Page 25 of Nightmare For Hire
Dani snorts. “Oh, maybe you should do that.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think Cy is big on revenge. I think he just wants to move on and live his life. So how do I make him happy?”
“What are other Nightmares like? Because you are so weird sometimes.” Dani laughs as he leans his head on my shoulder. “You hardly know this guy and you already latched on.”
“If you recall, I did the same thing to you.” I grab his hand and squeeze.
Dani giggles. “And I can still remember how jealous Maddox was until he understood that you and I are just friends.”
“Bestfriends,” I pout. “And we’re having a dance party at my place soon, so be ready.”
“Always am.”
“Okay. I should probably see if I can figure this all out.”
“Before you leave. I know youlikeCyrus, but is it romantic? Or friendly like us, or something else? Before you mentioned not wanting or needing romance, but now…”
“I… still need to do that research you mentioned about sex and attraction. I feel like we had an instant connection. He’s nice to look at. His eyes are so—”
“I know. I know.” Dani laughs. “You love his eyes.”
“He’s soothing to talk to. We click. And right now, I just kind of want to make sure he’s safe from Mick. If nothing else, I’ll have another bestie. Am I allowed to have more than one?”
Dani pushes on my shoulder. “I’ll be number one, right?”
“Duh. He can be bestie two.”
“We’re ridiculous.” Dani snorts and I hand him one last chocolate before heading to my apartment. I have some things to look into, but mostly, I need to keep Mick away from Cyrus. Because now Cy is under the protection of a Nightmare.
But Dani has me wondering.DoNightmares have fated mates? I have one person I can turn to. My creature cousin, Eldritch Horror, Cael. We’re not the same, but close enough thatover the eons we’ve crossed paths and gotten to know each other a bit. While I’m chaotic, he’s more calm and philosophical. And humans areterrifiedof him. I do not envy him. He’s playing by the human rules with the whole visa thing after I told him to show them exactly why he doesn’t need one. There are just some things that go bump in the night no one can control.
Sliding down into my couch, I pull my phone from my purse.
Nox: Do we have fated mates? Have you heard? Is that a thing for us?
I watch my phone, waiting for his answer. Sometimes he takes a bit of time, probably because he knows it’s me.
Cael: Nox, dear cousin. We are eternal and have existed for eons.
Ugh. Why can’t he ever just outright give me an answer?
The little dots bounce as he continues.
Cael: Fate has also existed for eons, from a human perspective, so perhaps this Monster Match app has tapped into the nexus of the universe and MADE it possible. It certainly feels possible, and after all, what our kind feels, thinks, and desires tends to become reality.
I bounce on the cushions.
Nox: So that’s a YES, right? Right?
Maybe, just maybe, Cyrusismy fated mate. And what luck that with billions of people and monsters and creatures on the planet, I found mine. My nonexistent heart flutters and I clutch my phone to my chest. But soon my phone buzzes again.
Cael: Perhaps. If we decide we want something badly enough, it can be true.
Nox: One day I’ll get a simple answer from you.
Cael: But that day is not today ;)
I snort and send him back an emoji with its tongue sticking out.
