Page 13 of Lunar Desires
Molly gave me a smile then opened the door, disappearing inside.
Drake placed his hand on the base of my spine, encouraging me forward.
“What is this place?” I asked, my throat as dry as sand.
“It’s a safehouse for the needy,” he responded. “Me and Molly go way back.”
“That we do,” the goblin said from inside the secret room. “Not quite besties, but good friends for sure.”
For a moment, a flutter of panic forced me to stop. I glanced about, strangled by anxiety. I trusted Drake and his judgment, especially considering his friendship with Molly. Going way back with someone counted for something, right?
Okay. We were fine here. Safer than out there. My anxiety ebbed, my instincts telling me we were good for a bit.
Check me out, being all vigilant. There was definitely grit in my sparkle now. Not enough to dull it, but enough to make me think. People didn’t get to have trust handed over to them, no matter who they were.
Grit and blood everywhere…
I shuddered, flashing back momentarily to killing my uncle. Or not killing him, I should say.
Grit and blood…
“Riley?” Drake said gently.
He pulled me back from a panic attack. “I’m… I just really need to sit down.”
“Welcome, welcome, welcome,”Molly announced cheerfully.
She stood beside a pink three-seater sofa. Behind her was a black kitchen work surface with a sink at its center and cupboards above it. There was a kettle, microwave, and biscuit tin spread across it—all the same shade of pink.
A second door led to a tiny bathroom with a small sink and toilet, slightly obscured by a half-open, pink curtain.
The walls and ceiling were covered in rock star posters again, and a TV on brackets hung in the left corner, playing CCTV images of the shop and the street outside.
The witchcops continued to patrol.
“Bad day for business,” the goblin complained. “Forced everyone inside or out of Lower Marsh due to an incident at Waterloo.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve got customers due to collect some big orders today.”
“Lower Marsh?” I said.
“Name of the street, babycakes.”
Molly filled the kettle, glancing over her shoulder at me. “Are you having doubts about me?”
I knew for a fact I blanched with horror. “I… What?”
“It’s completely fine if you are, babycakes.” She flicked the switch on the kettle. “I get it. You have every right to be cautious.”
I rubbed at my throat. “Sorry. I mean… Well…” Crapping hell. “What I mean to say is I did for a moment. But Drake trusts you and…” I trailed off there.
Drake touched my hand as if in thanks.
The goblin shook her head. “Never be sorry for questioning anything.” Her smile lit up her face.
I tugged on my collar, parking my butt on the sofa, foot bumping the pink coffee table. “How could you tell?” Had I been that obvious on the outside? Ugh. I’d have to cultivate a poker face.
“Reading.” A glint, like sunlight on a fleck of glitter, pinged in her right eye. “I get a sense of emotions. A little tickle of understanding, if you will. Don’t worry, I can’t read your mind or anything.”
Thank Hecate for that. “I’m good now. It’s just this has all been a lot.”
