Magic After Dark: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Margo Bond Collins

  “That’d be a first for me. I’ve never tried finding something like that.” She stops and closes her eyes.

  “I was only kidding.” I giggle.

  “Shhh, give me a second.” She clasps her hands together and squeezes them tight. “Go right at the next intersection and walk straight for a few blocks.”

  “Okay.” She opens her eyes, grabs my hand, and we rush down the sidewalk toward the intersection.

  “A little bit of faith, dear cousin, goes a long way.”

  We head down the street. I survey it as best I can. There is a real estate office, a small hardware store, and a Chinese food restaurant that appears to cater mostly to take-out. It’s refreshing not being surrounded by large corporate discount stores.

  We pass an alleyway that runs behind the shops. I bump into Nadya when she stops short. “There.” She points to a diner on the opposite corner across the street with a red and white ‘Help Wanted’ sign on the window.

  “Okay, that’s amazing. How the heck...” I’m dumbfounded.

  “Another service I’m good for.” She beams. “Let’s go in and ask about it.”

  “Do you know anyone that works there?”

  “Nope. We don’t eat in town much.” She starts across the empty two-way street.

  A few cars line the small parking lot on the side of the diner. An old-fashioned bell tied to the top of the door dings as Nadya enters.

  “Where are my keys?” a big burly man hollers through the kitchen.

  An elderly woman stands behind a cash register. “May I help you?”

  “I’m inquiring about the ‘Help Wanted’ sign.” I point toward the window. “What are you hiring for?”

  Nadya moves to the side looking at the brochure stand.

  “Are you from around here?” the old woman asks.

  “I just moved into town, staying near Cassadaga.” I fake a half-smile.

  “I asked where my keys are.” The heavy-set man draped in a white apron smeared with food grease comes around the corner.

  “Well, I don’t know where you left them,” the cranky cashier says. “It’s not my job.”

  “What have we here?” He scratches the stubble on his chin and grins at me. He’s missing one of his top teeth. “Are you here for the job?”

  “She’s not from around here.” She crosses her arms.

  “If I find your keys, will you hire my cousin?” Nadya says.

  The man looks at her and at me. “Have you ever waited tables?”

  I look around the small diner and see it only seats maybe 50 people. I’ve worked at busier establishments. “Always.”

  He turns to Nadya. “Okay, find my keys and she has a job.”

  “But—” the old lady says.

  “But, nothing, you old hag.” He pushes his back against her. “So, where are my keys.”

  Nadya skips past the counter, opens a draw opposite the cash register, and pulls out a string of keys.

  “I’ll be damned.” He scratches his head. “How’d you do that?”

  “It’s kooky, if you ask me,” the old lady says.

  “Lucky, I guess.” Nadya prances away.

  “Huh. Well, I’m Roger and this old bag is Abby.” He points his thumb in the air toward her. “Oh, and there’s Kyle in the back. Kyle!” He hollers toward the kitchen.

  A topaz-eyed, tousled wheat-haired impressive looking man pops his head out the window.

  “Yeah?” Kyle looks at Roger.

  “That’s Kyle.” Roger points to him. “He cooks from time to time...when he’s not out surfing and goofing around.”

  Kyle’s glittering eyes meet mine. He smiles. I see a depth in his eyes...it’s screaming to be exposed and understood. In that moment, the noise around us fades into low static.

  “Earth to, what is her name?” Roger breaks my concentration.

  “Alice. Her name’s Alice,” Nadya replies.

  A flush creeps up my face. “Yes, sorry, it’s Alice Murphy.”

  “Every single time.” Roger rolls his eyes and stares at Abby. “He always gets that same damn reaction.”

  Nadya twinkles her fingers at Kyle. He grins and backs up, hitting his head on the metal rolling rack that holds the orders.

  “Can you start tonight?” Roger asks.

  “Yes. What time?”

  “Be here by five for the evening shift.” Roger pats Abby on the back. “Abby can show you the ropes.

