it felt like a quiet night in a recliner, a mug of hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other—even though I was in the freezing cold of downtown Chicago.

I walked by a man in a red suit and hat wearing a ridiculously huge, fake white beard. Santa Claus grinned ear-to-ear as he rang a bell, shouting “Ho,ho,ho,” and prompting passersby to donate loose change for a good cause.

A few more blocks and I saw the giant neon sign shiningNeville’sproudly. As far as I knew, it had never changed for as long as I’d lived at the Dome, and it had become my favorite eatery so close by.

I could smell the freshly roasted coffee as I approached the welcoming double-door. Hanging on one of the windows was another neon sign that had a design that looked like a coffee cup with the word OPEN underneath.

The door opened and the bell attached to the crash bar jingled, adding its little voice to the spirit of Christmas. A gentleman bundled up for the cold walked out, holding the door open for me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Merry Christmas,” the man replied as he let go and walked away.

“The same to you,” I called before the door shut.

“Welcome to Neville’s,” the hostess said with a smile. She wore a navy blue suit coat that matched her skirt and a white collared shirt underneath. On her head sat a Santa hat. “Would you like a seat at the bar, or are you waiting for your party to show up?”

I scanned the open area—the restaurant wasn’t busy, but it was late afternoon still—and saw Julian off in one of the corners, waving at me as inconspicuously as he could.

Smiling, I pointed toward the vampire. “It seems my party is already here.”

She nodded. “Wonderful. Go ahead and take a seat. Your waiter will be right with you.”

I looked at the hostess’s name tag. “Thank you, Janice.”

Passing several empty tables, I made my way to where Julian was stewing in the corner.

Julian stuck a single finger up in the air as I approached, causing me to stop and look curiously up at the ceiling.

“The music,” the vampire said with disgust.

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