Page 48 of The Devil's Waltz

Oh no! I’m so sorry. Can I bring you anything?

I feel bad for lying, especially when her first response is to offer help, but the thought of seeing anyone right now makes my stomach churn.

Thanks, Pheebs. I’m okay.

After I send that message, I type one to the owner of Hallowed Grounds, using the same excuse to call out of work. Without waiting for a response, I turn off my phone, closing it in the drawer of my nightstand before rolling over and curling into myself.

Over the next week, I barely leave my bed. I haven’t heard from Xander since he left, but I haven’t stopped thinking about him. Replaying our last encounter on a loop in my head until my eyes are burning with tears and my stomach is clenched so tightly it hurts.

If it weren’t for Harper, I likely wouldn’t eat or drink anything, either. She even dragged me out of the burrow of pillows and blankets to force me to shower. When she’s not training, she’s with me, going so far as to skip class herself to make sure I’m okay.

But when I woke up this morning, I didn’t let myself even consider staying in bed any longer. I got up, took a shower, and dressed for work.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I frown at my expression. I may not have had the flu, but I look pretty wrecked. After applying makeup, it’s a little better. It doesn’t really matter—I can’t skip work anymore. I still need to make money to pay for school, and theofferfrom my mother isn’t something I’m actually considering, so this is what I have to do. Pretend my life didn’t just implode and serve people coffee all day.

I arrive for my shift a few minutes early and slip into the back office to hang up my jacket and bag. The owner is sitting behind the old desk, squinting at her computer screen.

“Hey, Marion. How are you?”

She looks up and smiles warmly. “Cami, sweetheart. I hope you’re feeling better. Can I speak with you quickly before your shift starts?”

My pulse ticks faster as unease trickles in. “Uh, sure,” I tell her, closing the door, then sit in the chair across from her.

“I let the rest of the staff know last week that I’ve decided to retire.”

“Oh, wow. That’s…um, congratulations.” I’m not sure what else to say.

She smiles. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren.”

I nod. “So are you selling the café?”

“I considered that, but after speaking with my children about it, we decided it was best to close. Business hasn’t been doing very well for some time now and the process of selling a business isn’t easy. Quite frankly, I’m too old to deal with all of that. Shutting things down is what I need to do.”

“I understand,” I say, trying to mask my disappointment. “When are you closing?”

“The end of the month. That said, I’m letting the majority of the staff go now, which unfortunately includes you after your shift today. I’m very sorry, Cami.” She tries to offer me another smile, but it appears forced paired with the sadness in her eyes.

“I understand,” I say automatically and stand to walk out for my shift.

As much as I needed the distraction of work to keep my mind off the situation with Xander, now that I’m officially unemployed, I can’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to my last conversation with my mom. The last thing I want to do is consider re-enrolling at the academy. The life of a demon hunter is not what I want. But I hate how tempting the offer is feeling right now.

No. I’ll start job searching when I get home and find something that works on my terms. This is a minor setback. I will figure things out.I have to. I won’t let them win—not Xander and Lucia, or the organization.

At the end of my shift, I hang up my apron and shrug on my jacket before shouldering my bag, waving to the barista on my way out the front door. The weather has cooled down—given it’s the first week of October, it’s to be expected. I zip up my jacket, slide my hands into the pockets, and walk down the sidewalk toward the parking garage where I left my car. I cross the street, then stop abruptly when someone cuts into my path.

“You look like a woman on a mission,” an accented male voice drawls, and I get a subtle whiff of warm cinnamon.

Immediately I step back, pulling my hands out of my pockets, and when my eyes meet vibrant green ones, they narrow. Because there isn’t a chance Xander’s pink-haired friend being here right now is a coincidence. Which brings me to the conclusion that Blake is likely a demon, too. Considering it’s broad daylight and there are clusters of people around, I’m less concerned, but still uneasy when it comes to his motives.

He flashes a dazzling smile, cocking his head to the side as he regards me. Today he’s wearing a lime green V-neck under a black leather jacket, paired with white jeans and black combat boots. “Hello, love.”

“What do you want, Blake?” I ask in a careful tone, stepping to the side to let a few people pass us as I give him a once-over. I can’t figure out this guy’s style.

His smile widens. “You remember me. I’m touched.” He rocks back on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“And I’m not going to stand here and talk to you.”

Blake’s smile morphs into a pout. “Mean. What did I ever do to you?”

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