  “Gladly.” Abby’s mouth sets in a hard line.

  “Great. Thank you.” I hold my hand out and Roger grabs it firmly. “See you later.”

  Nadya holds the door open for me. I glance over my shoulder toward the kitchen and see Kyle watching me.

  “This is like one of the best days ever,” Nadya says. “I mean, you come to town and we have a real cousin, you find a job right away, and we now know where the sexiest man in town works. I’ll be stalking him all the time.” She looks through the diner window. “I need to turn my radar to find more hot guys.”

  “Thank you.” I nudge her forward down the sidewalk.

  “I should be thanking you.” She stops at the corner of the diner where no one inside can see us. “But, he was eyeing you the entire time. I don’t even think he realized I was in the room.”

  “That’s not true. He was just being nice since they hired me.” Part of me wants Nadya’s statement to be true, but I’m sure a guy like that has a string of girlfriends in line. Heck, he’s probably got a waiting list.

  “Either you’re blind or in denial. He even smacked his head.” She grabs her head to demonstrate. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  “Well, it’s too bad we’ll be working together, because you can’t date people you work with.”

  “Says who?” One of her eyebrows arch. “If you don’t want him I call dibs.”

  “You don’t have a boyfriend? You’re beautiful! I’m sure some guy will grab you up soon.”

  “Yeah, right. Have you met my family? They’re a bunch of loons. Besides, Ma wouldn’t go for it. She says it would dilute our genes to date anyone who wasn’t Roma.” She frowns.

  “Are you serious?”

  She nods.

  “Are there Roma families around other than yours—I mean ours?”

  “Not that I know of. We haven’t traveled with our kind for a long time now. Ma said it was too dangerous, but never really said much more. I think she was spurned by love. Pa drank a lot and Ma had enough, so she left him with his family and we never looked back.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” I walk down the street and step in front of the alleyway.

  A huge, lifted truck barrels through the alley...the alley I just stepped in front of.

  Chapter 8

  Hands grab my shoulders and pull me back. I fall into a heavy pair of arms and look up into my topaz-eyed savior: Kyle. My heart races a mile per minute. Screeching, the truck stops a few feet from me. He pushes me upward on my feet. Nadya’s hands cover her mouth as she backs against the brick wall of the building.

  “Are you crazy?” Kyle yells at the truck driver.

  The tinted windows on the driver’s door, and the door behind it, lower.

  “Why the hell were you speeding down the damn alleyway? You could have killed someone and almost did.” Kyle points at me.

  The driver turns his head slowly, as if it’s an inconvenience to notice to us. He sweeps his tawny-brown shoulder-length hair from his face, revealing his rugged short facial hair. He glares at Kyle and eyes me.

  A stocky guy, in the backseat, forms an odd-twisted grin, his eyes moving back and forth from Kyle to the driver. A girl in the front seat next to the driver glares at me while chomping on gum as if I’m the rude party in this bizarre encounter.

  “It’s all right,” Nadya comforts Kyle with her hands, while slowly edging him further away from the truck. She jerks her head to the side, motioning me to move back. “No harm done.”

  “Bullshit!” Kyle brushes her away
. “He’s a fucking selfish asshole. He’s not even apologizing.”

  The truck driver’s stare doesn’t leave me and he still doesn’t say one word.

  The girl in the front seat shoves the driver. “Let’s go, Colin.”

  The windows roll back up, but Colin’s gaze follows me.

  “Let’s get out of here, Alice,” Nadya pleads. “Let’s go shopping before you need to work.”

  “Shopping?” I break eye contact. The truck turns left, racing down the street.

  “Are you okay?” Kyle asks.

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “Yes, thank you hunky Kyle.” Nadya pushes me forward. “We have to get going so we have time to shop before Alice has to work.”

  “See you later.” Kyle waves, walking to the rear of the diner.

  “What was that about?” I ask.

