Page 63 of A Lesson in Deceit
She sighed dramatically. “True. I am one of a kind, but if she’s one of your best friends, I think she’ll understand more than you think. I understand keeping it from all your boyfriends, but not from your girls.”
She plucked my phone off my dresser and handed it to me. “Hustle, babe.”
I sighed, scrolling till I found my text thread with Marianne.
Can you get a ride to Marth Moon?
MARIANNE
I could, but why would I do that?
Meet me there, please.
MARIANNE
Isn’t that the wolf shifter bar in Mill Valley?
Yup. I promise I’ll explain everything when you get there.
MARIANNE
Here I thought we were just getting sushi tonight. You’ve gone and went all mysterious on me. Sure, I’ll head that way when I get home and grab the car from my mom.
I swung my phone between my fingers. “It’s done.”
River had finally textedme back, professing how sorry he was that he hadn’t responded and he would make it up to me tomorrow night. I sat in the passenger seat of Corrin’s car and watched the trees go by as we turned down another street. The woods were getting a little thicker the deeper we went, but surprisingly there were still signs of civilization.
Neon lights and signs that matched came into view. Corrin parked on the gravel lot, turning off her car. I looked around noticing that Marianne’s car wasn’t here yet, so I got out, taking in my surroundings. The Marth Moon sign glowed brightly in a yellowish hue with a half-moon over the N. The parking lotwasn’t packed, but it wasn’t exactly empty. Laughter could be heard from inside and a few patrons were hanging out along the perimeter. The smell of cigarette smoke and something else filled my nostrils.
I sniffed the air, trying to figure out what it was.
“That’s the marth.”
“The what?”
Corrin motioned for me to follow her towards the building. “While also being a decently well-known shifter bar, they are also pretty sought after for brewing their own beer. Instead of yeast, they use marth. It has more of a scent, but it makes the most delicious drinks.”
“And they just magically get this marth…how?”
Corrin gave me a devious smile. “Witches. There are a few ingredients you need to make it, but you also need magic to finalize the product. They had someone for years and then after I’d been with Mateo for a while, I offered up my services. Potions chemistry saves the day.”
We walked up the steps and Corrin opened up the door for me. It was warm inside, which was a drastic change from the slightly chilly night air. There were a few pool tables, a life size game of checkers and an area that catered to the game of darts.
Tables and chairs were littered throughout the middle and the bar sat to the left, a few overhead lights along the top. A couple of TVs were placed in specific spots and that marth smell grew more and more potent. There was a well-worn couch in the front corner, now being preoccupied by a couple who were very into each other at the moment.
Corrin smiled at the girl at the bar, waving and walking over. “Where are they?”
The girl wiped her hands on a wet cloth and bit her full bottom lip. She had long silky, brown ringlets and light brownskin. “No idea. Stepped out I think. They get a little frustrated when the brew doesn’t turn out perfect the first time.”
Corrin looked as if she understood the meaning behind this girl’s words. She turned to me, taking off her jacket and placing it on the stool next to her. “So, sometimes Mateo likes to go outside and…”
She was cut off when a loud cry was heard from outside.
The girl jumped over the bar, while we stayed close behind her, running out the door. The people from outside were now in clusters, looking fairly confused but also very interested to know what the fuck was going on.
“What happened?” The bartender asked one of the guys trying to look out in the distance.
He shook his head. “No idea. Just heard the scream. Like something out of a horror movie.”
