Page 5 of Rescued By the Beast
He could be my grandfather!
The landlord walks past me, his shoulder brushing against mine, making me shudder with disgust.
"See you on Monday, Miss Black," he mutters, walking down the stairs.
I don't look back, I just keep walking, trying to hold back the tears.
Inside the flat, I put the shopping on the counter and stare at the cubicle I call home.
Two days. I only have two days to pay what I owe.
I need more tips at the tavern.
I need a miracle!
When it's time to get ready for work, I rummage through the clothes folded on the chair. Maybe a generous neckline will bring me more tips. With a blouse and trousers that mould my curves, I look at myself in the mirror and let out a breath, trying not to think about how all this wears me down.
If that's what I need to do to make more money, so be it. I can't afford to hesitate. I've done worse things.
As soon as I finish putting on my boots, ready to leave, my mobile phone vibrates in the middle of the mess with a text message alert.
I rummage through the room, following the sound, until I find the blessed thing under the clothes I threw on the mattress. Losing things has become almost a speciality of mine — keys, mobile phone, always a daily challenge. Part of it is because my mind is always jumping from one thing to another, distracted by any detail that catches my attention. Sometimes, just the glint of a bracelet forgotten on the floor is enough to make me lose my train of thought.
I unlock the screen, and the message is from Luther.
Luther: Have you left home yet?
Me: Not yet. Why?
Luther:I'm on my way. I'll pick you up in 10 minutes.
A sigh of relief escapes without me noticing.
What a nice surprise. He lives on the other side of town, but I'm not crazy enough to question why he's offering me a lift now.
There's nothing better than not having to walk twenty minutes to the pub in the middle of the night.
Me: Thank you! You're an angel.
His response comes quickly, almost instantly.
Luther: Angels don't expect a kiss as payment.
I let out a low laugh, shaking my head as I send a laughing emoji back.
Me: Dream on, Luther.
Luther: It costs nothing to dream.
I bite my lip, stifling a laugh. Luther is handsome, charismatic, and an unscrupulous womaniser, always on the lookout for his next conquest.
And as unbearably shameless as he is, he's one of the few people I consider a friend in this crazy supernatural world I live in.
Chapter 2
Mark
"So, what are we dealing with?" My voice reverberates through the room, deep and authoritative, silencing the murmur of voices among the employees gathered around the long oak table.