  “Do you remember when we were talking about what Emilian’s ability was?”

  I nod.

  “Remember when I said there was a pack of werewolves living in town?”

  I stop on the sidewalk in front of a vacant office space. “You mean the people in the truck are werewolves?” I laugh. I can’t help it.

  “That’s Colin Moore. He’s like their leader or alpha or something. Laugh all you want, but I’m telling you to stay away from them.” Nadya walks ahead of me.

  I jog to keep up. “Sorry, but it sounds ridiculous.” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth and a tinge of guilt forms.

  “You don’t believe?” Nadya asks. “In all your life, you’ve never run across a nightwalker or shifter?”

  “I can’t say I have. It’s imaginary stuff.”

  “It’s nightmare stuff. We can’t seem to lose them.” Nadya presses the crosswalk button. A few people throw coins into the fountain in the center of town.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Everywhere we move, and we move often, there always seems to be a pack in town. It’s like they are everywhere, infesting every town.”

  “Werewolves?” I ask. “Have you ever seen someone change into a wolf?”

  “Well, no.”

  “But, you’re sure they exist and you trust your brother’s word?” I ask.

  She faces me with a serious expression. “Alice, you have to trust family. They’re all you have sometimes.”

  I remain quiet, thinking about Dad. I’ve always relied on his guidance and ability. When he said move, we moved. When he told me about the Hunters, I believed him...believe him. I saw them with my own eyes, chasing me, like he always warned me. They want us dead.

  “Fonso is here.” Nadya looks across the fountain, watching Fonso reading on a bench. “I guess our shopping trip will have to wait.”

  “Are you angry with me?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “No. I’m mentally worn out from the day.”

  “Thank you again for helping me with the job.” I hug her.

  “Do you mind if I visit you at your place sometime? It’s nice to get away from the house once in a while.”

  “Sure. Any time.”

  She rushes across the street. She and Fonso wave.

  Had she stayed a moment longer, I might have asked about the Hunters. Surely, if she believes in vampires and werewolves, she might know something of the Hunters.

  I have an hour before work so I decide to buy a tea at the coffee shop. I sit outdoors to soak in a few rays of light before the darkness creeps up. A bus comes to a stop...the stop that I’ll take home later. It lingers on the edge of town, on the road that runs straight to the campground. This is probably one of the less complicated towns I’ve ever stayed in.

  The day’s events swarm through my head the instant I sit at the pewter table. Nadya’s belief Colin and his friends are werewolves seems so strong it’s almost believable. All of my cousin’s stated abilities, with the exception of Fonso, makes me think about Dad and his gift. He always knew when we needed to leave...when we were found by the Hunters. Nadya did seem great at finding things...the keys, the job. She has me believing in her hidden talent. Perhaps she can locate Dad for me. That would mean I’d need to confide in her with my purpose for being here. I’d have to tell the truth...my real story.

  Five o’clock nears and I’m nervous. It’s always scary starting at new job in a new place, but now I’ll be dealing with a gorgeous Kyle on top of it. Some of the shops start closing as I walk toward the diner. The coffee shop stays open late, as well as the tiny theater across the road.

  Before I cross the street, a loud engine revs near me. It’s the tinted monster truck from earlier. It intentionally creeps up next to me. I pick up my pace and it moves forward, matching my step. He’s toying with me.

  I back up and run behind it to the other side of the street. Colin rolls down his window. He’s alone this time.

  “What?” I wait for the reply that doesn’t come.

  Colin’s hair covers the side of his face, but I see him staring at me.

  He revs his engine and takes off.

  The diner bell is a welcome sound.

  “Hello,” I greet Abby, who leans against the back counter.

  “Here you are.” Abby reaches into a drawer and pulls out a ticket pad and pen. “Write down what they want and put it on that silver circular thing there.” She points toward the kitchen window. “If you get bored, tidy up behind the counter—that’s your station, too. And we don’t have no busboy to clean tables either, so that duty falls on you.”

  “Got it.” I take the pad and pen from her. “Are there any other waitresses?”

  “We have two girls who handle breakfast, but you’ll be our night waitress. We always have a hard time keeping someone for that shift.” Abby leans back against the counter.

  “Why is that?”

  She shrugs.

  “Okay.” I walk around the counter to my new post, surveying what I’m dealing with. There’s a drink and salad station. It’s all relatively simple.

  “She’s a bunch of fun, isn’t she?” Kyle says from the kitchen. He smiles and nods toward Abby.

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s slow, but it’ll pick up soon.” Kyle dries his hands with a cloth. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

  “Thanks.”

  I study the menu. Customers roll in. For the next five hours, business stays steady, and our only conversations center around the food orders.

  Abby leaves at 10:00PM, placing me in charge of cashing out the guests on top of serving them. The last hour drags since only a few hungry customers stagger in and out. Most of the patrons are younger and talk about a movie they watched at the theater.

  Roger walks in from the back. I didn’t see him the entire evening. “How was your first night?”

  “It went well.” I place my pen and pad into the drawer. “It was busy for a while, but I managed.”

  “Excellent.” Roger turns the ‘open’ sign off and locks the door. “Seems like you cleaned up the tables and behind the counter pretty good.”

  “Thank you.” I take off the borrowed apron and place it on the hook against the wall.

  “Now, we didn’t talk about pay or anything, and I’m sure you are anxious to get on your way, but are you agreeable to working five evenings per week at a flat rate of two hundred dollars cash plus tips?” Roger scratches his chin. “This way we don’t need to do all that nasty paperwork. I got two women for the morning shifts, but you would be our main night server. Abby will take the other two nights.”

  “Roger, that sounds great to me.” I hold out my hand.

  He smiles and shakes it. “Alice, I think this will work out fine.”

  He opens the cash register and starts placing the cash into a deposit bag.

  “I’ll come in about this time every night and close out so you can head on home.” Roger shuts the register. “See you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow.” I head toward the front door. Roger follows behind.

  “Wait, I’m com
ing.” Kyle pops out from the kitchen. “Back door is locked Roger, and Felipe is finishing up the dishes.”

  “Thanks Kyle. See ya.” Roger locks the door behind us.

  “What did you think?” Kyle asks.

  “It’s a cute diner. Roger seems nice.” I scratch my sore shoulder, recalling lugging my duffel bag around in New Orleans.

  “Yeah, it’s a laid back place. I think that’s what I like about it.”

  “How long have you worked here?”

  “Not long. Only a few months.” Kyle points to a Jeep. “Do you need a lift home?”

  “No, that’s okay.”

  “Are you sure? It’s no trouble.” He smiles.

  “Thank you, but I prefer to walk to wind down.” I wave and walk toward town.

  “Bye Alice.” Kyle waves.

  I glance back when I’m across the street and see him watching me. I wave again before I turn the corner. The coffee shop is closed and the theater is dark. I guess they don’t have late hours here.

  The light above the bus stop is out. A tall, looming figure leans against the glass. It’s Colin.

  Chapter 9

  “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?” Colin asks.

  “Let me guess...your entire life?” I give him a half-fake smile. “Where’s your big truck? You want to try to run me over again?”

  A minor electric feeling passes through me the closer I move toward Colin.

  He smiles, revealing gleaming white teeth. He’s taller than I imagined, standing at least 6’3” with a muscular barrel-chest. He sports a nice tan, which is slightly darker than my olive complexion. “I formally apologize for nearly running you over earlier, my lady.” He bows.

  “Was that so hard?” I sit on the bench. “Apologizing, that is. Maybe you didn’t want to appear weak in front of your friends. You just stared and said nothing.”

  I watch the tree lines across the street, trying to appear uninterested, but all I want to do is turn and study him. This feeling...it’s as if he were a magnet and I was iron...I’m drawn to him.